Dana Peroxide Says Blame Condi
Q Thank you, Dana. Whose idea was it in the White House to give the appointment succeeding Senator Thompson as chairman of the key board to Paul Wolfowitz?
MS. PERINO: Whose decision was it? Well, the President makes those decisions. Was it the — this is the board that Paul Wolfowitz is now on at the State Department?
Q That he was made chairman of, succeeding Senator Thompson.
MS. PERINO: Is it a few weeks ago? I think it was at the — I guess it was at the State Department. That’s what we were asked a while ago. But it’s a State Department appointment, not a presidential appointment.
Q Okay, just confirming.
MS. PERINO: But I don’t know who at the State Department. I would assume ultimately Secretary Rice.
Dana Disses Chimpy
Q Is the country better off —
MS. PERINO: The what?
Q Is the country better off now than seven years ago?
MS. PERINO: Certainly seven years ago — well, seven years ago, right before September 11th, I think that people would say that the country certainly felt better off.
They’re Laughing At You, Dana, Not With You
Q Is there any doubt that the President has the power to use an executive order to tell agencies to ignore something Congress has done?
MS. PERINO: No, and there is legislative language — I’m sorry, language from — let me find it; I have it somewhere — there’s a couple of rulings from the Supreme Court that said report language is not — I don’t have it with me — can you get that to them? We’ll attach it to this transcript and release this transcript.
Q Are those directly on point or tangential?
MS. PERINO: What do you mean, “directly on point or tangential”?
Q Do they really count? (Laughter.)
Q — make this up. (Laughter.)
MS. PERINO: Here it is. It says the Supreme Court says report language is not legally binding. And here are the two cases: Lincoln versus Vigil —
Q Oh, that’s a recent one. (Laughter.)
MS. PERINO: And the Cherokee nation versus Leavitt. Because I know you’re diligent enough and have all sorts of time today, you will look those up.
Q Dana, what nation — Turkey nation?
Q Cherokee.
MS. PERINO: Cherokee.
Q Oh, Cherokee nation. (Laughter.)