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February 24, 2005
In a fitting bit of irony, President Bush will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin later today to discuss, among other topics, mounting suppression of a free and open press in Russia. Perhaps President Putin should press President Bush about his own media abuse and manipulation at home. The White House record of corruption continues to grow: paid journalists acting as administration shills; fake news stories produced by government agencies; and now partisan GOP "newsman" James Guckert (who works under the false name Jeff Gannon to cover up his second life as an Internet prostitute) gaining access to the White House press office and potentially sensitive national security information. The White House should answer some basic questions about the emerging Guckert/Gannon scandal:
- How long can journalists gain access to the White House without an FBI background check? Most White House journalists have what is called a "hard pass," a permanent pass obtained after undergoing a rigorous FBI background check. Gannon skipped over that step. Instead, as Salon's Eric Boehlert explains, "the White House waved him into press briefings for nearly two years using what's called a day pass." If the background check is necessary for reporters with extended access to the White House, why were the rules circumvented for Gannon? Is there a limit for how long a reporter can slide on "day" passes, as Gannon did for years?
- How did Gannon get a White House press pass under a fake name? Jeff Gannon's real name is James Guckert. Although all applications for White House press passes are supposed to be thoroughly vetted, White House press secretary Scott McClellan said he was unaware that Gannon was using an alias. His predecessor, Ari Fleischer, also pleads ignorance. Gannon signed in to the White House each day as "Jeff Guckert," a name which did not match his pass – yet no one seemed to thing that was strange. In fact, no one at the White House seems overly concerned at what amounts to a stunning national security breach.
- What is Gannon's connection to the Valerie Plame case? Jeff Gannon has been interviewed by FBI agents who are investigating another security breach in the White House, namely, the leaking of CIA agent Valerie Plame's name to the press. So far, Gannon has been coy about whether he saw a secret document about the case. Today he says he never really saw the memo, he'd only read about it in the Wall Street Journal.
Daily Talking Points is a product of the American Progress Action Fund. |
Daily Talking Points is a product of the American Progress Action Fund. |
