Okay, this is pretty hilarious. Did Trent Duffy really expect his pal John Roberts was going to read this on the air? And who knew there was an official certified short-list?
This from this morning on CNN. We start with host Miles O’Brien speaking to CNN’s John Roberts …
Let’s get back to Scott McClellan, John. Reading the tea leaves on what you just talked about, I gather he’s leaving under his own steam. But by the same token, Josh Bolten was very vocal in leaving the door open and suggesting if you’re high ranking and you’re thinking of leaving, do it now, or there might about few nudges. Was is a combination of him wanting to leave and him, perhaps, expecting to be nudged out?
ROBERTS: I expect that Scott was part of the overall changeover. I really don’t think he wanted to go. He really enjoyed the job, and I don’t think it really was in his heart of heart’s of desires to leave the White House.
I think Josh Bolten — and this is just speculation on my part — but I think Josh Bolten probably came to him and said, Scott, we’ve got to make changes. Bolten has said to various Republicans that we’ve talked to that communications was big problem at the White House, and that the communication shop was probably going to have to be revamped some.
In terms, by the way, Miles, of who could possibly take over for Scott, just got an e-mail from my old friend Trent Duffy, who was one of the deputies, saying, thanks a lot, man. Please include me in the…
M. O’BRIEN: Don’t forget me!
ROBERTS: Don’t forget me. Please include me in the list of people as “The Washington Post” and others are. So, yes, Trent Duffy is a name that’s under consideration there, though we’re not sure at this point who’s going to get the nod on that one.
M. O’BRIEN: Obviously, Trent doesn’t need his own press secretary. He’s doing his own work behind the scenes in realtime.
ROBERTS: Well, if he could do as good a job for President Bush as he’s doing for himself right now, maybe he gets the job.
M. O’BRIEN: He might have just gotten the job, I don’t know.
ROBERTS: Sorry, Trent. Didn’t mean to embarrass you so much.
Somehow I don’t think Duffy did himself any favors. But he is sure is eager.
