Will History Forgive Scott McClellan? Probably Not
Mike Whatley
Last Updated: 8/24/08 Section: Books and Arts
Do not pick up Scott McClellan's new book, What Happened: Inside the Bush White House and Washington's Culture of Deception, expecting shocking revelations about the Bush administration. McClellan's book, allegedly an expose of the evils of the Bush administration, briefly made national headlines because McClellan claimed that it explained the inner workings of the Bush White House and shed light on exactly what happened that led the administration off course. Unfortunately, despite the praise and attention lavished on the book by members of the press, What Happened reveals very little. Indeed, with the exception of some interesting anecdotes about the Bush administration, it proves to be little more than an opportunistic smear-campaign
First, let's establish some background: Scott McClellan served as President Bush's Press Secretary for roughly three years after replacing Ari Fleischer in 2003. Although McClellan was not the White House's spokesman during the run-up to the United States' invasion of Iraq (he was, in fact, an assistant Press Secretary for domestic affairs), he claims that he witnessed a manipulated media campaign to convince the public that war with Iraq was justified. McClellan is perhaps most famous for his involvement in the Valerie Plame-CIA leak scandal. McClellan was asked if either Scooter Libby or Karl Rove were involved in the leaking of the information; he told the press that both men had promised him that they were not involved. When it was later revealed that both had been involved, many in the press accused McClellan of lying about it.
With a length of over 300 pages, What Happened proves to be almost excessively long. The book could easily be 100 pages shorter without short-changing readers of any so-called "inside scoops." Indeed, while What Happened was advertised as a critical analysis of the Bush administration, the reader quickly realizes that the book is also serving as McClellan's own autobiography. One of the book's chapters, "Growing up in Politics," is entirely dedicated to McClellan's early career in Texas politics. Although some background information was clearly necessary to put the book in context, most readers probably did not think they were also buying an autobiography of Scott McClellan (whose life story is not particularly interesting).
McClellan makes it clear in his autobiographical portion that he would be nothing without George W. Bush. So why did McClellan decide to attack his former boss and those who he had worked with for years? He does not leave the reader guessing on this subject. McClellan feels guilty about how he acted during his time as Bush's Press Secretary, but he wants history to judge him kindly. What Happened is McClellan's attempt to justify his own actions while vilifying the actions of those around him.
McClellan admits that he misled the press and the public during the Valerie Plame scandal by saying that neither Libby nor Rove were involved; he blames, however, Rove and Libby for lying to him. McClellan goes out of his way to clear his name in the matter more than is necessary, especially considering that neither Libby nor Rove was in fact the leak (it was, as is now well known, Richard Armitage from the State Department). He attacks almost everyone in the administration (except for Colin Powell) for misleading the public about Iraq, insisting that, while he participated in the media campaign for the war, he trusted the people around him (especially Bush) too much to believe they were misleading people. Interestingly, he never says that Bush lied about Iraq, but rather that he misled the public by emphasizing weak intelligence information about Weapons of Mass Destruction - a claim that has been around since the war started.
McClellan attempts to shift the blame for any of his own actions onto a type of groupthink psychology which he dubs "The Permanent Campaign." According to McClellan's "Permanent Campaign" theory, the current atmosphere of politics and Washington has forced politicians to constantly act like they are in the middle of a reelection campaign and can therefore never admit faults or weaknesses. McClellan says that he became caught up in this atmosphere and, consequently, was morally blinded. While McClellan throws blame on anyone but himself, he includes a section where others praise him. Several pages consist of long block quotes from various reporters praising his character and saying that he had a hard job. McClellan thinks that by using his book to blame those around him and justify his own actions, he can guarantee a better place for himself in history.
Nonetheless, the book does have a few interesting stories and insights into the inner workings of the Bush administration that do appear valid. For instance, while some have claimed that Bush decided to invade Iraq immediately after 9/11, McClellan argues that 9/11 alone did not lead to Bush's decision. Instead, the attacks of 9/11 coupled with the ensuing anthrax attacks to influence the president's bellicose attitude. McClellan argues that the anthrax attacks caused Bush to realize the United States' vulnerability to chemical or biological attack and made him determined to prevent these attacks at all costs.
Additionally, McClellan explains what happened in the Bush administration during the Hurricane Katrina debacle. Many cannot understand how the Bush administration could have botched its response to the hurricane so thoroughly. McClellan, however, claims that after the success of first responders during 9/11 and several previous Florida hurricanes, the administration had too much faith in first responders, which led them to minimize the importance of Katrina's size, magnitude, and aftermath. McClellan also explained the now famous Bush compliment to FEMA director Michael Brown: "Brownie, you're doing a heck of a job." McClellan said that Bush and Brown were not supposed to be in the same room with live video cameras and that Bush could not think of anything to say to Brown. Therefore, Bush tried to boost Brown and everyone else's morale by offering positive encouragement. Instead, it made Bush look "out of touch," the title of McClellan's chapter on Katrina.
Is What Happened worth reading? The answer is inconclusive. If you hate President Bush, you will not find proof to justify your feelings here, and you don't have to be a far-right conservative to wrinkle your nose distastefully at McClellan's back-stabbing self justifications. However, if you are a hardcore political junkie, you may find the behind-the-scenes information on the Bush administration interesting. Even then, What Happened does not deserve intense and careful reading but, at most, a casual skim.
Mike Whatley is a sophomore at CMC and a layout editor of the CI.
First, let's establish some background: Scott McClellan served as President Bush's Press Secretary for roughly three years after replacing Ari Fleischer in 2003. Although McClellan was not the White House's spokesman during the run-up to the United States' invasion of Iraq (he was, in fact, an assistant Press Secretary for domestic affairs), he claims that he witnessed a manipulated media campaign to convince the public that war with Iraq was justified. McClellan is perhaps most famous for his involvement in the Valerie Plame-CIA leak scandal. McClellan was asked if either Scooter Libby or Karl Rove were involved in the leaking of the information; he told the press that both men had promised him that they were not involved. When it was later revealed that both had been involved, many in the press accused McClellan of lying about it.
With a length of over 300 pages, What Happened proves to be almost excessively long. The book could easily be 100 pages shorter without short-changing readers of any so-called "inside scoops." Indeed, while What Happened was advertised as a critical analysis of the Bush administration, the reader quickly realizes that the book is also serving as McClellan's own autobiography. One of the book's chapters, "Growing up in Politics," is entirely dedicated to McClellan's early career in Texas politics. Although some background information was clearly necessary to put the book in context, most readers probably did not think they were also buying an autobiography of Scott McClellan (whose life story is not particularly interesting).
McClellan makes it clear in his autobiographical portion that he would be nothing without George W. Bush. So why did McClellan decide to attack his former boss and those who he had worked with for years? He does not leave the reader guessing on this subject. McClellan feels guilty about how he acted during his time as Bush's Press Secretary, but he wants history to judge him kindly. What Happened is McClellan's attempt to justify his own actions while vilifying the actions of those around him.
McClellan admits that he misled the press and the public during the Valerie Plame scandal by saying that neither Libby nor Rove were involved; he blames, however, Rove and Libby for lying to him. McClellan goes out of his way to clear his name in the matter more than is necessary, especially considering that neither Libby nor Rove was in fact the leak (it was, as is now well known, Richard Armitage from the State Department). He attacks almost everyone in the administration (except for Colin Powell) for misleading the public about Iraq, insisting that, while he participated in the media campaign for the war, he trusted the people around him (especially Bush) too much to believe they were misleading people. Interestingly, he never says that Bush lied about Iraq, but rather that he misled the public by emphasizing weak intelligence information about Weapons of Mass Destruction - a claim that has been around since the war started.
McClellan attempts to shift the blame for any of his own actions onto a type of groupthink psychology which he dubs "The Permanent Campaign." According to McClellan's "Permanent Campaign" theory, the current atmosphere of politics and Washington has forced politicians to constantly act like they are in the middle of a reelection campaign and can therefore never admit faults or weaknesses. McClellan says that he became caught up in this atmosphere and, consequently, was morally blinded. While McClellan throws blame on anyone but himself, he includes a section where others praise him. Several pages consist of long block quotes from various reporters praising his character and saying that he had a hard job. McClellan thinks that by using his book to blame those around him and justify his own actions, he can guarantee a better place for himself in history.
Nonetheless, the book does have a few interesting stories and insights into the inner workings of the Bush administration that do appear valid. For instance, while some have claimed that Bush decided to invade Iraq immediately after 9/11, McClellan argues that 9/11 alone did not lead to Bush's decision. Instead, the attacks of 9/11 coupled with the ensuing anthrax attacks to influence the president's bellicose attitude. McClellan argues that the anthrax attacks caused Bush to realize the United States' vulnerability to chemical or biological attack and made him determined to prevent these attacks at all costs.
Additionally, McClellan explains what happened in the Bush administration during the Hurricane Katrina debacle. Many cannot understand how the Bush administration could have botched its response to the hurricane so thoroughly. McClellan, however, claims that after the success of first responders during 9/11 and several previous Florida hurricanes, the administration had too much faith in first responders, which led them to minimize the importance of Katrina's size, magnitude, and aftermath. McClellan also explained the now famous Bush compliment to FEMA director Michael Brown: "Brownie, you're doing a heck of a job." McClellan said that Bush and Brown were not supposed to be in the same room with live video cameras and that Bush could not think of anything to say to Brown. Therefore, Bush tried to boost Brown and everyone else's morale by offering positive encouragement. Instead, it made Bush look "out of touch," the title of McClellan's chapter on Katrina.
Is What Happened worth reading? The answer is inconclusive. If you hate President Bush, you will not find proof to justify your feelings here, and you don't have to be a far-right conservative to wrinkle your nose distastefully at McClellan's back-stabbing self justifications. However, if you are a hardcore political junkie, you may find the behind-the-scenes information on the Bush administration interesting. Even then, What Happened does not deserve intense and careful reading but, at most, a casual skim.
Mike Whatley is a sophomore at CMC and a layout editor of the CI.
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