Last week, WH spokesperson Dana Perino claimed only a “handful” of White House staffers used RNC email accounts. This morning we learned t
April 11, 2007

Last week, WH spokesperson Dana Perino claimed only a “handful” of White House staffers used RNC email accounts. This morning we learned that 22 current WH aides — and 50 staffers altogether — have taken advantage of the RNC communications system.

At this afternoon’s briefing, reporters asked how a “handful” became a few dozen. Perino’s response was less than persuasive.

QUESTION: On March 27th, at this podium, you said that there were only a handful of White House aides who had used political RNC accounts. Now you’re saying 22; that doesn’t sound like a handful.

PERINO: Well, I didn’t know how many there were.

Perhaps not, but that’s not how a White House spokesperson is supposed to convey information to reporters and the nation. If Perino says a “handful” of White House staffers are using RNC email accounts, we’re supposed to believe that a “handful” of White House staffers are using RNC email accounts.

Today, Perino offered the rarely used I-didn’t-know-what-I-was-talking-about response. She was rather casual about it, too. “Oh that?” Perino seemed to be saying, “I was just pulling a response out of my ear. You can’t take that seriously.”

How is anyone supposed to know when Perino is saying things she means and when she’s just making up answers out of thin air?

Can you help us out?

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