The invaluable Dan Froomkin offered readers a valuable transcript from Scott McClellan’s gaggle yesterday. One gets the impression that the guy is starting to waver under the pressure.
Reporters saw yesterday’s front-page story that highlighted a previously confidential memo from Army Lt. Gen. Ricardo S. Sanchez, the top U.S. commander in Iraq. The documents noted Sanchez’s complaints to the Pentagon last winter that his supply situation was so poor that it threatened Army troops’ ability to fight. McClellan was asked for an explanation. He said it was John Kerry’s fault.
McClellan: The President is the one who supported and fought for the $87 billion in funding for the necessary resources for our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. His opponent opposed the $87 billion to provide our troops with equipment and resources they needed to do the job.
Q: Scott, that’s not the issue.
McClellan: No, it is the issue.
Bush tried the same thing.
“[Sanchez] was asking about much needed supplies. The Congress had an opportunity to vote on funding to get those supplies in the pipeline. And my opponent voted against that funding.”
The $87 billion package passed in November 2003. Sanchez wrote to the Pentagon in December 2003 saying he didn’t have the resources he needed to win. This is Kerry’s fault…why?
The Bush gang really doesn’t wear desperation well.