Pentagon Gaggle

By Wendy Wang
Pentagon press corps was told this morning that there is no press briefing on the new Defense Secretary’s schedule as of yet, even after announcements that Generals John Abizaid and George Casey will be stepping down from their posts commanding the war.

Press was told that the change in command is no reflection on either general’s performance, as both have been in their posts longer than their tour of duty requires.

Secretary Robert Gates, we are told, will not likely hold a briefing before the president’s impending address to the American public on his new strategies in Iraq. The press, expressing frustration on the lack of operational briefings and lack of information being released to the press, suggested perhaps it would be helpful to have some sort of guideline prior to the president’s announcement, and may correct "misinformation" the Pentagon press office often feels are being reported in the news.

Pentagon press pointed out to Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman that there needs to be a major PR overhaul as the president’s approval ratings continues to tank. Perhaps being more forthcoming and conducting regular briefings would increase confidence in the way the two wars are being conducted. Whitman responded by pointing out that polls show low approval ratings of how the war is being reported by the media.