From the White House press briefing:

Q Ari, many estimates we’ve seen on the war’s cost in tens of billions, up over $100 billion.  Can you explain the wisdom of continuing to pursue hundreds of billions in tax cuts when you have this large potential liability out there that could increase the budget deficit?  And didn’t Lyndon Johnson get in trouble for the same sort of thinking during Vietnam, in wanting to maintain his fiscal program while funding the Vietnam War?

MR. FLEISCHER: Whether or not the President decides to authorize the use of force, it is vital for out country that the economy grow.  And the President believes one of the best ways to help the economy grow is to provide the tax relief that can give a boost to the economy and create jobs for the American people.  Whether or not the President authorizes the use of force, the American people deserve to have jobs.  And whether or not the President authorizes a use of force, it still is important to get prescription drugs to our nation’s seniors and to strengthen the Medicare program.

I’m certain you would not suggest that if we go to war, seniors somehow don’t deserve prescription drugs.  There are still a series of initiatives that are important, and the fundamental focus of the President will be on growth policies can help people get jobs and get the economy growing stronger.

Pardon my language, but WHAT THE FUCK?  The reporter asks about tax cuts, and Ari accuses him of saying that seniors don’t deserve prescription drugs?  People call Fleischer a master of spin, but this is just clunky.  Can anyone possibly fall for this?  More to the point, realize that this is apparently the best the administration can do, the best rationale they can come up with to justify their policies: ignore the question, and make it into an accusation of bigotry.

Fri, 28 Feb 2003 10:50:14 +0000
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