Spinmaster…
NY Daily News: As the punching bag for the press, White House spokesman Jay Carney has mastered the art of deflection in his 444 briefings.
Since taking the podium in February 2011, the former journalist has shirked away from responding to an inquiry an estimated 9,486 times, according to a review of his briefing transcripts by Yahoo.
Carney has crafted a total of 13 main clever phrases to essentially tell reporters to get lost.
His blunt “I don’t have the answer” is the most popular response, given a total of 1,905 times, with “I would refer you to someone else” (1,383 times) as another popular Carney method for weaseling out of an answer.
The know-it-all 48-year-old also dished out some attitude to his former colleagues, telling them “You already know the answer” on numerous occasions, 1,125 times to be precise.
“I’m not going to tell you,” (939 times), “I’m not sure,” (549 times), “No comment” (429), and “The President won’t tell me,” (117 times) were also among the oft-used Carney-isms.
Reporters in The White House Press Corps are wired to live at odds with the President’s spokesman.
The current crew of White House reporters has specifically complained about the administration’s lack of transparency with the press, saying in February that Obama has consistently failed to make himself available for interviews.
Too bad so sad for the reporters who claim the lack of transparency. They aided in getting this president elected two times so I don’t feel bad for them one bit. As for Carney’s responses, what do you expect from this administration? It’s not like anyone is going to hold them responsible for anything they say and do. Elections have consequences.
DCG