Said White House Press Secretary Tony Snow on CNN this morning in an interview with Soledad O’Brien
I hate to tell you, but it’s not always pretty up there on Capitol Hill. And there have been other scandals, as you know, that have been more than simply naughty e-mails.
(Video and transcript availabe at Think Progress)
I thought that Tony Snow was smarter than that. What a remarkable attempt at downplaying the situation. This was far more than just “naughty e-mails”–they were attempts by an adult in a position of power to exploit that power for his own sexual gratification at the expense of minors who encountered said adult in what was supposedly a safe and educational environment.
If Foley had been an English teacher at a school and engaged in the same behavior, would it be dismissed as “naughty e-mails”? I think not.
Further, as a matter of smart politics, I would caution the White House about downplaying the situation too much, as there may yet be other revelations about Foley’s behavior.
Joe Gandelman has some pointed questions in response to Snow’s comment.
My guess is that Snow backtracks those comments by this afternoon, he’s too smart not to. But it does illustrate that the GOP doesn’t really seem to know how to respond to this.
Comment by SoloD — Monday, October 2, 2024 @ 11:29 am
White House Spokesman: Foley’s Emails To Teen Were “Simply Naughty” (UPDATED)
It is time to say it because you can NOT be a moderate if you condone this: this crew has GOT to go:White House Press Secretary Tony Snow, app…
Trackback by The Moderate Voice — Monday, October 2, 2024 @ 11:42 am
White House Spokesman: Foley’s Emails To Teen Were “Simply Naughty” (UPDATED)
It is time to say it because you can NOT be a moderate if you condone this: this crew has GOT to go:White House Press Secretary Tony Snow, app…
Trackback by The Moderate Voice — Monday, October 2, 2024 @ 11:42 am
I note that in your example you said “an English teacher” rather than “a political science teacher” or “a social studies teacher.”
Heeeeeey … what exactly are you getting at?
Comment by Richard Nokes — Monday, October 2, 2024 @ 12:11 pm
[…] In my previous post I noted that White House Press Secretary Tony Snow needed to be careful is minimizing the significance of Foley’s communications with House Pages, as there might yet be more to his behavior (not that the communications themselves aren’t bad enough). […]
Pingback by PoliBlog: A Rough Draft of my Thoughts » Beyond E-mails and IMs? — Monday, October 2, 2024 @ 1:38 pm
Scott:
I make up, you decide.
Comment by Dr. Steven Taylor — Monday, October 2, 2024 @ 4:01 pm
I noted that English teacher remark as well. However, it is a widely known fact that English teachers are inherently sexy and seductive.
Comment by Jan — Thursday, October 5, 2024 @ 9:17 am