Paul Kiel December 19, 2007, 11:48 AM

TPMm Reader AF doesn’t think much of the White House’s response to this morning’s New York Times story:

The White House pushback is focused exclusively on 1) the President, 2) Dana Perino and 3) Tony Fratto. However, “administration officials” and “senior administration officials” have certainly commented on the story. To wit:

From CNN, 12/8/07:

“Later Friday, two senior administration officials told CNN that then-deputy White House counsel Harriet Miers was aware of the tapes and told the CIA not to destroy them.”

From the Washington Post, 12/11/07:

” Administration officials have said that Justice Department and White House lawyers, including longtime Bush aide Harriet E. Miers, had recommended against destroying the tapes.”

Seems to me that the White House wants to have it both ways. They officially decline to comment while on background administration officials offer exculpatory details. This is reminiscent of their position on the Plame scandal. At the outset there were blanket denials of responsibility followed up by repeated “no comments.” It also highlights this administration’s penchant for selective leaking.

CIA Tapes