Dana Perino Daily Show Goodbye (VIDEO)

Ahh, Dana Perino! We'll miss her! Last night, President Bush's diminutive flack made another appearance on The Daily Show, a venue which, to her credit, she's always managed to present herself as a gracious and likable guest. But, this being her last time -- before she writes her "tell-all where some restrictions apply to the 'tell' and the 'all'" book about her time in the White House, host Jon Stewart wanted to know what the mood was like in the last twelve days of the Bush administration.

"I liken it to graduating from high school or college," Perino said, "because there's an end date, and you're going to have to leave." Finally, the White House gets into "timetables for withdrawal!"

Perino also mentioned that they've planned no pranks, akin to the alleged missing W's on the computer keyboards left behind by the Clinton White House. "During the campaign someone asked if we would remove all of the O's," Perino said, "and I said how do you know we won't remove all the M's and the C's." No one in the audience understood what on earth she was talking about, and finally Stewart had to explain that she was referring to John McCain, because ha ha, everyone hated that guy.

Perino was much better at setting them up for Stewart:

STEWART: Does [the President] seem happy? Does he seem sad? Does he seem drunk?

PERINO: He never seems drunk! He doesn't drink!

[PAUSE]

STEWART: Right.

Stewart went on to criticize the Bush administration for the very few areas they are leaving in a condition better than they inherited. Perino was quick to disagree, perplexedly suggesting that the Bush administration had effected significant improvements abroad: "I disagree on foreign policy. As compared to what? When we got there?" To be fair, she's only recently gotten up to speed on the Cuban Missile Crisis. In another decade, maybe she'll hear about how Bush's totally awesome plan to create democracies in the Middle East led to the rise* of Hamas and Hezbollah and left Iraq under the influence of Iranian hardliners. That will be neat!

Perino did get this right: "The media was obsessed over what [the former, current, and future Presidents] had for lunch, the color of their ties. They don't talk about substance." Yes. LUCKY FOR YOU, DANA. We'll see you around.

[WATCH.]

The Daily Show With Jon StewartM - Th 11p / 10c

Dana Perino

Barack Obama Interview
John McCain Interview

Sarah Palin Video
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*Written too quickly, words chosen poorly. I would contend that the President's policies have undeniably spurred bolder postures from both Hamas and Hezbollah, and enhanced their influence(s) in the region. But I don't want to confuse the issue. Clearly neither Hamas nor Hezbollah came into being during the Bush administration. I apologize for not being clear.

Comments

[portateck]

I wonder what the majority of you are going to do once obama gets in office.
Who will you spew hatred about then. You will probably cling to your blame bush mentalities for the next 4 yrs (I have a feeling that obama is going to be another carter) and then when we get a real president you can go back to your conspiracy theories

[lunchlady]

One of Carter's mistakes was looking worried, and trying to explain complex issues to the public. The public hates both those things. They preferred Reagan's style- confident, comforting, heartwarming stories. Carter was President in a time of doubledigit inflation and Islamic fundamentalists were taking over in the Middle East.
"Conspiracy theories" is a term is see being used to dismiss any discussions of the outgoing administration's shortcomings.
And what is a "real President"? What features does a "real President"?

[ZoeyMO]

Reagan was president for last big recession. His style of confident, heartwarming stories allowed him to trash the economy of the country and its laws. He got off on the Iran-Contra affair without even a slap on the wrist. Wonder which recent GOP president learned all the lessons about "confident, heartwarming stories"? Give me a president who looks worried and tries to explain complex issues (instead of just ignoring the fact that they ARE complex) any day.

[petalpusher]

Oh please. Blah, blah, blah blah, blah.

What's your idea of a "real" president? McCain? Bush?? Ha, ha, ha!

I know, you're bitter because Obama won. Maybe some therapy and meds can help you.

[Johnagain]

Some have described Dana Perino as a patsy. She is not. She is being paid very handsomely for lying on the Bush administration's behalf, and providing an appealing face to the public. She'll undoubtedly make millions on book deals and/or lucrative PR jobs for corporations after Jan. 20th. Like most Bush accomplices, she will probably go unpunished in any way shape or form.

[waynesmyer]

In the words of that old country song! Thank God and Greyhound she"s gone!

[clausnitzer]

I was listening to a radio program that said the incoming press secretary is a close confidant of Obama's. This is unlike any of Bush's press secretaries. Bush's are told what to report and are not necessarily in the room when decisions are made etc. This makes it easier to present a false message without "knowledge" that you are lying. Gibbs will be more likely to report the truth or be tight lipped about it because he will actually have first hand knowledge of decisions etc.
Should make for an interesting dialog between the press and the white house. I am interested to see how opaque the presidency becomes with the Obama team.

[jportnick]

I'm sure Dana Perino would rather do many things than go head to head with Jon Stewart. She at least has the guts to talk to him on camera. On the other hand, I honestly don't know how she lives with herself doing the job she does. Maybe after twelve days she can transition into a job that doesn't require her to lie to the nation on a regular basis.

[AbbieHoffman2]

All press secretaries lie their butts off. At least she did it with grace.

[renoir]

Good lord man! She lied to her bosses! That would be me... and YOU! Are you really giving a pass to these people? Talk about your moral and ethical relativity. You need to be deprogrammed... or did you sign a loyalty oath along with the rest of the Bush apologists?

[roblabrousse]

Maybe she can do it because her priorities are screwed up? Or a lack of conscience? Or she'll do what she has to do to be successful? She's go it and knows how to use it....pretty common story.

[LMPE]

The surprising thing is that Bush let this Grace Kelly wannabe appear on "The Daily Show". Then again, he has less than 2 weeks left in office, so what's it hurt?

[unionave]

We get so wound up in trying to "break the story" and throw in our own version that the real causes of the problems become vague or just disappear . When GHWB stepped in as VP things started to spiral out of control . Health care costs started to rise faster than inflation . Fuel costs went up . Food prices went up . He trying to get his hands on the water supplies around the world . Veterans benifits started to disappear . The whole country became paranoid . He got a reporter fired for attempting to ask him about his girl friend . (The one that rode with him to Japan where he fainted) . Which demonstrated his control of the media . So the shaft his is poking us with will not be reported on by the media . The rest of us might be suffering through a depression but him and his are doing just fine . We may be about to get a glimpse that thousand points of light and new world order he once spoke of .

[ElkoJohn]

at least she has the gonads to go
up against Jon

[kareemachan]

Wow. Really impressive. Her job consisted of lying through her teeth for Shrub to journalists. It's just part of the job description to "go up against" people.

[roblabrousse]

Lying for this one is second nature to her...it's like breathing. Do you think Daily really expected to break through this Bushie's thick crust or bulls--t ?? Daily has been around a bit too you know. She's part of the current political topic..Bush's departure. She's so tough she probably has no recognizable genitalia. I think the "at least" part of all this is" at least " we won't have to watch her as press secretary anymore. She's not brave just brazen.

[fireW]

What a loyal trooper! Lying through her teeth to the bitter end . . .

[scared4ALL]

I wonder where they found Dana Perino? Tony Snow was disappointing when he chose to be the mouth piece for the corrupt. I was wondering who they'd possibly get when Snow stepped in and continued the snow job. Very appropriate name there, for Tony. Too bad he died before coming clean to the public. I liked him but when he chose the lies, I, like many, lost all respect for him. I was betting they couldn't find one evil or stupid enough to step in and can't believe anyone did. Tony and Dana, both, shocked me. Dana seems nice but I guess that's what's meant by watching out for wolves in sheep clothing.

[madisonhack]

If you knew Snow's work before his Press Secretary post, then you wouldn't have made those comments. He fit right into the Bush WH.

[digitalprophet]

I actually think she was showing signs of wanting to bash Bush. She knows the role she plays and does it very professionally... Jon eluded to this the whole time and is why he was even quick to apologize when he really made a "zinger" if you will.

We all know the incessant evil this administration has been spewing out, and I feel sorry for her having to try to put a positive spin on it. She is also a good sport even appearing on The Daily Show in the first place, and not looking terribly uncomfortable like many right wingers who are trying to show they have a sense of humor.

[kareemachan]

I don't feel sorry for her - she could have made a graceful exit and not had to be part of it at all. Instead, she chose to stand up there day after day and shovel it out.

[1differentdrummer]

The lady has nothing to say and continues to say it.

[knowhelpnow]

Through she isn't afraid to show it.

[kareemachan]

Well, she's gonna write a memoir. Gotta market it.

[hortonhearsawho2]

All right Mr. De Mille , she is ready now...

[VivaZapata]

Perino is right about one thing. The media generally doesn't present substance, but the Bush administration should be happy for that. The details would have meant an overwhelming Kerry victory in 2004.

[knowhelpnow]

Not to mention that the Supreme Court doesn't have the right to put someone in office.

[VivaZapata]

how could i forget???t!!!

[hortonhearsawho2]

If only, well, only sounds came out of her moth instead of words...Wait, she may be onto that technique now...

[scottymac11]

She is beautiful as Dorothy in Oz. But to lie for this group of flying monkeys. it is she who needs a brain, or heart, or courage.

[hortonhearsawho2]

Who knew Dorothy drank Tequila, wait a minute are you drinking....