Live-Blogging Perino’s Final Briefing
Spotted: Deb Riechmann taking pictures of the scenery.
-Perino: “It’s hard to believe that this is my 145th and final press briefing.”
-”It’s been a privilege to take your questions.”
-”This is the most professional, experienced and fun press staff that we’ve ever had.”
-Perino shows photo montage of humorous moments…Knoller, April Ryan, Ann Compton, Reichmann, Peter Baker, Terry Moran, Scully, John King, Helen Thomas, Bill Plante.
“I have a lot of respect for the White House press corps. Don’t look so surprised. …I respect you because you are always at the top for your game. You never miss a beat. Even when on some days you felt like lying down on the job.”
-”I want to say a few words about Tony Snow. Tony was a man who loved his job. He loved President Bush. He lived life to the fullest and when Tony lost his valiant battle against cancer last summer we all lost a world champion. … Through thee turbulent years I’ve been honored to be a part of your lives. I want to thank the president and his senior staff for the confidence and the support that they’ve given me. I want to thank my husband Peter who made all of this possible.”
“And as we move on, I want you to know that America needs more reporters not fewer. So let’s hope someone figures out a business model that will keep you in your seats for a long time to come.”
“I wish my successor Robert Gibbs all the best. Please go easy on him –for a week.”
-”This is a fabulous job. It is a great opportunity to work with all of you. I will certainly miss the back and forth as I hope you will to.”
-On Gibbs: “They’ve shown that they’re a good, professional organization and he won’t have any problems. He won’t miss a beat when he gets up here.”
-On media bias: “I don’t think would always be asked about liberal bias in the media if there wasn’t bias in the media. … For everyone who is in this room…reporters who show up every morning and are here late at night and work weekends. … strive so hard to be fair. And you have to fight for us with your other bureaus and your other reporters. I think everybody in this room, on a scale from 1-10, I’d give you a nine on fairness.”
-”There’s no doubt that your industry is going through a change and a transition and a transformation and I really think that for the sake of democracy and the sake of our country, we need more of you and the good tough reporting takes a lot of money and it takes investment and it takes takes time and takes a willingness on behalf your editors to send you off on assignment and hold your elected leaders to account. I don’t think that journalism is dead but we all have a responsibility to make sure it survives.”
-Helen Thomas: “I don’t want to interrupt this swan song…” (Then asks Gaza question…)
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