Reply #6: Yes, he knew, and he "discussed an ongoing investigation"... [View All]

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

Press Briefing by Scott McClellan

October 17, 2005

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/10/20051017-4.html

Q Is Karl Rove here at the White House working today? And if indictments were to come down in the special prosecutor's case, is there a contingency plan to replace someone such as Mr. Rove or Mr. Libby, who hold enormous positions within this administration?

MR. McCLELLAN: Karl is here at the White House doing his duties, as he always does. And in terms of your question about any contingency planning, I'm not going to get into prejudging any outcome of the investigation. The investigation is ongoing at this time, and that would be speculating about outcomes of the investigation. I'm just not going to do that. As you heard, the President responded to that question earlier today, as well.

Q In the cutaway shots from the Oval Office event, since I was not pool today, I did not see Mr. Rove. But in previous events such as that, he's typically in that kind of a meeting.

MR. McCLELLAN: No, he does not typically attend meetings with world leaders.

Q If the status changes -- if either Rove or Libby were to get a target letter, would you inform us?

MR. McCLELLAN: Terry, those are questions that need to be directed to the special prosecutor or others, not the White House.

Q No, I'm just saying, if either of those gentlemen receive a target --

Q Well, they work here --

MR. McCLELLAN: I'm sorry, who is saying what? Ed, I think that you've heard us talk about this. There's an ongoing investigation. And we're not going to comment on that investigation while it's ongoing. The special prosecutor's office has asked us to not get into discussing the case while it's ongoing. And that's why the best way to help this case move forward is to refer questions like that to the special prosecutor.

Now there are individuals that have lawyers that represent them, as well, and you can reach out to those individuals, too. But it's not -- we wouldn't necessarily know here at the White House what letters or information goes out from the special prosecutor.

Q But you wouldn't make a commitment, though, if you found out, to disclose it here to the press?

MR. McCLELLAN: I will do my part to help the investigation proceed forward. And doing our part means not commenting on it here from this podium.

Q So that's a "no," is that correct?

MR. McCLELLAN: Well, you can talk to the special prosecutor.