Was Steve Holland a "plant" at the press conference ? To help * and Blair?

[steve2470]

Another poster stated this possibility. What do all of you think ?

[ewagner]

1. I wouldn't doubt it

The way Andy Card was laughing when Steve Holland asked the question, I suspect that there was some premeditated larceny involved.

[Roland99]

2. Any video of it?

[wicket]

3. Not a video, but there is a screen capture at this site:

http://www.newshounds.us/2005/06/08/andy_card_let_us_in_on_the_joke.php

[doublethink]

4. The following thought crossed my mind ....

while watching this exchange yesterday at the propaganda conference .... I don't remember if it was Bush or Blair that called on the reporter involved but Bush stated something to the effect "Oh I see Andy is still with you" ..... I'm sure he said Andy because I wrote it down. Anyway it seemed odd, and I thought Blair should have responded back to Bush by saying "Oh and I see Gannon/Guckert is no longer with you" Haaaaa. :) .... Does Blair fly around 'Plants' in the media too? :shrug: It was a funny thought at the time though. Peace :)

[muriel_volestrangler]

6. 'Andy' is almost certainly Andrew Marr, the BBC's political editor

who had announced he's leaving that position soon (I think he's taking over David Frost's Sunday morning interview programme). I'm slightly surprised that Bush would know that, but perhaps his briefings mainly consist of who is likely to ask him questions, rather than, say, real policy matters.

[applegrove]

5. I assumed that was one of the reason's why Blair was allowed to visit?

US is never going to double its %GDP to foreign aid - so why else have a meeting with Blair? I mean the Conyers petition was growing. Bush had to say something. And those political operatives in the WH know how important a picture is. Nobody would believe Bush alone denying the value of the memo. So they needed Blair there to back him up.

As to why the question was asked - I think that could have been easily predicted seeing as how the minutes were from Britain and if anyone could give the question 'cover' it would be the presence of Blair right there who was at the meeting.