Last Line Of Defense

Under aggressive questioning, Snow appeared to struggle at times, parsing the [National Intelligence Estimate’s] language and – grasping for a proper interpretation – frequently simply reading it to reporters.  –IHT (Link).  9/28/06

So, the fish stinks from the head.  Update:  5:26 EST.  Looking back at this, I realize my comment was completely obscure.  I just found the photo — and the press conference — particularly telling.  Having no comeback for the document, it sounded like the White House parsing what “is” means.  Beyond that, it seemed somehow fitting that a President who reads most of what he says has now reduced his once-glib press secretary to the same constraint.

(image: Ron Edmonds/AP.  September 27, 2006.  Washington.  Via YahooNews)