op-ed
Christian Grantham was a student activist in the late 90s and later was a consultant to domestic policy forums for the Clinton Administration as well as events for HRC and GLAAD.
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October 20, 2004

White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan has a tough job of late putting the best spin possible on President Bush's version of reality. Read McClellan tell the media today that there isn't a flu vaccine shortage at all. Then watch him dodge questions on whether Congress should take their vaccines.

QUESTION: Do we have enough vaccine?

MR. McCLELLAN: Yes, Secretary Thompson actually talked about that. He believes -- Secretary Thompson believes that we do. We're working to get additional vaccines, as well; in discussions with others to get additional vaccines. But we already have, I think it's 35 million vaccines that are available. I think there are more than 10 to 14, 15 million, I think, on the way. And he does believe there are enough there for those who are in that most vulnerable population.

QUESTION: Does the White House think members of Congress should get the flu vaccine, yes or no?

MR. McCLELLAN: I think I just stated the President's view --

QUESTION: Not on that question --

MR. McCLELLAN: -- that those who fall in the categories as defined by the CDC guidelines are the ones who ought to be getting the vaccines, and others who do not, should not be getting the vaccine.

QUESTION: So are you saying that the White House believes that healthy members of Congress should not get the flu vaccine? Can we report that?

MR. McCLELLAN: I stated our view. I think it's more broadly than that. I'm talking broadly about the entire population in America, in the President's view. And that's why he -- he stated that the other day.

QUESTION: So you won't respond to whether they should get it or not?

MR. McCLELLAN: I'm talking about the entire population in America, that the vaccines ought to go to those that are -- that are defined in the CDC guidelines.

QUESTION: Should members of Congress live by the CDC guidelines?

MR. McCLELLAN: We think everybody should follow the CDC guidelines. And if you -- if you meet those guidelines, everybody -- that's everybody, Ron.

QUESTION: Why won't you say it includes Congress?

MR. McCLELLAN: I said, everybody, and so I did answer your question.

QUESTION: So we can -- we can write that --

MR. McCLELLAN: You can ask the question a million times. I said, everybody.

QUESTION: Can we report that the President wants members of Congress who are healthy not to have the flu vaccine?

MR. McCLELLAN: The President believes that those who the CDC defines as the most vulnerable ought to be the ones who get the vaccines, and those who don't fall in that criteria should not get the vaccines.
[White House Press Briefing - 10-20-04]