Anderson, I was wondering if you finished the book, but of course that would be part of preparing for the interview, I guess. Hope we'll get a glimpse of what you thought about it from the questions you are asking. It must be a challenge to interview someone who spent years as the White House resident spinmaster... Looking forward to the show tonight!

I watched some of the interviews that he has done with others
and one thing struck me and I was wondering if you noticed
it also.
His whole demeanor and way of talking and confidence level
seemed so much more positive and sure of himself , then
he ever did during his time in the White House when addressing
the press.
At those times he always seemed to stumble for words, have
no confidence in what he was saying and basically looke like
a little kid who was telling his parents a big fib and was afraid
he was going to get caught at any minute.

Anderson,
I am sure that you did a fair and impartial interview. I hope that you drilled him good and didn't let him off easy. I'm looking forward to seeing it tonight!

And WOW...you are in blogging mode again! Three days and counting! LOL I am glad...we miss you on here! Live blogging doesn't count.

C-Ya Tonight!

Cindy..Ga.

Anderson, I hope you pressed him on the key question. Did Bush have bad intelligence on WMD's, or did he know the real score and lie? So far the book excerpts I've seen only speak vaguely of the use of propaganda. Every war has propaganda. In this case, does the propaganda have a factual basis or not?

Anderson, I look forward to the interview. I’m glad he came forward but I wish he’d done it sooner. It would have been more credible. But it’s not like we didn’t already know these things before. I agree with the man you interviewed last night when he said that we should be more concerned about the truth than what Mr. McClellan’s motivations are. I also want to say that maybe we shouldn’t judge him...we probably will not understand what it’s like to be in that position until we’re in that situation ourselves.

Up until 4:00 AM reading the book? Boy, do you ever sleep?

See you tonight.

Lilibeth
Edmonds, Washington

McClellan is the Judas of the republicans. He engaged in deceitful, manipulative, and corrupt behavior the entire time and yet he has the nerve to accuse Bush of being a criminal?? I'm not saying that Bush is innocent, but McClellan is just as guilty as Bush is so he should be pointing the finger at himself as well.

His statement that he got caught up in the political games of Washington....that's just plain hogwash. He engaged in the games for personal and political power and my guess is that he got his hand slapped and was denied a major political position, so he decided to get even.....and then sign on with Obama to boot to add insult to injury.

Personally, I wouldn't believe much of what this guy has reported in his book. He's most surely made other people look like crazy crimnials while making himself look like an innocently wounded and well-intentioned politician.

Hi Anderson, I'm looking forward to your interview with McClellan tonight. It will be a great show as usual of course! Hope you can get some sleep tonight; it's good for you. Remember Dr. Gupta talking about "brain freeze" when you don't get enough sleep.
Have a great weekend, it's going to be good weather. Maybe you could go for a walk and check out the Redtail hawk "Pale Male" there in NY. I read a short book about him at our local library a couple weeks ago. Neat story. Have fun – see you later.

Anderson, looking forward to your interview with Mr. McClellan tonight. I hope you do ask him the tough questions.

Boy up to 4:00 this morning, I hope you don't fall asleep on the air tonight. ha

Looking forward to seeing your interview with Scott tonight. I really am interested to hear what you wanted to ask him

4 AM Anderson.....are you going to sleep at all until after June 3?

3 days in a row on the blog.....might someone be trying to get back into their New Year's resolution

Hey Anderson....I am sure you asked this, but I am just curious as to the timing of McClennan's relase of this book. Were you able to uncover his motives as to that?

I commend you on your prep for the interview. 4:00 a.m. good thing it is a Friday. This has been the longest ..... short work week.

Interesting regarding his bubble comment. I bet it would be tough though. Once you go down the slippery slope of not being truthful, kind of hard to get out from under that. Especially in Washington. It is a shame that "honesty" seems to be more of a rare commidity these days.

Have a great weekend.

Let me start by saying that I think the Bush Administration is as shady as they come-and it will go down in history that way. But this guy is shady too. If he really believed what he now says he does, why didn't he voice his opinions earlier and do something pro active? It's not like this book can really hurt Bush politically anymore. The man's going to retire to his "mansion ranch" so what does he care if the public hates him? I bet he'll be real worried about that while he's sipping a beer on his front porch next year in his eco friendly post global warming ranch. The damage to this country is done. Now McLelland will become a millionaire because he's basically a wuss who waited til it was safe to do something like this. I don't think I believe he really believes what he now professes to. And regarding his allegations that the Bush Administration used propaganda to fuel public support for the Iraq war...DUH. Figured that one out already. The joke's on everyone who buys this book.

Wonder who'll be cast fr the movie?

The culture of our politics in Washington is built on lies. It began with an unchecked arms race for political funds that reached overseas and has expanded into a racial and sexist internal struggle for power to end an endless war, right the American economy, and to protect and defend the Constitution from a Bush or Clinton third term. How do we end the culture war...vote for change and demand integrity.

Anderson, as a registered independent, I greatly appreciate your stellar coverage of world events and your continued impartiality; it's a shame that people like McClellan accept paychecks then become thankless turncoats; how someone like him ended up in the White House is a direct reflection of the type of leader living in the White House; he has no relevance and the only question I would ask is: "are you riding in the Belmont Stakes."

Anderson, thank you for the preview of tonight's interview. Too often, it seems, people place blame elsewhere instead of looking to themselves for their actions. Looking forward to the program.

I would expect nothing less from you than tough, but fair. I am looking forward to this. I appreciate that you do your research before talking to someone. What interviews I've watched so far have been very agenda-driven with very little research other than the blurbs put out there. That's not fair to viewers like me who want the truth and not just further fuel to add to the Bush hatred fire. I need to know the full reality about some allegations in this story. I lost my friend in the Iraq conflict as did many others. We all lost in Katrina. We're owed something beyond media and governmental spin (and that is what I currently believe this book is). We deserve to know the honest answers to our whys as much as those can be given any time information comes out about these events (and I don't feel we were given that in this book). I do know I will read the book to make my own judgment. I owe my friend who died that much. I owe myself that much. But I do trust that you did try to find that truth as well today. It's appreciated.

I'm looking forward to seeing the interview.

Mr. Cooper, I hope you bring out your inner bulldog. Mr. McClellan says that the White House Press was too soft on the Bush administration.

It's time to make up for lost time.

I hope Mr. McClellan doesn't become just yet another flavor of the week. It will take dogged journalists to keep what he presents at the forefront of our national discussion.

I hope we can count on you.

Hi Anderson. This situation seems similar to the uproar a few years ago with the publication of "Blinded By The Right," by Brock. Words like "blinders" and "bubble" can easily be substituted with "salary" and "residuals." The book and interviews are interesting because so much has happened since 9/11 and McClellan was privy to all the justifications for the war. Still, it's not right that people were concerned about mistakes and being mislead and branded unpatriotic or communist. There are now more people for ending the war than ever. McCarthy redux, maybe. The interview should be interesting.

I think many people can understand being "sucked into" believing some one they admire and want to trust. It happens everyday. Sometimes it is a religious affiliation, sometimes it is political. I have even seen people brought into situations where drugs and alcohol take over their lives. I have seen people give money to gambling addicts, because they want to believe that person is good and really doing the right thing. I think we all have been sucked into something. It's how you get out and what you do after the crash that matters.

Anderson: I appreciate your dedication on this topic. Reading McClellan's book until 4AM impressed me. I like the fact that you wanted to get the whole picture prior to your interview. I guess it must have been a good read or else you would have fallen asleep! Looking forward to the show tonight!

Jolene, St. Joseph, MI

Anderson – I look forward to your interview with Scott McClellan – I agree with the comment you posed the other night – doesn't anyone resign anymore or do they simply write books –

I have found it interesting however that McClellan is being villied personally and not on the factual data. To me that shows there must be some truth to what he says

Anderson thank you for caring enough about broadcasting an interview that will be well researched and fair

I hope your interview with McClellan addresses the issue of whistle blowing (at this late date) for a fat paycheck. I'd respect him more, for setting the record straight on Bush, if the proceeds from the book were going to charity.

Anderson you do a great job all time but Scott is just as guilty as the rest..I wont buy Scotts book to put money in his pocket but will donate to Our Vets...Maybe Scott needs to think about that!!!!!!

Its hard to buy, and its easy to sell, his story.

Dude, he got antsy when he dropped from the White House scene and wrote a book while he was heated about something. Going by what he has stated in many of his interviews, he wrote a lot of comments that he really did not have first hand knowledge about. Lots of times he is like "oh I wasn't in direct with these officials, but I did fill in sometimes..." thats a liar's way of covering up the fact that he is exaggerating and/or strait up lying about issues.
I trust that you grilled him on some of these controversial issues. Looking forward to seeing the interview.

It is very possible to get stuck in reality bubbles, as must surely exist in the White House. This is not to dismiss McClellan's actions of submission to what appear to be a warped send of authority and control. We need an auditing authority, just as exist in accounting to prevent monetary abuses, implemented at the level of civic education in order to prevent and control government and organization tangential realities, as we are seeing here.

Interesting post, Anderson. Hope to see your interview tonight uncover the motives on either side... If this is a confession in the form of a book or a slap back to the administration in disgruntlement... time will tell... Keep up the good work...and listen to Dr. Gupta's advice

Anderson,

I am really looking forward to seeing your interview. I haven't caught much of the other interviews so it will be fresh to me. I bet you are one of the few interviewers who actually read the book. Not being a Bush supporter, I relish exposing the flawed decision making process that went into deciding to go to war. I don't trust anyone in the Bush administration. However, there is a part of me that agrees with David Gergen that the President has to be able to trust his/her confidants. He/she needs to trust and rely on their inner circle to be loyal. Even Bush. There I said it.

Charlotte D, Stockton CA

Well since McClellan is now the accepted authority on all things bad with the Bush Administration, we can feel comforted by the fact that the war was not for oil or to get even with Hussein! Remember that line of rhetoric? It makes one wonder how "honorable" McClellan would have been viewed had he come forward with a book that backed up the White House version of events. He (McClellan) states that he was "misled". That is original! Hillary was misled about Iraq, Kerry too! These are our leaders and went the &%it hits the fan simply say "I was misled"!

My brain is already on Scott-McClellan-Overload so this better be good Anderson!

We need fellow liberal Democrats to condemn, in all fairness, the despicable diatribe against the past actions of the Republication administration We don't want McClellan's influence in our political life. He is not a commendable person in any way to be part of our political party.

I'm most interested in knowing what he expected would come out of all this. Whether or not what he wrote is valid or truthful, he will from now on be known as someone who was once thought to have been loyal and trustworthy, but is now no longer so. How does that benefit him in the future? Who would ever want to hire him now? How can he be thought of as trustworthy? I'd love to know if he sees much honor in what he did. It would have been more honorable to have taken a stand while he was still employed. Then again, I don't know how shady the government can be with people who do that. He would have had to hire permanent body guards, I imgine. He may have to now.

Good job Anderson – Thank you for doing what you do best – 4am!

Looking forward to tuning in tonight to see the interview.

Anderson,
Hi! It's great, once again, to see your writing.
I've missed most of Scott McClellan's other interviews today, and look forward to your thoughtful interview tonight. With the extra time you put into it, I'm sure it will be thorough. I agree that McClellan should be held accountable for what he says. He should also have the opportunity to freely express his views without unwarranted repression from the White House.
I look forward to seeing you later.

I will look forward to it Anderson.
May I comment?
He "kissed and told" - "He had an 'unwritten' obligation not to speak about the private conversations in the private moments . . . "

OK – I get that –

Still – the ENTIRE SAFETY of the western world is at stake and it is not Scott's fault that the President of the United States and his inner circle
have stirred a hornet's nest that will continue to stir now for decades.

Anderson - faithful watcher here. But my husband is griping that no one is asking the hard questions of McClellan, as you say you will. I told him you were going to be "tough but fair" tonight. He says he doesn't believe it, because he thinks you are the Regis of cable news.

Of course he is wrong and I want a divorce. But ask the tough stuff anyway, hey?

OK AC. I have the book and I'll set the TIVO, just in case I'm back late from dinner. I've tried for 7 1/2 years to ignore the Bush Administration, so this book should be interesting. I'm looking forward to tonight. Have a great week-end!

Does anyone besides me remember the TV show "The West Wing"? Even though some of their storylines were fictional, from what I've read the show gave a fairly factual insight into the inner circle of the White House staff. When you are chosen for a position within that inner circle, it requires a tremendous amount of dedication and loyalty to the President.

Even though I lost my respect for the Bush administration years ago, I could understand the complexity of McClellan's position as to whether or not to tell what he knew or not. However, it is disappointing that he has chosen to profit from telling the truth. I guess he's lacking the skills to get an honest job.

Look forward to watching (DVR recording of) the interview. I had a gut feeling from the start that McClellan was rather soft-spoken in his duties as press-secretary, not one that would feel comfortable with having to answer to the lies and misleadings of this administration. I am not at all surprised by this revelation. For the naysayers that criticize him for not speaking out DURING his tenure? Right... Do you think the world's most powerful and corrupt administration would allow a lowly press secretary to reveal it's lies and corruption while on the job? In the end, the powerful spin-doctors on the other side will turn him into a "disgruntled" former employee, and the public that supports this administration will buy it.

Hi Anderson, I just had a couple of thoughts about Scott McClelland, one is that he keeps making the point that he didn't feel he was kept in the loop, but I would think that he would be the last person you would want in the loop if you had something to hide, so I'm not buying into that, however, I too felt, that his manner in the the White House was evasive, and I respect him for telling the truth now, we all have had to go along at jobs.

Hi Anderson,

Oh darn it! Now I guess I will have to go out and buy this book. I need to read it for myself. Just finished Barbara Walters, it was fantastic.

Anxiously awaiting your interview with Scott, it kept me going today at work. I feel certain that you will ask him valid, potent and interesting questions; what we would ask if we could. Thus my anxiety to see what in fact, you have asked. I find it impossible to believe that he was "stuck" anywhere. This is after all still a democracy, is it not? People leave jobs all of the time when they find their boss is untrustworthy. I find that a very lame excuse to say the least.

Frankly I am hoping that you had a chance to rest some....4am??? Wow! It would surely be quite "The Shot" if you were to be caught snoozing in the anchor chair.

Thanks Anderson, and have a good weekend. You deseve it!

Anderson, Good job Anderson. I am anxious to read the book but I will not break your recored and read it in a day. Personally, I am happy that Scott has blown the whistle on Washington even though most of us have known forever the lack of integrity that is part of many politicians and our so called leaders. Your have pointed this out many times in your "Keeping Them Honest", segment of 360.
I am also extremely happy that the media and Scott himself, with his interviews, keep the spotlight on what is wrong in Washington. The loyalist can say whatever, but defending the Bush administration and their many blunders and illegal actions is just plain wrong.
See ya tonight.

I have to say, this whole thing seems like a 20-20 case of hindsight designed to make Scott McClellan's life easier at the expense of other people who still have difficult jobs to do for a nation that is technically at war with a difficult enemy (even if 9-11 was the only battle fought openly on American soil, even Scott doesn't necessarily know what other battles have been won by this embattled administration).

As to the president's supposed cocaine use, I thought it was fairly widely speculated upon even in 2000 that in a much earlier part of his life, the president (like many other prominent people, I might add) had both a drinking problem and might have used cocaine - in either case, there is no proof offered or even suggested that these have continued into the presidential period.

One other thing I would note - Scott would be wise not to go hunting with Dick Cheney.

– Peter O'Donnell up in Kanuckistan

saw your interview with scott mcclellan and your questions about the katrina and deflecting blame away from the white house, dont you think that is just what they were telling him to do??

alsol why dont you people in the media talk about the real rerason that this president went to war... it was his adgenda before he stole the first election, based on sadam's attemped assassination of the old man bush
george w said it in his speech to congress " he tried to kill my dad"

this is bush's war based on greed and revenge and nothing else.
why dlont you people talk about that???

I didn't really become rabidly loyal (to 360) until the spring of this year, so I believe this is my first real in-depth interview with you in the driver's seat (or maybe the first I am passionately interested in). I'm glad you weren't the first to interview Scott McClellan but I trust you will be the best. I also trust your tenacity will uncover everything we want to know and things we haven't though of. It's encouraging to see you blogging here. Thank you.

I just seen a clip of your interview on Campbell Brown, Anderson.
it seems like it will be a great interview and I am looking forward to the whole interview
I tend to have the opinion that employees of the whitehouse especially
press spokes people like Scott come out and say *Exactly* what the whitehouse wants you to say or you would not have your job long.
kind of like smoke and mirrors as long as its not the truth, especially when it came to the build up of Bushs illegal war!
I for one am willing to give Scott McClelland the benefit of the doubt
and that perhaps after the valeri Plame incident he became diillusioned and after he left he did a lot of personal reflection and maybe this book is his way of redeeming himself.Like he said at the front of the book
*The truth shall set you free*

Anderson, I'm looking forward to your interview this evening. I'm sure that you've been fair and impartial as you usually are. Mr. McClellan may have been blindly doing his job, he may be making the whole thing up, or he could also have just did his job (as requested/expected) with a smile on his face knowing what he could write in five years time.

All the exciting books that keep coming at us!! I feel like I'm a kid in the library for the first time...

That was an interesting preview you added to this blog, Anderson. Also, for someone who went to bed at 4am last night you sure look pretty good.

We've seen enough episodes to know the WH press secretary's job is to spin and in some cases outright lie. I don't think I ever trusted anything Scott said anyway. I knew the administration was full of it when the subject of invading Iraq took over the news. I never bought the lies they were telling. All Bush did was create a disaster and we probably haven't seen the worst of it.

I think we're facing another attack. Al Queda plans these for years. And when it happens, what are we going to do? Our troops are already stretched thin and are facing increasingly more health problems.

Considing the way Bush thinks, we may invade Venezuela or Cuba and hope that will somehow protect America.

the new media seem to be running these preachers clomments again n again.
its all about obama.

why dont you guys run rev. hagee's comments over n over again like you do the others??

seems like a little partasonism gin on

just seems like everythings about obama and nothing on mccain

Hi Anderson,

Sounds like a fascinating interview.

Anderson,
I have always been a big fan of Bob Woodward and I think your agressive reporting, this week especially, makes me think that finally the "press corp is back." That's the kind of work you did in Nola and it is a joy to see it in action again with Scott McClellan. Looking forward to seeing it in it 's entirety.

Hi Anderson!!
Oh really? You read Scott McCellan's whole book until 4am......... I bet you are so tired tonight, Please don't sleep in the air lol!....... I agree with Jana, Lilibeth and Cindy..... I did watch you interview with Scott McCellan last night.... that is so good interview!That will be good program tonight........ I will watch everything on AC360 tonight. I will see you soon! xoxo
Megan D.
Shoreline,Wa

Anderson

I'm looking forward to seeing the interview; I read the interview in the post on this blog and it certainly appears that you held McCellan's feet to the fire and asked him tough but fair questions. I can understand getting caught up in your work environment and only seeing what your boss and co-workers see at the time, but then upon reflection away from that environment you realize the truth of what was going on. I wonder though when McCellan decided that Scooter Libby and Karl Rove had lied to him, how much longer did he stay in the administration? I would have thought that was a red flag to get out of that office.

I'm reading the book this weekend; your interview will certainly add to my perspective as I read iti. Looking forward to seeing it tonight.

Annie Kate
Birmingham AL

Anderson,
I'm really excited about this interview. I'm glad that you did your research and read the book before interviewing him... it shows how great of a reporter you are and how seriously you take not taking sides. I admire that a lot. I can't wait to read the book. Looking forward to the show!

The attacks being heaved upon Scott McCellan for coming forward and revealing the deception perpetrated upon this country by Bush and the Republican Party is disgraceful. Attacking him for not having come forward with his assertions while he was still at the White House shows the stupidity of the American public. The problem is that Americans have a span of concentration shorter than the lifetime of a fruitfly and we have quickly forgotten in four short years how Bush's administration dealt and questioned the patriotism of all who questioned or defied Bush.

Scott McCellan is a hero like many others who came before him and had the guts to tell the truth. The nation has been gang-raped by the Republican Party and their surrogate in the White House. It is time that the truth of the crimes against the Nation and the world perpetrated by this administration were revealed. We must not treat those who come forward with the truth no matter how late it is with scorn but adulation and admiration because without these witnesses of history we will have no one to provide evidence against the administration. Scott McClellan is a hero.

I am certain you will do a bang-up job in the interview. For myself, after almost 40 years in journalism jobs - radio and newspaper - I find it difficult to go along with McClellan's initial assertions in many respects.

It was not difficult for a trained interviewer to watch his reactions during his days as press secretary and know that more was going on behind the scenes than in front of the cameras. McClellan was likely more a part of Bush's lies and deceptions than he wants to admit, but I am glad that at the least he is speaking now. Of course, his motives for speaking now are more likely tied to fame and fortune than to anything else!

Remember, this is the man who used to come very close to being argumentative with the news media; so deeply was involved with Bush and entertwined in the Bush/Cheney/Rove spin that all of us have come to expect - and dismiss or refute as worthless and useless.

I believe you will hold his feet to the fire moreso than what we've seen, already. This man is more involved than he wants us to believe. If his journalistic principles were so high during his press secretary tenure, why did he not resign the very first or second time that he encountered Liar Bush and Twisty Cheney?

His book is not a tell-all. It's a way to make money and I do not fault him for that aspect. I do, however, fault him from a purely journalistic standpoint when all tenets of good reporting pointed in the completely opposite direction than where he was (mis)leading the American public.

Dear Anderson,
You really are our hero aren't you? Staying up to 4:00 a.m. to read Scott's book. You hard nose reporter you! Sounds like a great interview, as usual!! Can't wait for the show...I hope you had an opportunity to get a catnap!

Anderson,

What a great “tease question!” Of course I always take what the White House and any politician says with a grain of salt, but I am sure after reading Scott McClellan’s book I will be even more skeptical of the information dispensed, especially in the White House Press Room.

I wonder if McClellan ever knowingly gave out false or misleading information to the media at any of his White House Briefings. If he did how did he feel at the time? Did he find ways to justify it because he was living in the “bubble,” or did he feel guilty about it?

I wonder if McClellan would be willing to repeat this same information from the book under oath if that opportunity arises?

McClellan may very well be telling the truth on some level, but based on what I have read and heard he gives no specific evidence on some of the most important charges and he always falls short of saying that the Bush administration lied to the American people about the tactics used to justify the war in Iraq, instead he chooses to use words like innuendo, implication, and manipulation to describe what the White House did to sell the war to the American people.

I find it troubling that he says that he had great affection, belief, and trust in George W. Bush although he knew that he manipulated information to his advantage and ignored contrary intelligence to justify the war.

McClellan says that he has come forward now only because his beliefs have changed. I’d like to know what happened to make them change.

I am sure some of my questions will be answered in your interview with McClellan tonight.

I often stay up until 4:00am reading; in fact I remember staying up until the early morning hours reading a wonderful book called “Dispatches From the Edge.” It was a real page-turner as they say!

See you later,
Jo Ann
North Royalton, Ohio

Up till 4 A.M.! So, did you LIKE the book? We appreciate you being prepared for the interview, & it looks great! Did you get a nap today!? Thanks for being you! Can't wait to see the rest of the interview!

Anderson,
I watched the short clip and all I can say is well done! I look forward to seeing the entire interview. I have no doubt that you will be, as you said, tough but fair.

I always knew Mr. McLellen had a good heart. He's an American Patriot; brave, conscientious.

It seems like McCellan is backing away from some of the claims he made in the book. Not sure what the real reasons are, but my thinking is if he could lie to the American people before without even blinking his eyes, what grounds do I have for believing him now, or what he is saying on your show now?

Anderson, you seem like a reasonable person. What is McClellan telling us we didn't already know? The coke thing? Yes, we know addicts choose to believe what they want to be true–alcohol OR drug addiction. And so what? What was he supposed to say? "I tried it, but I didn't like it?" Bush's War (PBS) and other documentaries have covered it. Even I, a total amatuer, recall McClellan's stonewalling, condescending press conferences. If he thinks he got screwed he should talk to Colin Powell.

Scott McClellan better hope he makes a ton of money off this book because no one will touch him with a ten foot pole and rightly so.... I am a democrat and this betrayal is disgusting!!!!! Shame on you Scott McClellan!!!

This McClellan character is quite interesting, Im real close to saying I told you so, however I dont understand why hes taking so much of the heat. Bush should be taking most of the heat. Its obvious what McClellan is, or was, he was a talking piece of the White House, lets let the man talk and hear whats really going on in the white house.

Mani from Chicago

I am sincerely excited that political scandals are being brought to the American people. We all know in our hearts that we get lied to on a daily basis and it is refreshing to finally have someone admit mistakes even if it is to sell books. The GOP is just angry because government is almost like a wealthy mans gang and Mr McCellan is the "snitch."

I believe that McClellan is telling the truth (now) in his book. No wonder the Bush adminisration is puzzled and sad... HE'S TELLING THE TRUTH. They're not sure what to make of it...

Anderson, why are you firing to this guys so hard, things he is saying are what we all knew all along. We should be happy that someone from inside this nasty administration. Let's provide a more open gateway for these guys to speak out.

Thanks!

Hi Anderson, I am watching your show right now in Atlanta and I think that as always you do a great job at trying to get to the truth. Maybe you should be the White House press secretary. I think that McClelln owes the American public more then an apology, what he did borders on criminal and its a shame that he is making money off of mis-leading the public.

It looks media is all against him(scott) Is the press ganging up on scott because he criticize them on the spot for not forthcoming either in invetigating the root cause of the war ?

Why would a person, a grown man, not apologize? He's deflecting "apologizing" to "I was told to say those things and I really believed it" yea yea yea...and he's a fast talker. I understand what's he's saying but the real change will come when he just apologizes. PERIOD. Then we will be able to move on. Some people seem to think that when they apologize it means you are taking responsibility for what happened. NO. When we apologize we are taking responsibility in what we said or did, NOT for what happened. We apologize for our part in the situation. His little fast talking but really is getting on my last nerve...even though I understand him. HE'S DOING TOOOOOO MUCH TALKING AROUND SUBJECTS! (I guess that's the point...they changed him!) lol

I'm watching the McClellan interview now and it's really irritating me that Anderson keeps cutting him off with another question or comment while Scott is trying to answer the previous question. I hate it when Larry King does this and now it seems Anderson is picking up that bad habit. It's bad interviewing techinique. Ask a question and let us hear the answer before asking the next question please!

Why are the "powers that think they be" ... spinning information about Scott, saying among other things that he wasn't in the loop? Scott was with GWB when he was Gov of TX for at least a couple years prior to becoming #43, then he was Asst Press Sec for 3 years under Ari Fleischer before he became the actual Press Sec in 2003 when Ari left post Ari's marriage? Tony Snow was there for about 1 year and Ms. Dana Perino has been there for a little over 8 months or so. Seems to me that Scott has been GWB's close proximity in one way or another for the longest amount of time (as Press Sec's go anyways). Why do they "play down" his role at all .... seems to me he should be considered senior staff (for the time he has spent in the company & employ of GWB. What say you ???

I may or not read Scott's book. There has been NOTHING said in interviews that is surprising to me. I have been saying the same kinds of things for at least 7 years and I am not even close to being a press secretary. ..it has been soooooooo obvious. Bush has lied, manipulated, laughed at the Constitution of the USA, contravened the Geneva Convention, etc. etc. More White House people should 'come forward' and perhaps these types of politicians will be exposed before they do the kind of damage Bush has done. It will take many decades to get American back on track. Bush seems to have forgotten he is a civil servant as well!

Anderson,

I can't believe I just heard you say to Scott that each day you reflect and question whether you are bias- are you kidding? If you seriously believe you are totally unbiased in your reporting- you are delusional.

What McClellan would like to say but cannot, as it would be the defining soundbite and essentially close the further discussion, is that it was part of his job to lie on the administration's behalf. Whether those lies were small, large, black. white or gray, they were necessary to the success of his job, his employer, and his charter in that structure. He was the spokesperson for the President, at the top of his profession, and the compromises he made were part of the deal.

He has now sacrificed his career, his credibility and his future to shine a light into shadows that we all know are there, and, while he is not to be commended for it, neither should the entire discussion revolve around his professional performance.

He did his job. Our President is and was willfully ignorant of the truth of the premise for a war that he started and that may never end. These are the facts, and we are better served by focusing the discourse on the latter.

I am sick of hearing Scott McLellan say he was "caught up in the Washington culture of endless campaigning" as if that releases him of all responsibility. What a cop out.

Were the Enron executives just "caught up in the culture of making the numbers"? Does that excuse their knowledge and willful participation?

McLellan should have resigned on principle at the time he was press secretary. Instead he took the easy way out.

Bob Dole's assessment of McLellan as a "miserable creature" hits the nail on the head.

Wow. Excellent interview, Anderson (what I've seen so far). Your follow up questions and interruptions to pinpoint keys were spot on. I hope you win a Peabody or Emmy or Pulitzer or something. Keep up the good work!

Anderson–your interview is not unbiased and fair, but you seem to want to trap McClellan into 'apologizing' and admitting wrongdoing while he was in the Administration. Is your entire job to keep him honest, and assume he is not? Why didn't you talk more about the content of the book? What a terrible interview!

Hi Anderson, do you know what this reminds me of, the lies and deceit, Hillary Clinton. MClellan is probalby telling the truth about what went on. Colin Powell was very quiet and disturb when he left the White House which is an indication something was very wrong. People play games in Washington and Senator Clinton is not a viable candidate because her word means nothing. It changes like the weather. We need to get away from this madness, because it is nauseating. People wake up, all the signs are there and we will have much of the same of this distorted character.

As a Republican, I just want to applaud McClellan a bit. I cannot know if everything is totally honest or fair in his accusations. Perhaps his publisher did push him too exacerbate the story. But one thing is clear. Presidents, indeed, all politicians, need to know that they will be held accountable for actions taken in the exercise of responsibility. The right to free speech is a hallmark of democracy. Without it, despots rule and ignorance is propagated as a tool of control. With it, we have the remarkable ability to hold their feet to the fire and demand a performance equal to the power entrusted to them. I do admit with some shame, that Scott's story is very consistent with the accusations made in other books such as State of Denial.

To suggest the American public have been duped or still believe what they hear from the WH press podium is stretching things. America and the world stopped seeing the press briefings as honest expressions of the real situation a long time ago. McLellan is so clearly telling the truth because we already know everything in his book – he's merely confirming it. He would help his case by just admitting he was knowingly involved in the ongoing deception.

Simply put, McClellen is a literary hero. His book has facilitated a group reflex that Biblical Algebra refers to as "Apologize-a-phobia" because when people are afraid to say sorry, they war with those who are not afrad. No political tradtion should ever have seniority over Truth.

Great interview!
Can you interview the publishing house or the editor et. al? I am interested to see what they have to say; I would imagine that Mr. McClellan has evidence and documentation to back up the majority of his claims. I would think the publishers would require some substantiation, especially with regard to several debunked memoirs (Million Little Pieces, and others). Further more, he was the press secretary, his job was to document everything, and anybody who has been in D.C. for some amount of time at that level would know to document, document, document in order to protect yourself or those for whom you work. If we have seen anything through these interviews and others is that he is not scrambling to answer questions and he is very confident in his answers, which is very telling.

To expect Scott McClellan to resign from his job because he didn't entirely agree with President Bush, et al tactics, isn't realistic for the average employee.

I like my job but I don't always think the upper adminstration handles issues with integrity. I'd like to take the high road and quit over idealogical principles but that's not wise for my current personal economics.

The day I leave my "bubble" , if anyone's interested I'll be happy to write a revealing book that may shake-up the funding of non-profits.

Give Scott a break ! He can be open about the behind-the-scenes stuff now because he's not beholden to the entity that signs his paycheck.

Anderson,

I'm watching your interview right now and I'm very surprised by your approach to McClellan. Your interview is very harsh and it appeared you were attacking him. How can we encourage honesty when the media appears to chastise those who wish to come out and highlight the truths within the government? Where were you to keep him honest during those three years? If you were this aggressive then as you (as the collective media) are now, then perhaps, this administration could not have gotten away with as much as they have these past 8 years.

I commend Mr. Mclellan on his corageous stand to expose the truth. Whether he is right or wrong, I'm sure he must have considered the potential back lash that would result. This would bring alot of attention to him either good or bad, yet he still took the stand to reveal his conscience.

I personally don't think that he did this for money. I feel that he had a greater obligation to voice his perspective.

I wish him luck in the future.

One of the things that keeps being repeated by almost all politicians and the media is the myth that no one knew that there weren’t any WMDs in Iraq. The fact that no WMDs were found was a complete surprise because everyone thought they were there. There were a few people (although they were drowned out by the majority that were hell bent on going to war no matter what) that were very clear in their assertions that there were no significant weapons in Iraq. One of the most important was UN weapons inspector Scott Ritter who was stated unequivocally that Iraq had been made to give up most if not all of their WMDs. His statements were for the most part ignored and ridiculed by the mainstream media and certainly by the administration and all politicians. Now the fact that Scott Ritter and other of us were right in the first place has been completely forgotten. The politicians and the media need to cling to their fantasy that everyone thought there were WMDs to keep them from looking like the incompetents that they truly are.

Anderson – I'm watching your interview with S McCellan and you asked good questions, but please don't interrupt so much!

Wow. This is the first interview that I have seen where someone actually pressed him. There were no absolute answers but, good job to keep digging.

I wish that someone can just ask a question and if they don't give a yes or no answer, then disregard the person. Whether that would be a senator or congressman. I am sick of double talk and I think anymore that with everything anymore.. politics.. fuel..etc... we have no control over anything. And that SUCKS!

hey anderson,

maybe you should pose these questions to the president and leave the small guy alone!

i wonder if you would ask the questions with the same vigor.

I feel it's a commendable thing for McClellan to come out "after the fact" to clear his conscious before the US public that he so diligently lied to for so many years. It still takes guts; but his lack of full acceptance of the gravity of his actions – apparent from his constant dance around simply saying what he did was both lying and plain wrong – calls into question it's genuineness. When I hear McClellan speak, he makes think of two things: 1. someone wanting to confess their sins before dying to get into heaven, and 2. someone interested in securing a place in the inner circle of the next President, who will be critical of this administration seeing as both parties' candidates are. In other words, someone with a self-benefitting agenda.

Hi Anderson, excellent interview, as above mentioned.
To me, it seems McClellen is merely restating the obvious, or, those things that have been thought to be going on. The follow-up on the question of whether or not he had those contradictory thoughts while he was in office was perfect. It seems he does not have any regrets, since not once have we heard him say sorry for what he did (misleading the people). The interesting question seems to be whether or not he is just a spineless somebody in the political machine, who now wants to cash in on his stories, or whether he is really interested in the public good. Hm, let's see. If that was so, if he really cared for this country, why would he go up on the stage and defend policies that he internally does not support? As mentioned a couple of days ago: back then, people would have resigned.

Wow! Just finished watching your interview with Scott McClellan. I was really glad that you asked the tough questions and made him squirm. Keep up the good work Anderson! You're the best thing on CNN and I really admire your integrity.

Anderson,

When you asked Scott if he he ever thought about what he was doing, and how you thought it about all the time, I was wondering if you were thinking about it now. You were pressing him so hard, you didn't even give him a chance to answer. I know you are in a time crunch but at least give your guest, a chance to answer.

I think you are a good reporter and enjoy watching you, it's just that I didn't think you were being fair.

I heard that Scott gave a copy of his book to the White House, 2 months ago and they didn't ask for any changes.

Anderson,I watched your interview with Scott McClellan and It seem that you were attacking him and you kept interrupting him when he was trying to answer your questions.I am glad some one has spoken out against the white house and about all the lying that was going on.There lies and deception has killed so many Americans and if anybody trust the government has to be a fool.

Mr. McCellan was incompetent as a press secretary and is as much to blame for the disgrace of the last eight years of this terrible administration as his former boss. His "whine & tell all" book has finally gotten him the attention he sought for so long. Your interview was very good, but please let's drop this subject for awhile! Thanks.

Hi: Anderson, My husband and I watch you and Larry almost every night but tonight I have to comment about the interview with Scott M. Please give the man a chance to answer the questions, the constant interruptions and cutting him off before he had a chance to answer gives your interview a very one sided evalution.

Anderson: Had your types been as intense with their questioning the current administration as you have been today with Scott McClellan, we would not have been occupying Iraq today and 4800 young men and women would not have wasted their precious lives.

Mr. McClellan is simply confirming the truth that you and your journalist buddies have avoided telling.

As for Bob Dole's comments, coming from a guy who seldom told the truth during his long tenure, they don't amount to a hill of beans!!!

This blog confirms why many Americans are fooled so often by Politicians. People are commenting on Why he snitched, Why now, why didn't he speak up then, why why why. What does it matter? What matters is this country has been held hostage by a mob for 8 years and misled and the only thing that will happen is talk. No one will be impeached or prosecuted. Everyone knows of Rove and Libby's guilt except those asking all the wrong questions. I do not care that he snitched or is not loyal to thugs. I only care that he eventually obtained the courage to speak up and keep history from being documented incorrect.

"He blames being stuck in the White House “bubble” but is that really a valid excuse for his actions?"

Scott is a very shrewd, saavy guy. Anderson, I can understand the skepticism and a great question.

However when you're in such an ELITE position – spokesman for the President – that can really corrupt anyone's moral integrity getting caught-up in the moment. Now in retrospect...I can see his point that he just felt it didn't make sense, the lies, not telling him the truth etc. Even on the cocaine allegations, Scott felt he was given a bunch of bull.

The truth shall prevail and we the American people are entitled to the truth. Scott McClellan has set the record straight. Others have expressed that some of his thoughts are not valid because he was not privy to all the meetings. To that I say, neither were they. So where have they all gotten their facts?

Scott McCellan is an honest man and should be praised for his book. I predict that it won' t be the last "tell all" book from this administration.

Perhaps George W. Bush may one day, himself, see the light of how things went awry.

R.D. Santee, CA

Scott McClelland is the rare example of a person associated with the Bush Administration that actually has a conscience and sense of morality. We should commend him for coming forward and voicing his new-found perspective. Neo-cons and hard-core Bush supporters bashing him for his "disloyalty" are in essence advocating loyalty over truth. Hitler, Stalin, and ironically, Saddam Hussein would have expected the same kind of loyalty over truth. They can blame Scott all they want for not "speaking up" at the time, as if that would have made a difference (other than getting him fired). But this adminstration and its congressional and corporate supporters have given us eight years of lies, distortions, and scandals; their attempt to discredit Scott rings rather hollow at this point. It would be far better for our nation if public servants in the administration had a greater sense of loyalty to the truth than loyalty to a two-dimensional thinker and his out-dated idealogy.

personally I dont believe any of the so called memoirs out of Washington. All of them have their own agenda and want to get ahead. Doesnt matter if you are republican or a democrat they are all out for themselves.

re: "He blames being stuck in the White House “bubble” but is that really a valid excuse for his actions? He says he was caught up in the Washington game, but does that justify making what he now admits were misleading statements?"

Now, I'm not familiar with what the exact role of the WH Press Sec'y is, but my guess is that they don't have much of a say as to what's to be said or not. I get the feeling that you have to just believe it enough to argue it, but isn't that what good speakers and debaters do? They defend something that they don't nec. believe? In fact, they don't have to have a personal opinion at all–they just have to field questions and represent their boss, the President.

However, I will say this, when it's and "us versus them" sort of world like I can imagine the bubble enclosed by the Beltway probably is, I'm sure it's easy to get defensive.

Eh, but I'm from Chicago who grew up with a little too much political cynicism.

I think it takes alot of courage to do what Scott is doing. If he spoke out to the administration, he would not have had a job any longer. Who wants to become jobless in a country where our jobs are going? A country where a great AMERICAN company like Ford is moving to Mexico!!
I think he deserves a lot more money than he will make off of this book. I am thoroughly enjoying the current Press Secretary and all the others that are trying to defend and to make Scott look like a traitor. It proves (to me) and backs up EXACTLY what Scott is saying about them.
I think he kind of did admit to doing the deception in a Washington kind of way.. He was in that "bubble" for so long it is hard to break it, you know?
Thanks for the interview– it was good.

OK, Scott is no saint, and you've confronted him, in my opinion, more aggressively than I've seen any commentator confronting an active government representative. But, if Scott wanted to defend himself actively he could accuse you (or most other corporately-employed newsperson) for the same issues–why haven't you resigned in the face of likely bias, if not deception on the part of the higher authority (CNN, in your case) . Using military shills as unbiased military commentators, campaign reps as seeming unbiased political commentators, failing to report issues that are important but likely too explosive for the corporate honchos to stomach, etc.

Scott, for his part, could readily explain himself by analogies in the religious, business, military or even other political sectors, where 'allegiance' to the game plan, being a 'team player', buying into a theme even if not all of it is sensible, etc. is the only way to survive. Anyone familiar with most business environments, in particular, will recognize the priority of not making waves when it will detract from the goals of the organization, much less promote skepticism on the whole enterprise (witness the pharm industry, the tobacco CEOs under oath, the financial industry recently ). You can't say these folks are not feathering their own nests at the expense of the truth. Never seen a smoker die? I'm a retired doctor now, with deep regrets about the misinformation-for-profit behavior of many sectors that feed off the ills of the public).

Of course, Scott should admit to personal ambition that may have clouded his judgement about coming clean or resigning at the appropriate time. Not the first to have such mortal flaws, but they need to be recognized.

And, finally, Scott is not the first to say what he has about the Bush administration, just the most intimately connected to the scene. That lends credibility, even if Scott is not the cleanest messenger of this torrid story.

Anderson, with the new revealation of the Scott McClellan book....can you please ask him "Does the Bush Administration know where Osama bin Laden is or are they really looking for him?"

Anderson, I am an avid viewer of CNN, as I believe that it is the most respectable of the news stations on television. However, I have a big problem with today's form of journalism in general and the lack of regard for true dialogue in this country! I happen to be a person (college-graduate, worked in my field for five years, and now work for myself by choice) who believes that the media has done a horrible job with letting the critical part of a story be told. We know and understand that there is some necessary censoring of sorts, but the Scott McClellan interview happens to be about one of the most important topics in world politics and world relations, and deserves to be talked about in a way that is fair and balanced. Even your grilling questions and method of conversation does not allow Mr. McClellan to finish his thoughts and views in a clear concise way, where viewers can understand where he is coming from. It burns my nerves to listen to this kind of journalism on ANY CHANNEL or NETWORK. American people are critical thinkers, no matter what background we come from. And though I truly believe that politicians rely on the mush-mindedness of many uneducated American people to be able to push their views (through psychological pandering), there are those of us who watch closely and listen thoroughly to the perspectives of these so-called adults who are supposed to be running our country. There is no way that Scott McClellan is just coming from left field on EVERYTHING he is saying. And American people deserve to hear opposing perspectives, because this is a so-called democracy!!! Let the man talk so we can hear what he is trying to say! That's why his book sold out on Amazon in the first day, because people are TIRED! People are tired of the smoke screen politics that have been the theme in American politics for the last hundred years!! When someone truly has something to say, they get shut out or even worse, KILLED!

I just finished watching a replay of your interview with Scott McClellen.
To say the least, I was not pleased. Having read the book, it does appear to me that this is a man who sincerely wants to set the record straight. I have always enjoyed your "Keeping Them Honest" segment of the news. Tonight, however, your interrogation of Scott McClellan kept me wondering: "whose agenda are you promoting?"

How could McClellan do anything other than what he did – which was convey the message the White House wanted conveyed to the American people. Go against your employer and you'll be on the street in short order. Quit on principle? Doesn't happen – we are all too tied to our paycheck. I quit a job with a pre-Enron leading accounting firm – I think you know the firm I'm referring to – and was regarded by peers and even some members of my family as a crazy old woman. It didn't take Scott's book for me to become disallusioned with the Bush administration. I hope he sells a million copies!

You chastised McClellan a bit about taking personal responsibility for not allowing oneself to be manipulated by others who you suspect may be trying to twist the truth, reminding him that he was a civil servant after all.

Anderson, I am a huge fan of yours and, therefore, hugely disappointed that you did not take that advice yourself last night. It was clear that you had reservations about that special investigations piece by Drew Griffin. It was lopsided, at best. The omissions were significant; and the way you folks rolled them out in Campbell Brown's segment this evening was pretty sleezy.

I know it was not your investigation, but why did you allow your name to be attached to this? It was clear, last night, that you were uncomfortable with this story. It seems to me that you had an instinct that you didn't act upon.

Perhaps you have more in common with McClellan than you realized during tonight's interview with him. Just food for thought. I'm still a fan of yours.

I think that Scott was very courageous to write this book. He was very loyal to Bush and little by little his belief in his "hero" began to crumble. Like many of us have experienced, he finally realized that his hero wasn't the person he thought he was.

So why all the criticism of Scott? He has told the world that he was wrong. He admits to his mistakes. He wishes he could have said something sooner, but his loyalty kept him from expressing his doubts.

Scott stepped out of the circle and was finally able to see things clearly. He spoke up, and I'm glad he did. He's given us another opportunity to see into the secretive activities of the Bush administration. He took a great risk to do this. We should all be thankful to him.

Great interview Anderson! I'm not a big CNN fan, but you alone can draw me in. Your professionalism, fairness, and integrity shined brightly in this interview.
Scott McLellan is shameless. I'll never understand how a grown man can excuse his actions by blaming others. It's embarassing. We all have choices and some of us have strong values to guide us. Scott mentioned his morale upbringing... huh? It's people like him that contribute to exactly what he's complaining about, Washington group think! He's a follower. He can only blame himself for that. Yes, he does owe the American public an apology.

So what happened with the live blog tonight? That was slow moving.

Anyhow – I tried to say that the interview was interesting and that both Anderson & Scott did very well.

It appears that censorship is alive and well, since my comment of 10:48 that was undergoing review has not yet been posted, although comments past that time have been "approved" . I am honored to be so correct as to be banned. Thanks for the validation.

AC,

Thanks for "keeping it real" you are definitely one of the few news anchors who actually takes their role in the media seriously, well from what you portray.
I think Mr. McClellan decided to come out when he noticed the water rising to the Bush Administration's chin. When it comes to politics, few have INTEGRITY. Regardless, I admire him for realizing his mistakes and trying to do right by all American's who are in economic despair due to THEIR war. I am prior enlisted military and I definitely understand what he means when referring to a "bubble." I remember being in Iraq and seeing how the military reacted when Politicians visited the war zone, it was ridiculous to see our lives dependent upon them. Unfortunately that is still the case for my brothers and sisters in arms.

But guess what? We're all caught up in the Washington game, we are paying $4/gal!

Peace...

Gabie
Oxnard, CA

Hey Anderson,
I am enjoying your fast-paced, in-depth interview and feel compelled to write during it. I have not read the book but from the news stories it seems like Scott McClellan omitted mentioning the control of oil being the major reason for G.W. Bush to launch a pre-emptive strike against Iraq Bush knew to be a weak country without WMDs. Had Iraq the capability to launch an immediate nuclear attack against Israel, he would have stayed away. To say that G.W.Bush wanted to spread democracy in the Middle-east is to imply that he did find democracy in Asia necessary. Had G.W.Bush acted with the same passion for democracy around the world, he would have simultaneously bombed North Korea, Russia and China. He did not because of the lack of an abundance of oil and the presence of nuclear warheads in these countries. The book, it seems to me, is not crystal clear on the truth as far as I am able to divine it. Whether right or wrong, my version of the truth needs a rigorous analysis, and not conveniently overlooked due to expediency.

Anderson – I wish you asked such tough questions in 2004 – your indignation is a bit late. YOU should apologize to the American people for not doing your job as a journalist back then and asking the tough questions of the Bush Administration. Going after McClellan now is a bit pathetic – 20/20 hindsight.

Would you let the man finish answering you, before you jump in with something else, the more you try to corner this man the worse you look

wonderful anderson, as usual.u r always thought provoking.i live in london,and watch u at around 3am!!..well worth it though.carry on the good work.

For all saying to "give him a chance to answer"... I think that Anderson did. Maybe he seemed to be cutting him off but in all reality, it was to get passed the typical plundering! Scott started going down a side road and Anderson stopped him. That is what a true journalist should do. I hate when an interviewer cuts someone off because they are not 'hearing' what they want to hear. But, this is the first time I have heard someone actually drill the questions and not just hang back as a panzy. This Is a big issue and I am glad that Anderson is pushing some sense out of it.

Why is the focus of all the press coverage on Scott and not on the Bush administration and what they did? How come no one is asking the Bush administration the tough questions that are being asked of Scott?

I am shocked you are questioning the value of truth Anderson.
It is self-evident that there is no transparency at the whitehouse.
The war: a failed enterprise that has accomplished nothing & cost us everything.
McClellan's job was what? Spokesperson; which by design are like parrots. To ask him to feel guilt is rediculous and you as an intelligent reporter can't see beyond that? wake up

Great Job Anderson and TY

Go back into the transcript of the very first debate between Gore and Bush. There you will find Bush's comment that if he won the Presidency, he would go after Sadaam.
Why no one has ever picked up on this is beyond me, but there it has been in black and white all this time.
Wake Up America!

Anderson, do you think you & your show asked enough tough questions back then? What do you think?

Call me naive, but if Scott McCellan is telling the truth, I don't care about his motives. I think that is exactly what the Bush Administration would want me to focus on, his motivation. Actually, he really hasn't said anything I didn't already believe, except for the spreading Democracy in the Middle East bull. Either way, I'm not buying his book.

IN FACT just the fact that a "Whitehouse Spokesperson" would write this stuff is what matters. not whether or not he is part of the problem.

Anderson, you asked if Scott thought he owed the American public an apology. Maybe, but there are many people above him (Bush, Cheney, Rumsfield, Rice, Wolfowitz, etc.) that are the ones that truly owe the American public much more than an apology. Also, Wolf Blitzer, yourself, David Gregory, Charlie Gibson, and many more media people and media executives have not apologized for their role in the lead-up to the war and subsequently. When are you going to apologize?

I really don't want to be president Bush right now and if I were him (meaning President Bush), I would call Scott up and would ask for clarification. That in my mind makes President Bush better than Scott, who rather than just going on an all bang attack he merely said: "He would work to forgive Scott". (whatever the motivations might be i.e. political / personal / emotional or whatever).

In retrospect, moral of the story is In politics : Trust No 1. ( Do i sound like Fox Mulder? i know i don't =| )

Rick

Anderson, I think it's about time someone came out and told the truth of what I have always felt was going on in the Bush White House. Too bad it is so late!! I have always felt G.W. Bush was just finishing up on his father's business. With Rove, Rumsfled and Chenney they all had a hand in this and were the driving force behind W in misleading the public and their untrue motives in the Iraq war. Bob Dole is a perfect example of the Republican cover up and how they try to not tell the American people what is really going on in the government. They are a bunch of elitist espically when it came to the Katrina debocal. I feel people like Scott are trying to show what had happened during these times and get the truth out. Give the guy a break. He is at least trying to get the truths out. His book, which I have not read, is showing what I think a lot of people felt. At least he is stepping up to the plate and letting the American people what went down and he is suffereing the consequenses for it. The future will show what W and his cronies did to mislead the public through out this time in the white house. It is time for a change and some truth in OUR government and I do hope with all my heart this will happen with this election. I personally am sick and tired of the way I have seen these people ruin our government and the mistrust these so called public servants have generated with the American public. Who can we trust anymore???
Karie
San Diego, CA

Anderson, on the west coast just finishing up watching the interview with Scott McMcellan, just a quick question for you. Would you ever hire this guy into your company? My concern would be loyalty, integrity and commitment to a job or company that he works for. If he had any kind of backbone he would have spoke up earlier.

Laura,
Langley, British Columbia, Canada

You asked good questions tonight of McClellen. I believe him. And I don't care that it is a few years later. The White House is mad.........so what. Or, as Cheney says "SO".

Anderson,

Wish you had let Scott speak and not continually cut him off. After 40 years I am no longer a Republican because of GW Bush and his constant spin on the truth.

Scott is just calling Bush out on his BS! Let him talk!

I've watched several interviews with Scott McCleelan, Anderson your's is the best and most informative. I can't believe after all the years of his involvement in Washington politics that he would like the american public to believe he was "caught up" in the moment of the Bush administration. He's trying to make it sound like he was totally innocent in what he had to deliver in representing the President's message to the press and the american public. I'm not buying it. Furthermore, it's not about why he is doing this, it's more about why now? The timing into the campaign is too convenient and he obviously shares the views of BO's of changing the politics in Washington. Is this just another way to put his own personal agenda in action through a potential presidential canadidate and still reap the monetary rewards in the interim. In light of all the turmoil and chaos caused by full transparency and outragious comments of any individuals that can impact politics (Rev. Wright, Scott McCleelan, Rev. Pfleger, etc.), no wonder voters have had it with politics. Transparency only provokes these disloyal and hateful americans to publish more books and promote their own personal cause. What ever happened to teaching our young voters about american history and moral values and providing good examples in Washington. This time in american politics is disgusting. Given the unusual amount of young voters for BO, I would like to see Anderson do an interview with the author of the "Dumbest Generation" – Under 30.

" Rick Diaz ... The truth shall prevail and we the American people are entitled to the truth. Scott McClellan has set the record straight. Others have expressed that some of his thoughts are not valid because he was not privy to all the meetings. To that I say, neither were they. So where have they all gotten their facts? "

I bring this comment in because I am not a republican or a democrat. How any person at this point in time can set the record straight is confusing. How can Bush's and Clinton's alike think that there is WMD's in Iraq, but now, everyone claims there were none there? It all matters on what side of the bed you are sleeping in DC! McClellan is setting the record straight? The thing is, if any Bush or Clinton ever get sinto the White House again it will be the same. Let's get some farmer from mid America and let him or her use some actual common sense and integrity and get back to what we were all about!

Is there really anyone who’s been paying attention for the last seven and a half years that had not already reached Mr. McClellan’s conclusions — long before he started his book tour? Editorial Board, NYTimes

Anderson,
It seems as tho, there was a "Pre Deny McClellan" camp already set up before he had done his first interview. Ari and the rest of the White House administration got together one morning after recieving the book in advance a month ago,and had already decided what story they were to tell the Media when asked. I watched your show and all the rest of the Media Markets, ( well, all ecept for Fox News). Those are the biggest bunch of idiots in the history of News Broadcasting.
Anyway, everyone of them were stuck on it seemed like the same well rehearsed word, "Puzzled". How can all of these people come on television and use the same word at the same time. I could understand it when the word "Pundit" was used by people over and over. Because they probably heard you use it first.
Now, if there is any truth to McClellan's book, could there be grounds for impeachment. Mr. Powell did the right thing when he resigned. He knew he had lied to the American people. He probably even knew that this day would come and, he didn't want to be in the scandel.

Hi Anderson,
I read, then watched the interview. I must say, I really don't know what to think, but maybe it will sink in more as the days go by. If there was a bunker mentality, I think we all were to blame to some degree. We Americans, to this day, are in our own partisan cubicles. That mindset tends to really jump start the spinning into motion and can grow it into lies real fast. Our leaders should know better. But they didn't and don't.

Lorie Ann, Buellton, Calif.

Anderson
I was disappointed to see you holding the same talking line as the WH.
Is deja-vu all over again, the media taking cues from the spin doctors at the administration. In no time you gave the public to know what was the book about in your quest to kill the massager.
I guess you did not like the part about the media going soft on the administration during the biggest foreign policy blunder in the history of this country.

Wow, my last submitted post was banned too Michael. I guess I need to tone it down. I was compelled to blog because I was surprised the way the interview went. I thought Anderson would be intrigued and excited to have an x-White House insider give the public "the real scoop." But instead, I was disappointed as it seem like Scott seemed on trial. However, I think Mr. McClelland held his ground. I'm glad he wrote the book and shared his story.

And....Anderson is still one of my favorite journalists

Hello Anderson,

Great interview tonight. I believe it was definitely one of your best I have ever seen. I love the way you can pose the tough questions and look Mcclellan straight in the eye in such a way that begs a direct answer not that you got honest answers from that spinner but certainly not for lack of trying. Thanks for all that you do, now get some sleep.

Danielle M
Toronto,ON

At last we have a good ole Texas boy tell what it really was like to be so disillusioned by this " Bush " . This Bush that is so stubborn that he lets so many things happen rather than say " I was wrong " . He certainly has earned his place in history and it's at the bottom of the stack . I feel sorry for his dad when we all know that he would not have done this to our country . The father is a far wiser man anyway . At seventy one years I have seen a few presidents and this one came off as the dumbest , yet most deceitful president besides Richard Nixon . At least Nixon sounded like a person with some education . This one can not make a complete sentence . This whole bunch that surrounded this White House have been so inept , how much more damage can it do before January ??

I appreciate you efforts to hold folks like McClellan accountable. However, I don't understand why, in addition, there is so comparatively little reporting on the fact that this is the umpteenth book written by a White House staffer, cabinet member, loyalist, etc., that is saying essentially the same thing about this Administration, i.e., I don't see anything wrong for news anchors leading with a headline that states "Another former W.H staffer [or cabinet member or loyalist] accuses the Bush Admin of deception and of ignoring facts necessary for competent governance" as opposed to: "Whoa!, Joe Blow wrote a book accusing the W.H. of deception and cherry picking. Yowza!, what a bomshell."

Gimme a break. Is not the damage that this Administration has done during the last 7.5 years worthy of holding *them* accountable? Is not their consistent incompetence and disregard of contrary opinion a larger bombshell than the symptom that McClellan represents?

John Arnold
Siletz, OR-

Anderson, part of your problem with your interviewing technique is that your personal bias shows. I'm not a McClellan fan by any means, but this was not an interview, it was an interrogation. You kept interrupting him, beginning your comment with the word "but....." and at times it was like an argument.

Isn't the purpose of an interview to get the interviewee to give up information and to let the audience decide? You need to practice what you preach, because this is not the first time you have done this.

Many criticize McClellan for lack of loyalty to President Bush. But isn't loyalty to the nation and our Constitution and respect for the lives of our troops more important?
Kam

I just think this is not right. He is cashing in on a high profile job. He was the spokeperson! Doesn't he fault himself at all. Your interview was good-he's deflecting

I'm so tired of everyone talking and interviewing these guys such as Scott McClellan. Lets face it our government messed up seriously with the war but lets not let another guy write a book pointing fingers and making money off of our American Soldiers such as myself and start working on fixing this serious national problem. We need to bring our friends, family and brothers home. Stop feeding these guys who just want to make money off our issues and lets work on the problems.

Scott Mcellan is a snitch. Nothing he says can be trusted and no respectable democrat will align him/herself with a rat.

Scott is a botch. He sits and points fingers at everyone but to me is a hypocrite that doesn't deserve all the attention that he will receive from this book. Every interview he has had different answers to his questions, he never seems fully positive of anything he is saying, and has openly admitted that some of the things he spoke of in the book he was not there to first hand experience. If things were so bad he should have resigned from his position from the beginning instead of writing a book. I can't figure out why all these politicians think that writing a book is comparable to actually changing something in the american government. Trying to make a buck on the popular opinions of americans who let the news make decisions for them, instead of being educated on actual FACTS doesn't make you the all knowing God to write a book.

Vote McCain.

Anderson,
Your interview with Mr McClellan was like none I've ever see you conduct before; there was an unparalleled combativeness to your tone and manner.
You would be the most respected man in journalism if you conducted all interviews in such a hard hitting manner... but as this was unique to Scott, it came off as though you were punishing him for growing a conscience and displaying a fundamental lack of respect. A level of respect that you would demonstrate for any politician- no matter how two faced.
Keep it up?

Anderson, wherever there is a smoke, there is a fire. I dont see that Scott would pull a story like this just to sell his book. I dont think he needs the money this bad. What I think the motive from writing this book is telling the truth to the American people because, he felt guilty of not doing it a long time ago. So, personally believe him

Anderson Cooper,

As you interview Scott McClellan you so sincerely point out how its a big deal for you to strive to be "unbiased" in your work each day - Then we move immediately to a short piece with Bill Clinton and "Boney Flair" - uh, Tony Blair - a "superdelegate" for Clinton's wife Hillary. Get over yourself - you're as unbiased as the Catholic priest at Trinity United in Chicago. At least McClellan got honest with himself!

Wow! Someone actually disillusioned with the Cheney-Rove-Bush regime. Welcome back to the real world, Scott. There's hope for you.

After all the deceit and manipulativeness of this administration, I find it difficult to understand why anyone would not have confidence in Scott McClellan's views of the White House. In typical fashion, of course, they're out to discredit him left and right. And yet, it'd be nice, just for once, to have someone in government ever admit that they were dead wrong and apologize for it.

Your interview tonight was one of the BEST I have ever heard you do.
I loved your line. This is a man that is very angry about something, I think it is much more than just realizing he was duped. I appreciate your holding him accountable. If he really wants to change Washington...it won't be by such a book, he has already shown us he is willing to lie to us (as you said he was a civil servant). We call "Liers, liers because that is what they do, they lie".

We all know truth is always in question when dealing with politicians. And truth is always bias. I for one, am not interested in "following an admitted lier" so I'm certainly not open to his ideas on how to resolve things. He shows no respect for the office of the president. His actions do not indicate he is really interested in changing things. He is out for destruction, he must be awfully mad. Was he passed over for a position he coveted or something.

If Scott McClellan has suddenly been stricken with some sort of moral character, then I do think he owes all of us a sincere apology. He should be repentant not self righteous.

Ok. Let me get this straight.

Bob "Mr. I Hawk Viagra on Late Night TV" Dole tells McClellan he "cashes in"?

Note McClellan's change in facial expression every time he says the phrase "transform the Middle East". Still selling.

Anderson, the only thing better than watching you skewer the guy would have been getting to do it myself. THANK YOU. It's about time somebody asked why they can't tell the truth...

I am quite disappointed in ou hard line interview of McClellan.
This man is taking a huge risk in coming forth and baring his White House soul to the world. While he worked as press secretary he had to wear the face of an employee of the government and was compelled to do whatever was asked of him to do by the White House big wigs All employees have to wear the company mask and McClellan is not different. Anderson, CNN is your boss and you have to run your show just the way they tell you to do.

I knew the war was a sham like many American and I knew we were being hoodwinked and lied to just like you knew, Anderson. You asked McClellan if he felt he had betrayed the America people? He was only the messenger– so stop giving him hell.

Anderson-
I saw Scott McClellan doing exactly as he did in the White House- dancing around the topic and spouting repetative non answers. It somewhat concerns me if as he says- those inside the White House are insulated from the 'larger perspective' . Of course , if that is true- it would account for the administrations seemingly total lack of awareness of how real people in this country are feeling. I felt he offered nothing that was genuine. He certainly has a right to his opinion. It's bothersome that when he states how betrayed he felt, and how isolated- he didn't leave immetiately. I would assume at that level of civil servant positions- you sort out what you can live with and still look at yourself when you brush your teeth- or what you can't face and act accordingly. It's beyond tiresome for public officials to either commit bad actis or condone them and then throw themselves on the mercy of the rest of us. And they get rewarded for it. I've been in the position over the years to be at polar opposite with my boss- and have worked to find another position. Mr. McClellan was getting something out of his job as Presss Secretary- otherwise whe wound not have accepted and kept the job.

yes i think scott Mclellen should apoligize because that is wrong.

I'm horrified that Bob Dole could call Scott McClellan a "horrible creature" while still being married to that HORRIBLE CREATURE also known as Elizabeth Dole. That horrible creature lied to the citizens of North Carolina saying she was a caregiver to that poor old woman who gave birth to her. She never showed up in the state until she had to bury that 101 victim of her neglect. Bob Dole should go get another HGH (Human Growth Hormone) shot and give it a rest. That crazy old clown he's married to looks like quazimoto as she shuffles her way around this state bribing one ignorant Sheriff after another.. Elizabeth Dole is a true embarrassment to the US Senate and to the state of North Carolina. Bob Dole should protect his good record in the Senate and divorce that fornicating old gold-digging slapper who ruined his marriage 30 years ago! She is truly a disgrace!

The way this interview was conducted by Anderson gave me the impression that he was the defense attorney for the Bush administration. This fast paced interview with constant grilling and cutting off Scott McClellan before he could finish his responses (real annoying and unprofessional) seemed like an effort to keep him off balance and attempt to make him stumble. Kudos to Scott McClellan for keeping his composure and calmly explaining his viewpoints. Press secretaries are nothing more than the official spin machine for an administration. To think that any presidential press secretary does not live in a bunker mentally in today's world, is I believe, quite naive. Specially when the higher levels of a presidential administration will often compartmentalize information as is common practice in the intelligence and military communities. Don't condemn the messenger for retrospective hindsights when the journalistic community as a whole did a pretty pathetic job of seeing through the Bush neo-con agenda. In writing such a critical book of his former employer, Scott McClellan has shown great courage and conscience; it isn't an easy task when one knows all the heat that's going to come your way. I'm convinced historians will regard it as an important insider's perspective on what is arguably the worst American administration in history.

It is abundantly clear now that there was deliberate deception perpetrated on the American people, and the world for that matter. The big question is: Who knew the truth? Did the President know, then knowingly disseminate misinformation? Or, did he take advisors at their word and unknowingly spread falsehoods? I do not, as a rule, trust what comes from the Press Secretary because, in spite of his public servant status, ultimately he answers to the President, and it is his job to relay information given to him, and sell it. But I do want to know if our President is truthful. I have always believed people such as Dick Cheney and Donald Rumsfeld were "old school" Republicans, in that they believed that "might is right" and the hell with what the American people thought. Neither of them would let public opinion decide any issue, if the opinion was contrary to theirs. I think this administration will go down as a deceitful and highly secretive one.

Regarding some comments as to McClellan's motive(s) for writing such a book, I ask, "What does it matter"? If he's telling the truth, does it matter if it was for money, or a dying wish to his grandmother? That is just another example of the Republican party using slight of hand to distract the public..."Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain". Harry Houdini must have been a Republican because they sure seem to know all the tricks.

The fact of the matter is, I have become rather disillusioned with both parties. Two terms of Bush administration lies, preceded by two terms of Clinton administration lies, and so on. Perhaps saddest of all, is America's loss of stature around the world. We plunged head first into a war, despite the evidence, and damn whatever the rest of the world thought should be done. For a country held in such high esteem at one point, it was the height of arrogance.

Excellant interview Mr.Cooper. It illistrated one of the old problems on our path to democracy which again has reared it's ugly head. Many, best seen in the current administration, believe loyalty to be a virtue to serve a king. Those people, McClellan and his old pals, wrongly believe that king, to be the president, whom is only the clerk to the true king; the people of this nation. And as kings, we the people will reward McClellen for admitting treasoneous behavior by buying his book and filling his pocketbook, when not beheading or imprisoning him is more than enough. Perhaps one day we all realize what a truly great gift our founding fathers have given us all. Until then I can only HOPE to see that day; which is to say, continue to allow myself to be tormented.
That's right Obama, HOPE has always been and will always be a torment. For simply acknowledging that we kings will make you our clerk. Sorry for that last little bit of topic. I still see so much ignorance in us to elect Bush not once but twice and then falling even harder for more propaganda. But, I don't know, maybe this is just our ebb and flow or ying and yang. Or perhaps one day our "eduacated elite" will not become so "institutionally eduacated."

Hi Anderson,

Let me start out by saying that I am a fan of your show and what I respect the most about you is the passion and integrity with which you do your job. I do, however, believe that your McClellan interview was not entirely fair. Yes, it was fair to ask him the questions that you did, but not how you asked them. I kept on thinking, 'I wish he would let him finish answering the questions....' You probably are one of the very few (or only) journalist who has read McCllelan's book in its entirety and has gotten to interview him. I understand that you may have been eager to ask all that you wanted to ask, but it seemed instead that you wanted to express your opinion.

The thing I would like to say most is that the press has suffered from the same inability to question our elected leaders [re the build-up to the war] as Scott McCllelan and others who now have misgivings about having given the President and Vice President carte blanche. Your segment with CNN reporter Jessica Yellin on Wednesday says it all. I remember thinking during the build-up to the war, 'Is no politician OR even member of the press going to express a cautionary advice or a dissenting opinion for fear of being labeled unpatriotic?' The most "brave" and "honest" people turned out to be everyday citizens who protested the beginning of the war....

Look, I am originally from a country where questioning your elected officials is not a right. My family defected to America because of this. It is one of the things that I love most about being an American citizen.

I guess we learn from our mistakes and time gives us the perspective that we don't have at the time we make certain decisions. So, let Scott McClellan speak....Actually, I wish that members of the media would also come out and speak about what happened!

I thought the interview was fair and tough.
I also think that McClellan is now a man with a huge weight off his chest. This is his moment and I totally feel him.
There are times in our every day jobs that we go along with the way the bubble is shaped. Today I talked to a representative who knows her company is frauding people out of tons of money in fees. They are being sued left and right. She didn't want to address that, just said what was already prepared for her to reply to an irate customer.
I find myself going along at work and reaping the benefits of doing so. The benefit of taking care of my kids, paying my rent and keeping up with my car payment to name a few things.
The point is that better late than never. I am glad he picked now to do this. He should be commended and now he needs to get more specific. This will hopefully open up the potential for transparency in our government.
And I hope McClellan votes for Obama in 08!

So many are questioning Mr. McClellan regarding his failure to speak up while serving the President. How many times do we have to hear that the President does not like to hear anything that opposes his view and interpretation of facts, events, of reality. This is the "bubble" McClellan refers to, one where no dissent is tolerated, frank discussions on issues with varying facets do not occur in this White House. President Bush, Karl Rove, Vice President Chaney used McClellan to spread their clouded, skewed vision of the world. Only upon leaving has he realized how used and abused he was as well as the American people. I admire his courage. He knew all too well, what type of speaking points the White House would use against him. The Bush family motto is "Loyalty above all else" and woe be to anyone who veers from their concept of loyalty. I believe Mr. McClellan has been loyal ... to the American people.

I am inclined to believe McClellan. If he had spoken up at the beginning or told President Bush he couldn't do what he was expected to do then we would never know what really is going on in the White House. Furthermore we all knew Bush was involving us in the Iraq war for oil and nothing else. Why people voted for this idiot for president is beyond me. It was all money that got him there. I bet in years to come we will find out that Bush was not running the country he was just a spokesman.
We can look at Secretary of State Powell when he was trying to convince the UN of the WMD's in Iraq. You could tell on his face he was making up that story. I had a lot of faith in Powell until he spoke at the UN. He knew it was a lie, why didn't he quit?

The one major question not asked during your interview I believe still needs to be addressed: "When McCellean took the oath of his office, he swore to defend the constitution. Why was that not asked of him? Instead of loyalty to the president being the issue. The constitution states that law is supreme and that we are a country of laws not of people.

Anderson you did a great job of interviewing Scott McClellan. I really liked the way you questioned when he'd say "in the bunker", and the "bubble". You absolutely didn't let him evade your questions. Excellent interview.

You have opened the door on many issues for all of us so that the amount of information we have on issues is greatly increased, Anderson, but often it seems that the information comes to us jaded so that we see it a certain way. It is time for you and all of news' personnel to just give us information and let us decide how to think about it. Style is important, and you have incredible style; however, your style is not what should guide us to coming to our own conclusions. Our conclusions should be our own, and they should be reached by using having access to information without prejudice.

It is obvious to anyone who reads newspapers or watches news programs on television that corporate interests impact the actual news that we get. Your integrity should allow you to step above all that and get you to give us just the facts. Please consider that for future interviews and news casts. Thank you.

Hi Anderson,

I watched your interview .......... YOU WERE TOUGH, but FAIR!

I LOVE THAT!

All these revelations make me doubt everything about POLITICS!

Thanks for keeping them honest!

Liz

Anderson, I think a lot of us are curious about the real circumstances which caused McClellan's departure as Press Sec. Is there actual cause for the "disgruntled" defense? Not that it matters- they are clearly all guilty of treason, war cimes and crimes against humanity. To the gallows with the whole administration! Bush, Cheney, Rice, Rove, Rumsfield, etc. They all deserve to hang!!!!

The public is needs journalists to step up and ask tough questions of those in power and hold them accountable just as they did during Hurricane Katrina. McClellan has said that most journalists fell down on the job during the run up to the war–Anderson's interview with him last night is a good example of the kind tough and probing questioning that should be standard practice for all reporters.

For everyone that is so righteous about McClellan. All I can say is, WHO DID YOU VOTE FOR IN 2004? How is it EVERYONE knew he was lying, but he was re-elected. Resoundingly as I recall...

It's easy to believe he was duped when the majority of the US was.

As far as coming clean sooner, you don't believe him now; why would you have believed him then?

I had seen other interviews with Mr. Mclellan, but not to wonderfully butter you up; your questions are the most throrough ones that he has had to anwer so far. What I understood about him stating as being "caught in the Washington game" was that he meant to say "yes, I was as much part of the deceptions and lies as much as those White House officials were, and I did not want to look the other way". I think on occasion he was trying to say that he appologizes for being part of those deceptions, but we have yet to hear a direct apology to the American public from him. That should done if he wants to establish the legitimacy of his message.

Thank you Anderson for holding his feet to the fire and asking tough questions. I understand the reason for your interruptions - you can let people babble on about their talking points, but you had a lot of questions for him and relatively little time to ask them. Continue making sure your guests are properly grilled. I personally am glad McClellan is at least speaking out on this and commend him for his bravery, but it doesn't mean he should be given a soft interview. The questions you asked are common questions the American people have, and it's very refreshing to see a journalist on TV asking the tough questions on behalf of the public.

We all want to know why he didn't resign, and I agree with a comment above - McClellan refuses to admit that it was his job as a press secretary to lie. The softer words are "spin" and "misleading," but guess what? It's all lies to me.

your persuit of fact from scott can only be obtained from impeachment / criminal proceeding. scott however provide valuable insight from inner circle which we should encourage rather than muzzling. job for press should be side of scott not administration since they already have ample mussle for coverup without help of press. i totally agree with scott that press abandoned completely thier responsibility to check on bush as obviouosly shown in iraqui wmd case. don,t tell us that everybody bellieved iraqui had one. press consistently ignored cia leake that they do not. i think that commercial news organization sould get out of business and public news organization takes over since you guys only act as mouth piece of administration. afterall, you guys are there for profit and public dont have but bush clan has money.

Have people present, and have it filmed, when you ask McClellan whether he had a ghost writer or editor who had a significant input to the creation of the book. If people say he was not a complainer prior to the book and that it was out of character, and that it sounded more like that of a leftist blogger, then it likely was mostly written by someone else who had an agenda or strong opinions..

Someone likely had the idea that he should write a book and maybe even offered to do it, for some cut in the profits. You likely won't get a truthful answer, that is why I say have people in the room to watch his expressions carefully, and have it filmed. Even ask him if he is willing to take a lie detector test, at the end, and watch his reaction.

If he says he will not speak about the book until a certain time, that indicates that he has to read it himself to find out what he is deemed to have written. I know a person who has really written the book would know what is in it and would not have to bone up before an interview. Being a competent author takes a lot of time, so he should already know the book far better than anyone.

Anderson great interview, I really enjoyed it. I believe Scott is telling the truth as he feels it, his truth. I feel he is a man that would have regrets if he felt he had unknowningly or unwittingly been part of a cover up for the Iraq war. I can also believe that one can get caught up in the White House game, there were many that did and feared Bush's confirmation on WMD's might put America in great danger. Bush not Scott is the man who has much to answer for.

Very dissapointed with your approach to interviewing Scott McLellan!
Why so confrontational ? He was simply giving his viewpoint based on his experience with the Bush Administration. We all know that the first casualty of war is the truth and the Bush White house is as bad as it's ever been. What Mclellan has to say is not surprising to me at all. If you spent less time attacking Mclellan and more time dealing with what he had to offer your interview would have been more compelling.

Anderson,
I thought he was quite credible. Let's be honest. The American people aren't stupid (well, okay, maybe some). We've known this has been going on for a long time. You could see the guy was uncomfortable when you watched him as Press Secretary. Telling all the lies over and over made him sick and he finally had to talk.
I believe him.

Anderson and Company, thanks for attacking the problem at the source – political servants that embrace the "political" but not the "servant". These people work for us. We should be able to expect nothing less than transparency, honor, and honesty.

FYI to all you CNN fans – Yahoo added a 20 minute edit of the McClellan interview to their "news ticker" this weekend.

Scott sure blinks a lot when he's not sticking to script.

I'm usually pretty perceptive, but I just can't put my finger on why he doesn't look the slightest bit upset that all his old friends are attacking him.

Something's wrotten in Denmark. And this smells big.

Get to the bottom of it, guys.

You're officially absolved for every bear video I've had to fast forward through on the Tivo. Thanks for reminding me why I keep watching.

Scott McCellan's could easily be branded self-serving. After all, did it tell us anything that any reasonable person didn't already know? Probally not. But to Scott's credit the American people owe him a big Thank You, for his courage to step forward and do the right thing.

Now, the big question that remains is what we the people are going to do about what George and Dick did to our country. Are we going to just let it go and move on or are we going to insist on prosecuting these men and their associates for the crimes they have committed against the USA. I hope so because if we don't we have no business ever again pushing our morals on other's because we simply have none.

Anderson,

I watched the interview online and I have to say that I admire the way you keep pressing on and when the McClellan tried to give a vague answer you kept pressing on and you kept him honest. I haven't read the book but it seems that if all of it is true, being caught up in the "bubble" is not a valid reason to stay in with the administration. As you said, he's a public servant and he should have put the interests of the American people first. As many politicians, he didn't do that, it seems that it's just a little bit too late for him to start reflecting on the mistakes and a little bit too late for him to start speaking out. Anyways, great interview, you kept him honest, keep up the great work.

Anderson, watched your interview Friday night somewhat cynically. Seems to have become standard practice now for people to blame the circumstances, the environment, the bubble (?)... But on the other hand if we all know that the emperor is naked why the surprise when someone mentions it.

However, I think that McClellan maybe exhibiting something that all of us are suffering from now – the world is becoming so complex and when we don't have deep expertise on something you tend to trust that those who do. I know it was his job to have peripheral vision, but he was surrounded by credible people (?). Heard a comment recently that deep analytical thinking is becoming the most required survival skill modern man – can't agree more. Mr McClennan could perhaps have had use for it.

He did make me think of the old 80s song, You’re the voice when John Farnam sings We can write what we want to write, we’ve got to make ends meet before we get much older.