Hey, Relax Guy. Look Over There.
Today’s White House press briefing.
Q Did the questioning of al Qaeda leader Abu Zubaydah conform with the interrogation program approved by President Bush? [...]
MS. PERINO: I will say that all interrogations — all interrogations have been done within the legal framework that was set out after September 11th…All of the — the entire program has been legal.
Q Are you saying that whatever was done in this case was not torture?
MS. PERINO: I am saying that the United States does not torture. The President has been — [...]
Q But when you have a former CIA officer, John Kiriakou, now saying that waterboarding was used — since you’re saying the interrogations were legal; he’s saying on the record now, waterboarding was used in at least one case. You’re saying waterboarding is legal?
MS. PERINO: Ed, I’m saying I’m not commenting on any specific technique. I’m not commenting on that gentleman’s characteristics of any possible technique. I’ve given you a very general statement about interrogations being legal, limited and –
Q You just said it was legal.
MS. PERINO: I’m sorry?
Q You said it was within the legal framework.
MS. PERINO: Yes.
Q Everything that was done.
MS. PERINO: Yes.
Q So waterboarding is legal.
MS. PERINO: I’m not commenting on any specific techniques.
Ugh.
Surprise Sullivan link.
We actually do have substantive posts on this too, for you drive-byers. Here’s one from this morning, or look around.
But I don’t think there’s much more but “ugh” to add for this one.
Comment by Brad — 12/11/2007 @ 11:43 pm
It’s a rare case when I actually feel sorry for Perino, but reading that made me cringe for her.
Comment by Mark — 12/12/2007 @ 11:44 am
She was on “Wait, wait don’t tell me” this last weekend (not sure if it’s live or was a rebroadcast). So she’s OK by me.
White House Press Secretary must be one of the suckiest jobs in the entire building.
Comment by Adam — 12/12/2007 @ 11:53 am
Good stuff
Comment by Mark — 12/12/2007 @ 12:22 pm