What's the impact of Ari leaving NOW?

[kainah]

Watching the press conference today, I couldn't help but think that Ari is getting out at a good time to keep his reputation "clean." Well, the balance of that is obviously that Scott McLellan is coming in at a TERRIBLE time. I remember when Joe ??? took over in the Clinton administration, in the midst of a scandal (how could it NOT have been?) and that was pretty smooth but that administration was used to dealing with scandal. This one isn't. So, what do people know about McClellan? Is he up to it??? Or will the press use this chance to really turn up the heat? They may not want to tear * down, but surely they DO want to get the upper hand over the "new boy on the block." Hmmmmm.........

Thoughts?

[quilp]

1. Good for the media. Bad for Bush.

Almost anyone Bush brings in is got to be more honest than Ari. Ari intimidated this spineless media for over two years. They have a chance to redeem themselves with an inexperience press secratary. I think they know they must take it.

[diamond14]

2. it takes a lot of practice to do a press conference well...even if

it is just a "regular" "normal" press conference...

and all Press Secretaries have a steep learning curve...that job is one that is NOT your regular PR person, or speaker for a corporation...

this is NOT a good time to begin a NEW JOB with a steep learning curve...and that is bad for the shrub...this is precisely the time when shrub needs a seasoned Press Secretary, who can tip-toe through a lot of lies and garbage...

one slip up from the NEW Press Secretary...and it'll be all over the world...the Press Secretary actually sits in on a lot of the INSIDE conversations in the White House...and might blurt something TRUE out at any time...plus, it's got to be easy to loose your temper...I don't think the press will be kind, because shrub himself has been really rotten to the press....

[ShaneGR]

3. Actually, I think this is the greatest thing ever

Some new guy gets to walk into the most hostile press core since either cum on the blue dress gate or Watergate. And I mean IN THE VERY middle of the game. He's gonna get slaughtered tomorrow.

[alaine]

6. I agree. Just like the press took revenge on Gore for

Clinton's sins. Ari is such an unbelievable behind, and not only will they be taking their anger about Ari out on this guy, but also Rumsfeld abuses the press more and more everyday in his press conferences. If they sense a weakness they will rip him apart. Once the ripping begins it will be unstoppable, I hope.

Has someone suggested to the Bush admin that they need to soften their relationship with the press now that the Iraq-gate scandals are breaking, and maybe get rid of Ari? Or did Cheney make Ari a private sector deal that he could not refuse? Or both?

[julka]

4. I think it's going to help them for awhile, at least.

I heard someone talking about McClelland on the radio.

they said he's very shy, non-confrontational, and isn't very comfortable in front of cameras.

are they trying to make that frothing pack of media hounds go easy on the poor thing?

chances are, they will, at least at the beginning, but it would be fun to see them just go at him immediately; try to get him explain all the circular logic, all the contradictory statements people like Condi and Rumsfeld have been spewing out lately.

or asking him when cheney's going to make himself available for questioning

[SoCalDem]

5. I think Ari "knew" that she shit would hit the fan

and he bailed "just in time"...He will write the ever ubiquitous book, and then probably turn up in Texas to work behiind the scenes with Karen Hughes..

He's not "retiring", he's just going "deep cover"....

Nothing happens serendipitously with them crew.. They have a master plan, and they follow it to the letter..


The new guy, will probably start out with a bit of a "honeymoon" and by the time that's over, they Bushies hope that the Niger story will have been relegated to page 20...


I sincerely hope that the journalists will NOT let up, but I fear that they will.

The fact that they have offices in the white house, and that they consider themselves "friendly" with the staffers, makes them less likely to hound Bush and his staff..

They are the ultimate "embedded journallists"..

They traded courage for convenience....integrity for access..:(

[caledesi]

7. Agree SCD...Ari knew what was coming and got out.