Being the White House Press Secretary is simple. You give briefings to the media about what’s going on, answer a few questions, and that’s that.
Jay Carney, the current White House Press Secretary, has been known more for his battles with reporters and his questionable answers than anything.
Which is why it’s troubling to hear that, in 444 press conferences, Carney has said “I don’t have the answer 1,905 times”, an amount that would get you fired in any other job.
Other fascinating question dodges:
• I would refer you to someone else (1383 times)
• You already know the answer (1125 times)
• I’m not going to tell you (939 times)
• Not that I know of (927 times)
• I don’t want to (588 times)
• I’m not sure (549 times)
• I won’t speculate (525 times)
• No comment (429 times)
• I’ll get back to you (387 times)
• It’s a good question (381 times)
• See yesterday’s non-response (231 times)
• The President won’t tell me (117 times)
My favorite by far is “The President won’t tell me”—which he’s had to say 117 times. Someone’s certainly not in the loop. And of course there’s the fun “I’m not going to tell you”, said 939 times, which shows that really, his job is pointless.
The point of press briefings is for the White House to straighten out the record and answer questions. But these stats show that Obama’s press secretary Jay Carney does everything but.
