Anyone who saw the mini-press conference yesterday saw that Bush, while trying to stick to his talking points, got tripped up by a reporter and ended up singling out the Swift Boat Vet ads and saying he wants both “that ad, [and] every other ad” to stop.

So the reporters get it wrong and report Bush has condemned the ad and is calling on Kerry to do the same for all independent ads.

Later Press Secretary Scott McClellan made clear that nothing is clear, except for the fact that the Bush camp is no closer to singling out that ad or condemning it:

Q But does he condemn the actual charge within the ad?

MR. McCLELLAN: That’s why I said –

Q Can I assume that, then?

MR. McCLELLAN: He condemns all of these ads –

Q So I can assume he condemns the content.

MR. McCLELLAN: Deb, he condemns all of these ads –

Q — and the content?

MR. McCLELLAN: Let me answer your question. The President condemns all of these ads.

How did we get to a point in society where people can get away with this kind of evasive bullshit? The reporters should be calling for Scott’s head after pulling this kind of crap, instead they all look adoringly at that lovable bumpkin in the Oval Office, hoping against hope he’ll bless them with a nickname.

I’m of the crazy opinion that you can’t be an effective White House reporter while simultaneously sucking up to the administration for access.