House members call on WH press secretary for more answers on 'Gannon'

[sabra]

<<SNIP>>

http://rawstory.com/exclusives/byrne/slaughter_conyers_gannon_response_425.htm

THE WHITE HOUSE
House members call on White House press secretary for more answers on 'Gannon'
By John Byrne | RAW STORY Editor

Rep. Louise M. Slaughter (D-NY) and Rep. John Conyers (D-MI issued a letter Monday afternoon to White House press secretary Scott McClellan calling for more answers to their continuing investigation into how discredited conservative reporter "Jeff Gannon" got access to the President, RAW STORY has learned.
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The letter was written after a review of documents released to Rep. Slaughter and Conyers by the Secret Service, first published on RAW STORY. The records showed that "Gannon," who previously or was currently working as a male escort, was given access on more than 200 occasions to the White House.

According to the members' review, Gannon logged 196 entries; RAW STORY's review found Gannon sometimes entered on more than one day and on fourteen occasions failed to check out.*


The letter to McClellan follows.

###

LETTER TO SCOTT McCLELLAN:

April 25, 2005

Scott McClellan
Assistant to the President and Press Secretary
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500

Dear Mr. McClellan,

We write to ask you to identify who in your office, or in the White House generally, gave Mr. James Guckert a.k.a. "Jeff Gannon" virtually unfettered access to the White House. In reviewing the response to our Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to the Department of Homeland Security several of our specific concerns were validated. While your office and the White House have claimed Gannon was treated as just another reporter, the records we have obtained affirm that Gannon was granted access to the White House which appears to be unusual for any reporter. Out of concern for not only security, but also avoiding White House dissemination of propaganda, we request an explanation to the following:

1. The Department of Homeland Security's records indicate that Mr. "Gannon" entered the White House Complex 196 times in the past two years. He attended 155 of the 196 press conferences held at the White House in the two year period. This is disconcerting considering that your office and "Mr. Gannon" have maintained that his access was sporadic. At what point is a "hard pass" required?

2. The records show that Mr. "Gannon" was allowed access to the White House 38 times when no public press events occurred. He also spent hours in the White House both before and after press events took place. With whom did he meet on those occasions and what was the subject matter of those meetings?

3. On 13 occasions there is a record where he checked in with security, but is never registered as leaving the White House complex. How do you explain this?

4. Your Media Assistant, Lois Cassano, requested a total of 48 day passes for Mr. "Gannon" which helped facilitate his access for nearly 200 times over the last two years. It is nearly impossible that she would have made Gannon such a priority without direction from a supervisor. Would you like to revise your claim that, "I don't involve myself in that process, it's handled at a staff level."<1>

These records appear to confirm our concern that Gannon was treated in a manner that deviated from standard White House procedure for determining who receives press credentials, and to what degree members of the press and public are granted access to the White House complex. In fact, these entry and exit records only raise more questions, as your office has issued conflicting statements about his activities and apparently abused the press pass policy to avoid a full-fledged background investigation and allow Republican propaganda to be disseminated through a counterfeit media operation and a fake reporter.

Mr. McClellan, we have yet to receive any direct communication from your office in response to our repeated requests for information. The American people deserve to know what is happening in the White House Briefing room. It is unacceptable that you continue to deny them this information.

Sincerely,

/s

Rep. Louise Slaughter
Ranking Member
House Rules Committee

Rep. John Conyers, Jr.
Ranking Member
House Judiciary Committee

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Mods I hope it was ok to include the full letter?

[Dr Fate]

1. NICE! Now DEMs need to put down the quill & ink and get on TV.

This story will pick up steam only if DEMs are willing to talk about it.

"The sex" needs to come up- it is the only way to keep the story going- but used sparingly.

I think it should mostly be framed in the context of media propaganda- he should be compared with the other paid pundits.

[Fridays Child]

6. I'm not sure I agree, Dr Fate.

The paid pundit scandal hardly caused a ripple among average Americans. But, give them a good old-fashioned lurid sex story to sink their teeth into and the "bread and circuses" junkies that populate this country will beg for more. It's been proven over and over again.

Besides, the legitimacy of the sex issue lies in the right wing's own argument that such behavior creates a national security risk. If Monica Lewinsky could make President Clinton vulnerable to blackmail, what might it mean, if we were to learn that Guckert was in and out of the White House as somebody's guest--not just as a reporter.

FWIW, I don't buy the Gosch connection but I also won't rule out that Guckert is involved in some kind of organized system of satisfying the sexual peccadilloes of the DC rich and powerful. And, if true, I feel certain that Eberle and other GOPUSA associates are involved.

[Dr Fate]

9. So long as they make it happen...

...I agree that "the sex" is ultimately what will keep the story going...

[caledesi]

39. Agree. Once the word SEX is mentioned, people listen and watch.

Then of course, we do the "bait and switch" and switch to the real issues here.

[ebayfool]

8. This is key, as well - to 'framed in the context of media propaganda.'

"... and apparently abused the press pass policy to avoid a full-fledged background investigation and allow Republican propaganda to be disseminated through a counterfeit media operation and a fake reporter."
---------
Looks like that's where they are going w/it. Good stuff!

[Judi Lynn]

2. Hope they get some respectable answers on this.

Also, I hope they don't give up, because it looks like the _Bush White House would do anything to avoid responding.

As a side note, I went to Rep. Slaughter's website, to look at her photo, as I couldn't place her. You'll have to see her site. It's just GREAT. I haven't seen everyone's but this one looks really, really special:

http://www.slaughter.house.gov/HoR/Louise

[0007]

32. It is a first class site by a first class lady.

I don't think we'll be getting any straight answers from the WH on Gannon, let along respectable answers. The sex angle may be just a smoke screen to divert attention. The whole thing smells badly!

[tridim]

3. Will McClellan ignore this?

This thing might be about ready to break big.

[ngGale]

4. The question I would like to see answered...

3. On 13 occasions there is a record where he checked in with security, but is never registered as leaving the White House complex. How do you explain this?

[bettyellen]

33. in sweeden they call it a "dirty stayout"......

so says my neighbor bjorn. :shrug:

[rocktivity]

47. On Keith Olbermann last night, Dana Milbank said

that he probably "waved his card" at some machine "that didn't beep." He also mumbled something about the day press passes being "collected" each day.

Well, WERE the passes "beeped" or WERE they collected? Am I to believe that the Secret Service doesn't have a human being checking people in and out of the White House? And if there's a "missing" press pass, wouldn't the SS keep a record of it? Disappointingly, Keith not only vigorusly agreed with Milbank, but displayed his own ID card.
:headbang:
rocknation

[lovuian]

5. Oh this is getting good!!! I smell scandal in the air!!!

so Interesting!!!

[The_Casual_Observer]

7. Sure sounds like security is nill around the White House doesn't it?

Sounds like it would be easy to simply duck into a closet & hang out till everybody went home, they don't seem to even care if you ever leave the fucking place. What kind of a shitty deal is all that anyway? For Christ sakes, a gay prostitute is handed the god damn keys and given an open invitation? What the hell kind of government do we have over there anyway???

[Dr Fate]

10. Bush is turning the White House into a San Francisco bath-house.

:)

[MontageOfFreedom]

11. Doesn't this threaten homeland security?

It could become a talking point, that the overly religious valued right believes in security but is not above letting gay male escorts run amuck in it.

[Lorien]

12. To really get this into the mainstream

we're all going to have to write our letters to the editor this week. Don't let it fade away again!

[brettdale]

14. Ive written away

Ive written!

[leftchick]

21. I have been e-mailing Keith olberman with this

This scandal is ripe for the picking and I would Love to see Keith wih it first! Here is his e-mail... [email protected]

[burn the bush]

13. Whats the point in all the security at the inaug. and when shrub travels

if someone can get right into the white house unfettered?

[FLSurfer]

24. That is what strikes me as odd

also. The administration goes to the point of removing trees and powerlines to clear the way for snipers when * is giving a speech,
yet allows such sloppy record keeping at the White House?

Doesn't seem right.

[caledesi]

40. Or how about the Asian man w/ the suitcase outside the WH?

He said he wanted to "talk" w/ the pResident. They blew his suitcase and literally dragged him away.

Meanwhile, we have a person w/ NO journalism credentials, lying about his military background, former male prostitute prancing (no pun intended) around the WH w/ NO security and on days where they were no press briefings.

Yeah, this sounds normal.

[tuvor]

15. If Americans don't care, it won't matter.

I try to be optimistic, but none of this will mean anything unless enough Americans care. Before they can care, though, they have to know about it.

But no one in the mainstream media is telling them.

[vajraroshana]

16. I guess I'm too pessimistic

I don't think they're going to care at all.

I've been watching this story and the kind of excitement that some have thinking this is going to be "THE" story that finally gets people to understand this bullshit administration. But I don't see it happening over this.

[w4rma]

31. They definitely care. But don't mix up whether big media coverage and the

interestes of regular people.

[Shakespeare]

37. We have no "elves" to help us get the word out.

And THAT is the difference between this and Monica. There was a nasty-ass group of reporters and pundits (Isikoff, Drudge, Coulter, etc.) who banged the drums loudly on Monica, and turned it into a front-page scandal. Until we get something similar going, no one's going to know, and no one's going to care.

[caledesi]

41. Keith O is reporting tonite. nt

[earth mom]

17. My fingers are crossed that this will wake America up....

and justice not to mention karma will eventually prevail.

But honestly...part of me feels like nothing will get these bastards! They are truly the teflon dons, are they not?!

[riverwalker]

18. which chickenhawk getting goosed?

A gay prostitute poses naked and urinating as a fake marine using dog tags and military persona as a sexual fetish during a time of war when real marines are dying in their dog tags.
The same fake marine/real hooker Gomer Pyle is galavanting around the White House boogering someone in the Oval office or the closet next to it.
And there is no story here?

[NYC]

22. Like the Profumo scandal.

Sleeping with the same prostitute can spread pillow talk.

[seventythree]

35. hey, loddy loddy loddy

hey loddy loddy low -- there once was a gal named Christine Keeler --hey loddy loddy low -- and by her bed she had a meter -- hey loddy loddy loddy la.... Used to sing it in high school. Let's see:

Hey loddy loddy loddy -- hey loddy loddy low -- there once was guy named guckert/gannon -- hey loddy loddy low -- in the white house, he fired his cannon -- hey loddy loddy la a writer of no fame, that was he -- hey loddy loddy low -- on other guys, he liked to pee -- hey loddy loddy......

[dmr]

29. That describes a pathetic White House, riverwalk

A gay prostitute poses naked and urinating as a fake marine using dog tags and military persona as a sexual fetish during a time of war when real marines are dying in their dog tags.

The same fake marine/real hooker Gomer Pyle is galavanting around the White House boogering someone in the Oval office or the closet next to it.

And to think the self-righteous, bigoted, homophobic GOP persecuted President Clinton over a hetersexual blow job. Fearing it all as a security risk during a prosperous peace time. The horrors.

In the meantime, the self-righteous, bigoted, homophobic Right are still in the persecution mode; ignoring the pathetic White House, as described above by riverwalk.

Their concerns are not what is the best for our nation, but only for their own greedy, bigoted, homophobic self-interest. They'll say and do whatever they wish, but hubris has a way of paying back. I'm hoping this information is the beginning.

[deacon]

19. 3rd grade street smarts will tell you he was screwing someone in the

white house, the question is who?

I mean, this guy floated, breeze in and out almost at will so--it's reallyyyyyyy hard to believe he wasn't screwing someone in that white house.

[Skittles]

23. Rove

he was boo-fooing Rove

[me b zola]

20. oh, it's gonna be a long, hot summer.

:smoke:

[Tesla]

25. Someone please get on TV and ask these questions!!!

Isn't there a Dem out there willing to talk about this?

Has everyone had Jeffy now, so no one wants to talk?

Was there a casket involved in all this?

Why is the INTERNET the only means for this to get out?

Heck, someone write Rush, he's trying to break into the Presidency, maybe he will be the "big mouth". (like always)


Is there a photo?
Security camera? Some surveillance in the WH?

[me b zola]

38. I believe that it will get air time, but it will be slow

due to the Bolton nomination & the repubs intent on blowing themselves up in the Senate. Also, Congressmen Conyers & Slaughter have been careful to frame in legal terms instead of scandal(of course the scandal end of it will ALWAYS be just beneath the surface).
It really sounds as though as they gather evidence they continue to follow it's path; they want BIG results. I don't think that the question of 'was jimmyjeff "reporting" from the WH' has been lost on them but they don't want to speculate without facts to back them up.

Air time has begun with AAR, will probably move to KO next, and as more facts are revealed it will break more widely, but this story is competing with other Constitutional issues. The veil is being pulled back and little by little this corrupt administration is being exposed.

BTW, love your chimp spanking!!

[bushisanidiot]

26. We need an INDEPENDANT counsel to get to the bottom of this..

First thing they should check is AWOL Bush's bedsheets for traces of Gannon's semen..

Karma's a bitch!!

[wallwriter]

27. Male prostitute Jeff Gannon

The last two words should never be said without the first two.

[Enraged_Ape]

28. Time to subpoena the cum-stained dogtags...

in the Oval Office desk drawer.

[Mist]

30. Read the letter on different threads - I always enjoy the line

"Would you like to revise your claim...?" FWIW, the sex angle should probably take a back seat to the propaganda issue and the Plame connection.

[frictionlessO]

34. Wow that letter is pretty hard core for political speak!! Right ON!!!

The gloves are coming off I think. They must feel like we've got them fairly well cornered now to be so...well, blunt and call Scotty out in that manner.

I am always proud of Conyers, but Slaughter is my Rep. she earns extra love from the fricO.:applause: :woohoo: :patriot: :loveya:

[seventythree]

36. strange happenings

I just posted a reply and got a message that my cookies are corrupted or something, and the board wouldn't take my reply -- this happened after having gone to the link in the OP and throwing an error report -- since this sort of thing is new to me, I found it bizarre --

[MontageOfFreedom]

43. Happened with me more than three times.

I don't think its new, it doesn't seem that way from my view.

[seventythree]

50. thanks

guess it was just a kink

[ailsagirl]

42. I'm pleased to see the Gannon story isn't going away!! n/t

[yurbud]

44. If Bush is involved, how far will they let this get?

This isn't just get them out of the White House stuff.

If the Gosch angle turns out to be true, a lot of them would either go to prison or be pariahs for the rest of their lives.

Knowing the Bush capacity for selfish behavior, what's going to happen when this gets close to breaking?

Mike Ruppert said way before the election that the elite have lost confidence in Bush and he would either lose the election or be sunk shortly after. Maybe this is the torpedo.

[Festivito]

45. Prostitute enters WH early, leaves late, doesn't sign-in/out at all?

(Let people figure out the gay aspect on their own.)

Is he a writer without grammar skills?
A Journalist without background?

Do they know him well enough to give him first-strike war information?

Does this religious administration know him too well?

Focks News will keep you up to date on this breaking controversy.

[yurbud]

46. If it was anyone below the great Buzi himself, why meet at White House?

Anyone else except maybe Cheney could meet Gannon at home or elsewhere and wouldn't get caught because nobody would be looking and the press wouldn't pick up on the story as they haven't with the closet cases in the GOP structure.

Who NEEDS to meet Gannon at the White House?

Also, given the Dauphin's allegiance to the religious right, which of his flunkies would risk his job by entertaining a gay prostitute in the White House instead of elsewhere. One visit to impress your date is one thing, but hundreds? Bush demands such loyalty that his guys would cut off their left nut to keep their job. Why would they do anything so potentially damaging to him?

The one person who isn't careful in that crew is the pampered prince himself. He makes the messes and others clean them up, even if it means coming into lefty discussion boards and pretending to be gays outraged that someone is discussing Bush's hypocrisy.

[Festivito]

48. Does gay marriage dampen one-night-stand anonymous sex?

Has the WH been reduced to having sex with people they already know?

Could it be a vast lib'rul wing conspiracy?

[yurbud]

49. the liberal conspiracy: make sex boring for EVERYONE

Gay marriage will have the same effect on gay promiscuity that straight marriage does--it confuses some people into monogamy for a while.