Turn on those bullshit detectors

I've read a few posts today about allegations that before the Bush press conference reporters had to turn in questions to the White House for pre-approva. Which would be a horrible partisan travesty, and certainly not beyond what we'd expect from this Bush Administration, but is it true?

Well, fortunately we have Josh Marshall who asked a couple of his friends who work with the White House Press Corps, and got this response:

In the words of one of them: "It's complete ---------. As in 'I can't believe that he was quoted accurately' ---------. Occasionally, before background briefings, White House aides will canvass reporters to ask what we're interested in on that day (but "the Middle East" is plenty answer for them). But I have never, ever heard of submitting questions in writing, orally, by email, or any other way before a presidential press conference. Not under Ari, not under Scott."

So there you go. Nothing you can do about this but tip you're hat and admit that these particular allegations are false. There's plenty of real horrible things the Bush Administration does without getting caught up in the falsehoods.

[sidenote: possibly the only thing that saved me from blogging about this earlier, and thus being embarrassed when I read Marshall's post just now was that I was working on thesis. Almost done with that, by the way, thanks for asking. It's all coming along]