For you political junkies, a couple amusing looks Washington press briefings.
This article on Business Insider reveals the political theatre at the State Department. The State Department spokesperson had a prepared line when asked about the Egyptian government’s decision to clear Hosni Mubarak of murder.
While the White House press gets a lot of flak for just being the mouthpiece for the government, in this case it was interesting to see some real pushback on the prepared response the State Department had. It is also curious that the State Department refused to condemn or defend this – its likely something in the US’s interest, but not defendable.
Alas, at the end of the clip, when the lights go down, the actors speak the truth and you hear the spokesperson joke with a press member that ‘that Egypt line is ridiculous’.
The other humorous White House press story of the week was the White House spokesman trying to defend the appointments of new ambassadors to Argentina and Hungary – courtesy of the Daily Show:
When asked why these apparently unqualified candidates were appointed ambassadors, the spokesman had a tough time responding. Finally rather than admitting it was because the Argentinian ambassador had raised $500,000+ for re-election, and the Hungarian ambassador $1.4 million, his response was basically ‘it wasn’t my decision’.
Given the current quality of shows on cable TV – I may have to start watching more press briefings. Reality TV at its best.