Liveblog, Scott McClellan hearing: Part 4

By GottaLaff

Darrell Issa: If you had written the book a year earlier, you could have affected things. Why did you wait?

Scott: I started in July 2007, and it took a year to write. I had to make sure the book reflected my views, so I had to push it back a few times. It took awhile.

Issa: What about writing articles, then? To influence debate?

Scott: I think I did influence the debate.

Issa: This isn't timely, to affect this administration.

Scott: I disagree.

Issa: In this case, my statement will stand. It won't affect them. But, Iraq won't be the lynch pin of democracy in the Middle East,that's naive, I agree. Should a spokesperson not be taken seriously, since assurances are meaningless, or should the assurances be codified in law? (Scott: n/a)

Next: Shiela Jackson Lee

Lee: I'm proud of you as an American. Were you paid to come here?

Scott: No.

Lee: Is there a difference between being paid for a book, and taking an oath here to tell the truth?

Scott: Yes, and I wish some members of the White House would come here.... Marketing the war was dishonest... It was not completely truthful...

Lee: Impeachment: Hearings would be warranted on the basis of untruths?

Scott: I don't support impeachment based on what I know. But the people didn't get the real truth about the lead up to the war, they got a case that included only part of the truth.

Lee: Joe Wilson... Did you discuss him and his charges w/ anyone?

Scott: Not directly involved with the strategy, but there were talking points. ... I was still Deputy Press Secretary then. ... It was wrong to discredit him, anonymously, instead of openly and directly...

Lee: The Libby issue, his involvement with leaking, was intentional inside the White House?

Scott: I don't know for sure. I don't think Bush was, but Libby or others? There's a lot of suspicion that's been left. But 3 White House officials leaked.

Lee: Impeachment would investigate all the occurrences.

Scott: I think Americans should have all the facts, the truth. Partisan squabbling would be diminished.

Lee: WMD, fear mongering: how much misrepresentation?

Scott: Massive marketing effort, for WMD/Al Qaeda, but the reality was different.

Lee: Untruth prevailed...

Scott: Certainly less than truthful.