Yes, we can.

[Alex]

Yes, it is refreshing to not go through this chain with controversy:

- Something is said or done.
- There is a negative response.
- Person claims that they didn't actually say or do it.
- It is shown that they really
- Person claims that even if they did say or do it obviously you misunderstood their intent or action.
- It is shown that there really isn't any other reasonable reading.
- Person claims well even if they did say or or do it, and even if it looks like that means something in particular, they didn't really mean it.
- The press and public gets bored and lets it slide into oblivion.
- Bill Schneider awards person the Political Power Play of the Week for having played politics so masterfully and having weathered the storm without actually admitting to anything.
- Lather, rinse, repeat.

Admittedly, I have no idea if this will result in anything good but it is a nice difference.

[Alex]

Originally Posted by Alex

- Something is said or done.
- There is a negative response.
- Person claims that they didn't actually say or do it.
- It is shown that they really
- Person claims that even if they did say or do it obviously you misunderstood their intent or action.
- It is shown that there really isn't any other reasonable reading.
- Person claims well even if they did say or or do it, and even if it looks like that means something in particular, they didn't really mean it.
- The press and public gets bored and lets it slide into oblivion.
- Bill Schneider awards person the Political Power Play of the Week for having played politics so masterfully and having weathered the storm without actually admitting to anything.
- Lather, rinse, repeat.

In the end I don't really think it is that big of an issue but having written this just a couple days ago, it is interesting to see the Clinton campaign essentially playing out a version of this in relation to how dangerous a visit to Bosnia was.

A couple links for those who haven't seen the story:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rj-esk...a_b_92844.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOsGo...under_fire.php

How hard is it to just say (assuming it is the truth): "Whoops, apparently over time my memory of that day has become clouded. On the flight in we were warned of possible risks and it would seem that over the years the failures of memory caused the warning to overwrite the actual event."

Instead we'll get

- Dramatic story
--Uh, isn't that a lie?
- No, it really happened
--Uh, no it didn't.
- Yes, I'm pretty sure it happened mostly the way I described it. Here, my speechwriter will agree with me.
--Well, if you have a second source we'll have to think this over.
-
--No, wait, yeah, it is still all wrong.
-Hey! Look over there! Easter Eggs!! Yay!!!!!
--Wow, you're right. We have to go do things with our kids. Can we get back to you on this sometime next week?
-Sure, anytime you want, my doors always open. If I don't answer the first time you call, don't worry, I'll eventually get back to you.