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Wednesday, July 11, 2007

Doctor, Heal Thyself

By Ken Herman | Wednesday, July 11, 2007, 10:18 AM

Pretty significant blowback today from the White House in reaction to former Surgeon General Richard Carmona’s congressional testimony about how the administration interfered with his work.

Carmona, a Bush appointee who left the office last year, told lawmakers on Tuesday that the administration blocked his efforts on issues such as stem cells, contraception, sex education and other health issues.

The White House response today: Us? Interfere?

Carmona, said administration spokesman Tony Fratto, “had an obligation to speak to issues that he felt were in the nation’s interest.”

“If he didn’t do that I think I find that disappointing,” said Fratto, who was quick to remind reporters that the surgeon general is a political appointee and part of the administration.

And, Fratto said, “the job of the administration is to come up with policy and try to execute the policy, and you won’t find me being defensive about anyone in the administration trying to advocate for the policies of the president.”

Translation: A surgeon general is supposed to spout the party line.

“People talk about being muzzled,” Fratto told reporters. “All of you are a phone call away. So I’m not exactly sure how this kind of thing would have happened. My view is if you’re the voice of the nation on health care and you feel it is important enough, then you have an obligation to speak about it.”

Fratto took specific exception to Carmona’s testimony that White House officials discouraged him from attending the Special Olympics because of the group’s ties to a “prominent family.” Carmona declined to identify the family, but when asked if it was the Kennedys (who are longtime Special Olympics supporters), he said, “You said it. I didn’t.”

Fratto said Bush “cares a great deal about the Special Olympics and has a level of affection for the Kennedy family.”

He did not specify the level.

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First Lady Checks It Out

By Ken Herman | Wednesday, July 11, 2007, 09:15 AM

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First Lady Laura Bush, who had given the project a once-over while it was underway, ventured into the White House press corps workspace today after her husband cut the ribbon to re-open the briefing room.

All is relatively neat and clean now, but that’s only because reporters are just now moving back in.

After somebody suggested that Mrs. Bush might want to make weekly inspection tours, she joked: “I was thinking I would and just check to make sure people are recycling.”

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Welcome To The Briefing Room. No Questions Please.

By Ken Herman | Wednesday, July 11, 2007, 08:56 AM

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With a snip of the ceremonial ribbon, President Bush today formally opened the remodeled White House Briefing Room.

New room, same show, as the president declined to answer reporters’ questions.

“Let’s do this,” Bush joked. “Let me cut the ribbon and then why don’t you all yell simultaneously, like really loudly, and that way you might get noticed.”

“I’ll like listen, internalize, play like I’m going to answer the question and then smile at you and just say thanks, thanks for such a solid question. Here we go. I’m going to cut the ribbon, then you yell, I cogitate, then I smile and wave,” he said.

And he did, smiling and waving his way back to the nearby Oval Office.

Laura Bush, however, hung around for a quick tour of the refurbished press corps work space.

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