Demagogue

Given today's announcement by White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan that he is resigning, it's only appropriate that we honor some of his more outrageous spin efforts. You may have others worth suggesting -- by all means, share them -- but I'll offer a few of my favorite McClellanisms:

Last December, as the Senate debated extending the Patriot Act, Dems sought a short-term extension of the law to allow for more debate over the Act's renewal. McClellan accused these Senate Dems of putting partisanship above the nation's security. Even when he was confronted with the fact that several GOP senators joined the Dems in this position, McClellan offered a robotic response.

REPORTER: You suggested that those who are seeking an extension are putting politics above security. That now includes eight Republicans. Are you including them in that accusation?

McCLELLAN: No, it's the Senate Democrats.

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At a July 2004 press briefing, McClellan played dodge-ball as he was asked about the Bush administration's pre-war assertions that Iraq had WMDs.

REPORTER: Does the President feel that he had enough information about weapons to take this nation to war?

McCLELLAN: ... The President talked about how Saddam Hussein was a threat. It was a threat that was real --

REPORTER: -- was a threat how?

McCLELLAN: Well, we have learned since going into Iraq and removing that regime from power that the regime certainly had the intent and capability when it comes to weapons of mass destruction --

REPORTER: What do you mean by intent?

McCLELLAN: Well, the Iraq Survey Group ... has looked into the issues and showed that Saddam Hussein was in serious and clear violation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1441. That resolution, you'll recall, called for serious consequences if Saddam Hussein --

REPORTER: It didn't call for war.

McCLELLAN: It gave him one final opportunity to comply, or face serious consequences .... And the world is better off without Saddam Hussein in power.

REPORTER: Do you know how vague you sound on that?

McCLELLAN: And you heard that directly from the President of the United States earlier today.