Breaking News! 8 February 2006

Breaking News!
White House: "Eulogies Are Not A Strategy"

Bush Lashes Back At King Funeral Critics; White House To Sponsor Cartoon Contest For Payback

In an early morning Press Briefing, White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan said that "The President was appalled", in regards to criticism leveled at him during the funeral of Coretta Scott King yesterday, at the 10,000-seat megachurch, the New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Lithonia, Georgia.

The ceremony drew dozens of celebrities and former civil rights activists, including Gladys Knight, Stevie Wonder, television talk-show host Oprah Winfrey, former Atlanta mayor and King lieutenant Andrew Young, the Revs. Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton, poet Maya Angelou and many others who shared their memories of both Mr. and Mrs. King.

"President Bush believes," continued McClellan, "that hindsight alone is not wisdom and eulogies are not a strategy."

McClellan specifically cited Former President Jimmy Carter, the Reverend Joseph Lowery, who co-founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference with Mrs. King's husband, Martin Luther King Jr, and Former President Bill Clinton as drawing the ire of President Bush.

"This was a day for responsible debate, not the time or place to bring in the defeatist attitudes of the Democratic party."

With the President's possible illegal NSA Wiretapping Program on the front burner, Former President Jimmy Carter drew wild applause when he made reference to the governments' domestic spying and eavesdropping campaign waged against the Kings back in the 1960's

"It was difficult for them personally with the civil liberties of both husband and wife violated, and they became the targets of secret government wiretapping and other surveillance," Carter said.

Carter also brought up the Bush Administration's response to Hurricane Katrina as evidence that the civil rights for all Americans is not yet complete.

“We only have to recall the color of the faces of those in Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi who are most devastated by Katrina to know that there are not yet equal opportunities for all Americans,” he said.

"This," said McClellan, "is old news. The President has already accepted responsibility and it's time to move on."

Former President Bill Clinton, also a former Southern Governor, electrified the crowd with a stirring speech, given without notes, saying at one point, "I don't want us to forget that there's a woman in there," Mr. Clinton said, pointing to Mrs. King's coffin. "Not a symbol, a real woman who lived and breathed and got angry and got hurt and had dreams and disappointments."

In his introduction, Clinton offered a very pointed tease, about the possible presidential candidacy of his wife, New York Democratic Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton.

"I'm honored to be here with my president and my former presidents and ...," he trailed off, motioning in his wife's direction to loud and sustained applause.

"I think," said McClellan, "that Mrs. Clinton may have announced her candidacy. That may be the best news that came out of the solemn occasion. We'll look forward to her defeatist campaign."

McClellan intimated that the Justice Department may seek to interview the Reverend Joseph Lowery.

"We are looking at the transcripts," said the press secretary. "If the Reverend has any information about mass weapons, he should come forward. He has a duty to step forward. The President would be reluctant to think that the Reverend is giving aide to our enemies."

Lowery, with President Bush sitting directly behind him, blasted the President, over both the War in Iraq and the Administration's response to Hurricane Katrina.

"We know now there were no weapons of mass destruction over there. But Correta knew and we know that there are weapons of misdirection right down here. Millions without health insurance. Poverty abounds. For war billions more but no more for the poor."

Lowery asked, "Our marvelous presidents and governors come to mourn and praise ... but in the morning will words become deeds that meet need?"

Improving from a lyric from a Stevie Wonder's song "A Time to Love, Lowery said "For war, billions more, but no more for the poor," which drew a roaring standing ovation and the shaking of heads from both President Bush and his father.

The former President Bush, not waiting for the official RNC spin, took a swipe at Lowery, suggesting he "keep his day job, don't give up preaching."

McClellan also announced that the White House will soon sponsor an editorial cartoon contest, targeting Carter, Lowery and both Clintons.

"This is purely coincidental," said McClellan. "As you know, there is a raging, and violent debate worldwide, over the issue of free speech. This is at the core of what make America great. The President believes that we should weigh in and take the lead on this, show the world, our friends and enemies, that we stand behind the fundamental right of free speech."

McClellan dismissed reporter's questions, over bashing and striking back at the President critics, citing Republican efforts to the same, at mega churches last year, with their "Justice Sunday' events.

"You're talking about apples and oranges," scoffed McClellan.

"At the Justice Sunday programs, there were many speakers who spoke the truth, presented facts. That's not bashing, that's fair play, honest debate, something the President, and the Administration, believes very firmly in."













Under Secretary, Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs and longtime aide Karen Hughes points out to President Bush those hwo criticized him during the funneral of Coretta Scott King yesterday.

The White House announced this morning that they will be sponsoring an Editoral Cartoon contest, to fire back at Former Presidents, Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton, Senator Hillary Clinton and Reverend Joseph Lowery