Ari laughed off the stage

Fleischer gets laughed off the stage:

MR. FLEISCHER: This is a time -- no, the President is not offering quid pro quos. This is a time for nations to do what they estimate is the right thing to do to promote the peace.

Q: -- the French press is quoting actually two different diplomats from the United States State Department that -- they're highlighting that the United States is giving some sort of agreements or benefits to Colombia -- and other non-members of the Security Council --

MR. FLEISCHER: I haven't seen the story. And you already have the answer, about what this will be decided on. But think about the implications of what you're saying. You're saying that the leaders of other nations are buyable. And that is not an acceptable proposition.

(Laughter.)

As Matthew Langer notes in his excellent weblog:

What's indicated by "(Laughter.)" in the official White House transcript was actually an eruption of derisive laughter from the whole of the press corps, followed by Fleischer's immediate departure and an audible exchange of jokes among the reporters.

Finally calling him on his lies. The question remains when their editors and producers will, too.

(Via MyDD.)

Posted February 26, 2003 08:45 AM | Comments (52)