Dear Scott McClellan

February 17, 2005

Scott McClellan
Assistant to the President/Press Secretary
Office of the Press Secretary
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Northwest
Room #WH/1/WW
Washington, D.C. 20500

Dear Mr. McClellan:

In a recent column in the Washington Post, Howard Kurtz referred to "a day pass to the White House, available to any journalist, commentator or blogger who writes for an audience." He then quoted you: "I don't think it's the role of the press secretary to get into the business of being a media critic or picking and choosing who gets credentials." I’m writing to you because I thought that was the case. Would be willing, then, to direct me to whoever IS responsible for choosing who gets a pass?

I’m a Canadian citizen who frequently writes on American politics to a select and devoted blog audience. I’ve never applied for a pass before because, in a post 9/11 era, I believed that the White House would be extremely cautious in issuing passes, especially to a foreigner. Now however, I see that a James Guckert was awarded what’s called a "hard pass" months before he’d even written a single article for anyone (and using the fake name "Jeff Gannon" no less)! For someone like me -- seeking to expand my portfolio and experience -- this is a thrilling precedent. There are reporters for the New York Times who have never been granted a hard pass!

As a member of the White House press corps, I would be in an excellent position to observe and report in a "fair and balanced" way (get it?). Even as a Canadian, I will not compromise the security concerns you’ve had for anyone other than Guckert. Unlike him, I’ve never advertised myself as a male prostitute on the Internet. How did the security clearance process not uncover that, by the way? Many are saying there’s some kind of 'gay blackmail' at work here but I’m sure that this is all just a large error on the part of the White House staff. I’m sure the terrorist-weary American people will soon be told how this man got remarkable access to CIA documents.

But I’m getting off-topic, sorry. I’m writing about a press pass…perhaps I could have Guckert’s! His website says he’s "retired to private life" now that people are asking questions. You always knowingly referred to him as "Jeff" during White House briefings so, if it’s easier for you, I could simply adopt the Gannon pseudonym and just carry on in his place!

Please consider this request as seriously as Guckert’s, or feel free to pass me along to whatever department should be deciding on issuing future press passes.

Sincerely,

Scott Dagostino
www.scottdagostino.com