Ducking the question

* blinky didnt know that Drownie Brownie had quit and he was asked about it - he replied to the question saying ""Maybe you know something I don't know, but as you know, we've been working" - it made him look stupid(er). fox's carl cameron just said "the president dodged the question - cos he didnt know if it had been made public or not" - its amazing how much spinning they can do.

update: heres the transcript:

Q Can you tell us, have you accepted the resignation of Michael Brown, or have you heard about it?

THE PRESIDENT: I haven't -- no, I have not talked to Michael Brown -- or Mike Chertoff; that's who I'd talk to. As you know, I've been working. And when I get on Air Force One, I will call back to Washington. But I've been on the move.

Q Our understanding is he has resigned, he's made a statement. Would that be appropriate --

THE PRESIDENT: I haven't talked to Mike Chertoff yet, and that's what I intend to do when I get on the plane. You know, I -- you probably -- maybe you know something I don't know, but as you know, we've been working, and I haven't had a chance to get on the phone.

update: apparently "ducking the question" has become the official spin (link):

"USA Today says he was just "ducking the question." Given the events of the last two weeks, I really don't know.

If we trust Bush is telling the truth, does that mean he really didn't have a chance to get on the phone? No one has a cell phone? Did it actually happen right when he was on camera for that photo-op?

If he's "ducking," what purpose does that serve? To wait until he gets the script? He qualifies it by specifically naming Chertoff and Brown, so was he just waiting for the formal notice?

Or are they really that incomprehensibly incompetent?"

update: the aforementioned USA Today article seems to have magically morphed and dropped the "ducking the question" quote. amazing. they carry the water until they are called out. thats hysterically funny, if true.