Scott McClellan: White House Wanted Me To Stay Silent (VIDEO)

Former White House press secretary Scott McClellan spoke out for the first time since excerpts of his new memoir set Washington abuzz, saying on NBC's Today show that he was answering a "higher loyalty" than his affection for President Bush: "loyalty to the truth."

Video of the segment is below, and here are some highlights via Politico:

"The White House would prefer that I not talk openly about my experiences," he said in a lengthy, at time combative interview with anchor Meredith Viera. "These words didn't come to me easy. ... I'm disappointed that things didn't turn out the way we all hoped they would."

He added: "I have a higher loyalty ... than my loyalty to my past work. I have a loyalty to the truth."

Asked if he'll ever talk to the president again, McClellan said: "I don't know. I certainly don't expect it any time soon. I know this is a tough book for some people to accept."

McClellan's book, "What Happened: Inside the Bush White House and Washington's Culture of Deception," has provoked a furious counterattack from his former colleagues, who call it "sad," "puzzling" and "pathetic."

McClellan accused Vice President Cheney of failing his boss. "In a number of ways, he has not served the president well," McClellan said. "Part of it is the secrecy and compartmentalization ... in the White House."

And McClellan said Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, when she was White House national security adviser, gave in too often to Cheney and former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld.

"I felt that too often she was too accommodating ... of the other strong personalities on the foreign policy team ... and too deferential to those individuals," he said.

Former presidential counselor Dan Bartlett, following McClellan on "Today," said McClellan had used "very inflammatory words" like "propaganda," with "not a lot of evidence."

"He never communicated to us that he had these personal misgivings," Bartlett said. "There's not a lot of specific evidence about the most explosive charges."

Comments

[JackLivigni]

I think McClellan has done an important service to this country by raising a voice of warning against the dangers of unchallenged idealism. "Sometimes you climb a ladder just to find you have leaned it up against the wrong wall..."

[nibblybits]

"Unchallenged idealism"?

I think you mean unchallenged cynicism. Certainly the neo-cons manipulated the public in a way most opposite of idealism.

[swift goat pet for truth]

LOL!!

And ex-Treasury Sec, Paul O'Neill's book? And Dick Clarke's book?
and all those ex-generals?
How about Stephen Colbert two years ago?

But, no, you wanna believe McClellan.

You need to wake up and pay attention in class.

[whsmith]

wow, you have got to be kidding me. the final punchline - he compares Obama to Bush and praises McCain - what a genuinely laughable political move Mr. McClellan.

[olivia]

He hasn't learned a thing, has he!

Opportunist, switching positions to make the most money.

[robXdion]

I've barely heard McCain say anything about "ending the permanent campaign". Maybe once or twice, but not enough to be the campaign theme McClellan claims it is.

[suzyhein]

where does he compare obama to bush? in the book?

[kinderworld]

In the interview. He compared Obama's promise to change the way Washington works to their own promises that they did not keep. I am not sure whether he is motivated by conscience or $$$$, I just cannot trust him. It would have meant more if he had resigned 2 years ago and written the book then. It is too late now, I have to wonder...Besides I knew all this 6 years ago, there is nothing new in his book for many of us.

[PrdAmerican]

Glad I wasn't the only one to pick up on that one!

[Nonamnesiac]

Although Scott's conscience for being one of those responsible for the deaths and maimings of tens of thosuands of Americans and hundreds of thousands of Iraqis, against the interests of the United States probably prompted him to come clean, the information is not new.

Although I agree with him that the media cheerled us into war by consciously lying about the overwhelmingly intelligence at the time which demonstrated that Saddam had no WMDs, was an enemy of al Qaeda and that removing Saddam would cause a calamity and strengthen Iran, and has lied since then by opposing immediate, safe withdrawal, in effect keeping the death and maimings against US interests continuing, none of this is new.

As the media has exposed all of this long ago despite its complicity, the reason it continues is because the Democrats have collaborated with the occupation and murder and maimings against US interests by authorizing and funding it and by refusing to impeach and remove Bush and Cheney. They have sanctioned, and participated in crimiinal activity.

[RTIII]

Frankly, I think key Dems are being blackmailed - it's the only explanation that makes sense...

[Nonamnesiac]

Another possibility is the Dems are just as committed to this as the Reps. and that if Al Gore had been elected he too would have invaded Iraq, given 9/11. Many will say otherwise, but I honestly don't know, and having watched Nancy Pelosi actively support the murdering and maiming of US troops and Iraqis while trying to appear as if she is against it, I am as open to Dems = Reps. on the occupation and staying there forever as I am to that Dems are cowards or being blackmailed. That's my family they are putting in harm's way in order to hurt the US andf help Iran and every day Congress keeps it going is another day US interests are injured.

[thetiger1974]

Good job Scott. I guess someone in politics has a SOUL. The man just self reflected thats ALL. They keep saying he has no proof. HAHAHA AND IF HE DID IT WOULD BE TOP SECRET SO OF COURSE HE HAS NO PROOF. ATLEAST SOMEONE IN THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION WILL GO TO HEAVEN FOR SAYING I AM SORRY FOR MY MISTAKES IN THE FREAKED UP POLICY THAT IS GETTING OUR FAMILY MEMEBER KILLED IN IRAQ. ITS CLEAR NOW, AND FOR A WHILE HAS BEEN THE SOLDIERS IN IRAQ ARE DYING TO NOT PROTECT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, BUT TO PROTECT THE FACE OF THE AMERICAN WHITE HOUSE AND ITS CURRENT ADMINISTRATION. LIKE THAT COMMENT OR NOT, YOU KNOW ITS THE TRUTH.

[swift goat pet for truth]

Soul?

For Scotty, soul is spelt $$$$$.

Get real. He's a Republican.
The only thing that matter's is his bank account.

[ccmd]

Barack Obama: City of Blinding lights
http://digg.com/2008_us_elections/Barack_Obama_Portland_Oregon_City_of_Blinding_Lights

[suzyhein]

do they have to get u2 permission to use songs? i wonder what the great one Bono thinks of BO always coming onstage to his songs?

[ccmd]

Barack Obama getting Closer
http://digg.com/2008_us_elections/Barack_Obama_Getting_Closer

[renodave]

New book deal: "If I Started the Iraq War to keeps its oil off the market to raise the price to benefit the Domestic Oil Industry this is how I would have done it" by D. Cheney...