Transcript of Scotty saying "Bush Didn't Order Iraq Strikes/Generals Did!

Yesterday I posted what I heard Scotty say at the Press Gaggle and here's the transcript where David Gregory and another reporter press him on who ordered the air strikes. TODAY BBC was reporting that it was probably a PHOTO OP..FAKE. See in the transcript where Gregory presses Bush on whether the P-Resident would make an ANNOUNCEMENT to the PUBLIC. Maybe that was the "tip off." Bush didn't make an official announcement because he knew it was fake and he's now going to blame the Generals when the public finds out it was a photo-op. But, does this also mean that Bush is always going to claim that any further Operations in Iraq are not ordered by him...but left to the "Commanders on the Ground" and would this be LEGAL..under the Constitution?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x676837


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Press Briefing by Scott McClellan
James S. Brady Briefing Room

Q Scott, can I ask you a question about this operation underway in Iraq? Does the President think that an offensive like this, high profile, is necessary, in part to turn public opinion around in this country about the war?

MR. McCLELLAN: Well, first of all, our commanders in the theater have the authorization to make tactical decisions about the operations that they undertake. And there have been a number of operations that have been undertaken over the course of the last several months to really go after the terrorists and the Saddam loyalists who want to return to the past of oppression and tyranny. So this operation is part of our ongoing efforts to help move forward on the security front. And this includes --

Q Are you saying the President specifically did not sign off --

MR. McCLELLAN: -- I think the military said that this includes American and Iraqi forces. So what we're continuing to do is train and equip those Iraqi security forces, and also focusing our efforts on the enemy, going after those who are seeking to derail the transition to democracy.

Just today, this morning, less than three years after the decision to go in and remove Saddam Hussein from power and liberate the Iraqi people was made, the parliament of a fully constitutional, elected government of Iraq met to begin the process of moving forward on putting in place a national unity government. And the discussions have been going before today, and those discussions continue, but it's important that we continue to act on all fronts that the President outlined for our strategy for victory.

Q You raise the point -- are you saying that the President did not specifically authorize this?

MR. McCLELLAN: No, he knows about the operation, he's been briefed on it, but this is a decision that is made by commanders who are in the best position to make the tactical decisions about the operations that are undertaken.

Q Therefore he didn't have to give the go-ahead order, he was just told after the fact.

MR. McCLELLAN: We want to see a successful operation, and we look forward to a successful operation.

Q Can you just clarify that point?

MR. McCLELLAN: Yes.

Q He was told after the decision had been made to do it, or did he have to say, yes, let's do this?

MR. McCLELLAN: No, this was not something that he needed to authorize.

Q But my question -- I'm sorry, but you aren't done with my question, which is, beyond the merits of this particular operation, we are coming to the three-year anniversary of the war. Support for the President is at rock bottom; support for this war is at rock bottom in this country. Does the President think it's important as a show of U.S. and Iraqi force to mount these kinds of operations, to try to change public opinion in this country?

MR. McCLELLAN: I can't accept the premise of your question because this was a decision made by our commanders. And it's important that the commanders have the flexibility to make these type of tactical decisions in order to prevail --

-SNIP-


Q May I ask you about the timing of the operation in Iraq today? The 101st released a press release calling it the biggest air assault since the invasion on the very same day that the White House released the National Security Strategy, and Hadley gives this major speech. Is there any coordination whatsoever?

MR. McCLELLAN: I just told you this was a decision made by our commanders, so, no.

Q There was no coordination. And is it an intense effort of this administration to show with the press release from the 101st, to call attention to what the U.S. is doing there? Do you think they need to broadcast more effectively what the U.S. is doing in Iraq?

MR. McCLELLAN: Those are decisions made by the military. You ought to direct those questions to them.

Q So all that is done without consultation with the administration?

MR. McCLELLAN: That's correct.


-snip-


Q On this strategy report, and on the offensive today, have you had any reaction from the allies, and are any allied troops other than Iraq involved? Are the U.K. troops involved in it?

MR. McCLELLAN: Well, I don't get into talking about military operations, particularly ones that are ongoing, from this podium. I think those are questions best to direct to the military. My understanding from just reading the statement was it included American and Iraqi forces. Keep in mind that Iraqi forces are continuing to take more of the lead in the fight, when it comes to their country. Iraqi forces are controlling more battle territory. They are taking the lead more and more in the fight.

As the President talked about earlier today, there are some 130 battalions, more than 130 battalions that are operating, Iraqi battalions, and more than 60 of those are now in the lead. So we want to be in position to where the Iraqi forces can provide for the defense of the Iraqi people. And as the President said, as we move forward on that, and the Iraqi forces stand up, then we'll stand down American forces. But we've got a clear strategy for winning in Iraq. And that's what the American people want to see our troops do.

Q -- the strategy of offense? Did the Iraqi forces decide this today?

MR. McCLELLAN: Go ahead, Suzanne.

Scotty NEVER ANSWERS THE QUESTION BUT MOVES ON TO ANOTHER REPORTER)

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/03/20060316-4.html

They have no clear strategy -- they don't even know what strategy means -- and there will be no winning in Iraq (nor in their mis-named "War on Terror"), because they cannot define "victory" (that's what happens when you "win") beyond vague generalities like "when Iraqis stand up we will stand down."

There is no War on Terror; there is a War for Empire and the U.S. will lose (if it hasn't already done so). Iraq is George Bush's Stalingrad.