McClellan Says White House Records Won’t Show Everything

Those White House visitor logs that were supposed to show all of Jack Abramoff’s comings and goings?

The infuriating exchange from this morning’s press gaggle:

QUESTION: Scott, the Secret Service has agreed to turn over records related to Jack Abramoff’s visits to the White House in recent years. What’s your reaction to that? Are you concerned at all —

Scott McClellan: We’re aware of it. We’re fine with it.

QUESTION: But are you concerned, since the White House had refused for a long time to turn over those records?

Scott McClellan: I mean, I wouldn’t look at it as a complete historical record of things — of events here at the White House. I’d just caution you on that.

QUESTION: Do you plan to make a public release —

QUESTION: What is that?

QUESTION: What does that mean?

Scott McClellan: Well, I mean, they have certain records, but I wouldn’t say that — I would just not view that as a complete record, but they have certain records that they keep and that they will be providing.

QUESTION: Did you say it was a complete historical record they’re providing, or not? I thought that’s what you said —

Scott McClellan: No, I wouldn’t view it as a complete historical record, no.

QUESTION: Why?

QUESTION: Are you going to add to it then?

Scott McClellan: Because they — they don’t keep all those — all historical records. It’s just certain records that they keep that they will be providing.

QUESTION: Are you going to turn over your records?

Scott McClellan: Well, I’ve already — I mean, I’ve already talked to you about what I know, and if there’s anything you have to bring to my attention, you’re welcome to, but I don’t know of anything that’s been brought —

QUESTION: But you brought it to our attention that there is more to it.

Scott McClellan: No, I didn’t. There’s nothing changed in terms of what I’ve previously said on it.

QUESTION: Are you saying in that, that Abramoff could have made other visits that are not recorded in the Secret Service records?

Scott McClellan: I’m just saying that they have — I don’t know exactly what they’ll be providing, but they only have certain records, and so I just wouldn’t view it as a complete historical record.

QUESTION: What other kinds of records could there be?

QUESTION: Are you going to add to it?

QUESTION: Not all visits to the White House are included in that record?

Scott McClellan: I don’t know that they are.

QUESTION: — who he was visiting when he was here?

Scott McClellan: Well, I think — again, talk to the Secret Service. I think they only maintain certain records. I just wouldn’t view it as a complete historical record.

QUESTION: You’re saying they don’t save everything?

Scott McClellan: I mean, what I said previously still stands. I think he attended two holiday receptions at the White House, and there are some additional staff-level meetings. But I said I couldn’t rule out that there might be other large events that may have taken place that he attended. But that’s what I know, and that still stands.

QUESTION: Is what you’re saying is that the Secret Service doesn’t have records of these parties —

Scott McClellan: I’m sorry?

QUESTION: Is what you’re saying —

Scott McClellan: They have Secret Service records that they keep.

QUESTION: But they might not include some of these large receptions?

Scott McClellan: And the records that they keep they can describe to you. I’ll try to get you a little bit more on that, but I think they could probably describe to you what records they keep. And they’ll be releasing it soon. I’m just telling you I wouldn’t take that and view it as a complete historical record. I’ve already told you what I know, in terms of any meetings he attended.

QUESTION: Scott, do you know exactly when they’re going to release it, and do you know what it says?

Scott McClellan: I think they have until next week, so — no, I don’t.

QUESTION: You don’t know what it says, either?

Scott McClellan: No.

QUESTION: You don’t know what meetings they may or may not have?

Scott McClellan: I’m just saying that they only keep certain records.

QUESTION: Are they going to make a broader release than just to Judicial Watch? Are they going to give it to everybody? Will we get it, or is just —

Scott McClellan: Talk to the Secret Service. I’ll see if I can find out more, too. They’re the ones that have their records, and that’s what — the request was made, and they are providing those records, whatever records they have.