To get a read on the current state of <$NoAd$>play between the White House press corps and Press Secretary Scott McClellan (and, by extension, the White House) see today’s back and forth from the noon press briefing in which McClellan tried to explain why the president issued a prediction about estimated job creation last week but won’t stand behind the numbers this week.
Q So why not — why aren’t you standing behind it?
MR. McCLELLAN: I think what the President stands behind is the policies that he is implementing, the policies that he is advocating. That’s what’s important.
Q That’s not in dispute. The number is the question.
MR. McCLELLAN: I know, but the President’s concern is on the number of jobs being created —
Q My question is, why was the prediction made —
MR. McCLELLAN: — and the President’s focus is on making sure that people who are hurting because they cannot find work have a job. That’s where the President’s focus is.
Q Then why predict a number? Why was the number predicted? Why was the number predicted? You can’t get away with not — just answer the question. Why was that number predicted?
That’s near the point when it pretty much broke to nah-nah-nah. Read the whole section.
