When White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs appeared on the Today Show and angrily denied that Secretary of State Hillary Clinton ordered spying against UN Chief Ban Ki-moon, the credibility was instantly in doubt. After all, the specific order, signed by Secretary Clinton, is now a matter of public record.
But the official denial seemed to convince a lot of people to let the matter drop, at least for the time being. Now we have further evidence of how little the White House Press Secretary’s words are worth, with reports that Secretary Clinton spoke with Ban yesterday and expressed “regret” over trying to steal his credit card, among other things.
The “regret” stopped well short of an apology, according to officials, but seems to at least confirm the authenticity of the order, which really should never have been in doubt in the first place. Spokesmen for Ban had expressed grave concerns about the plans to steal his credit card info, a clear violation of both US and international law.
The bizarre combination of the high profile denial and the immediate, apparently not for domestic consumption pseudo-apology points to an Obama Administration that clearly has not learned its lesson about the consequences of lying to the American public, and if Secretary Clinton was facing calls to resign for ordering the theft, surely Secretary Gibbs must face similar calls now for his failure to tell the truth, which as the press secretary ought to be the only thing one can count on him to do.
Fire her, Mr. President.
If she had one ounce of decency she would resign…………… but………………obviously………….
The ONLY thing Madam SecState Schoolmarm "regrets" is getting outted. For being a bumbling diplomatic buffoon playing spy.
Wow, is CIA getting even with the diplomats for the outting of Valerie Plame? The entire 'Cable-gate' adventure has a peculiar stench to it. Oh yes it does.
If one of us did what she did we'd be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. If a politician from a "lesser country" than the US did that they'd probably be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. American politicians are getting to be almost as immune and untouchable as American cops.
Doesn't matter if she drew up the document herself or not. She signed off on it and thus is responsible for it. The approvers in a document's workflow are held accountable for the actions that result from it. They can blame anyone else they want, fact of the matter remains that Hillary gave her stamp of approval. Nothing can absolve her of that responsibility. She and her state department must be held to account.
Identity theft is a crime–why should Clinton not get charged?
This woman gives me the creeps.
You really have to wonder what this woman is capable of — even against her own side. http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2008/05/…
She and Bibi are soul mates.
Can we say firing squad?
Calling the press secretary Secretary Gibbs is somewhat misleading, The title Secretary is normally reserved for members of cabinet. Now, perhaps, you meant it as a joke.
Secretary Clinton should of course resign, but that seldom happens here.
Hillary needs to resign and salvage at least a little dignity, or be relieved of her post by the President. It makes no difference if her 'regret' expressed toward Ban was "not for domestic consumption"- the fact is she recognized her responsibility and so much as admitted her guilt. Now, who are we to believe? Hillary herself or WHPS Gibbs mouthing the denials? Sadly, both have lost all their credibility either way.
What dignity?!
The Press Secretary is paid to lie. That's his only job. Where did anyone get the idea that the words that dribble from a PS's mouth bear any resemblance to truth?
It's too bad that people, incarcerated for e.g. possession of pot, cannot get away with "expressing regret quite short of apology" but get to serve years in prison..
"points to an Obama Administration that clearly has not learned its lesson about the consequences of lying to the American public, "
sure they have…. it works
Sorry, Jason. The real job of press secretaries is to lie early and lie often. Nothing they say should ever be trusted. Ever.
Ban works for Billy's wife, he will do as he is told.
hey you know what would be funny? If when Hilary retires she starts doing commercials for credit card theft protection!
She regrets being found out. Nothing else.
Missing million dollar WHY?
Most folks think that getting a credit card number/pass words is to use the card # to purchase but there is a more sinister motive—records of payments to SEX acts and blackmail.
Just imagine if Hillary got such records of dirt–UN will order Bomb Bomb Iran in no time :^/
H. Clinton should be prosecuted in the fullest by UN chief.
If not …. then laws are ment to be broken. hmmm not so good, is it?
Madam Clinton should be charged under : 18 USC Section 1028 (a) (7) & (b) (10) (D)- Identity Theft which is punishable under the above mentioned law by serving five (5) years in the Federal Penetentiary and paying fines in the amount of $$$ 250,000.00. The Clintonites committed accounted crimes including the White Water fruad which caused amny Americans to lose their life savings. Rich people always got their backs covered. I for once never committed real crime and spent five years at the Fed's Pen. I got no more taste to live in this failing country, therefore, I left to Europe for good.
This whole administration needs to resign. They're every bit as bad as the last one.
Attempted Robbery? Only for the little people.
"surely Secretary Gibbs must face similar calls now for his failure to tell the truth, which as the press secretary ought to be the only thing one can count on him to do."
You expect truth from a White House press secretary? Surely you jest!
The only thing Hillary Clinton regrets is the inescapable reality that she is nothing but a dried-out, wrinkled, old prune.
Brian, This administration “IS” the (previous) one. Robert Gates, a Republican is in charge of the Pentagon. And when Bill Clinton was President a Republican also controlled the Pentagon. Obama knows his history though. He knows what happened to JFK when he thought he was gonna control the Pentagon. Bill Clinton too. Whoever controls the Pentagon controls everything. And even when Democrats are Presidents they still don’t get the keys to the Pentagon..Republican leadership are war criminals. Always have been always will be. And Democratic leadership will always be their accomplices.
Resign you corrupt cow! What the hell.