No, it wasn’t “sorority hipster” Marie Harf running the State Department’s press briefing today, but rather spokesperson Jen Psaki. That didn’t prevent some confusion among the press, though.
Hannah Allam, foreign affairs reporter for McClatchy Newspapers, notes that she wasn’t quite getting the answers she was looking for.
Q. There's confusion. What exactly is US strategy for dealing w/#ISIS? State: I don't know why there's confusion. Do you have a question?
— Hannah Allam (@HannahAllam) August 26, 2014
Why would there be confusion?
Q.Breach of intl law to hit #ISIS w/out regime? State: If anything happens, we'd have legal justification but not getting into hypotheticals
— Hannah Allam (@HannahAllam) August 26, 2014
State Dept: 'Our sole strategy here is not the potential for air strikes.' #Syria #ISIS
— Hannah Allam (@HannahAllam) August 26, 2014
State Dept: The reason we've been engaged as we have been in boosting moderate opposition…is bec we've been watching this closely. #ISIS
— Hannah Allam (@HannahAllam) August 26, 2014
Q.Say you're watching closely but just announced surveillance flights. Confused. What are these? State: Not getting into intel gathering
— Hannah Allam (@HannahAllam) August 26, 2014
Recommended
The magic 8 ball will give the answer. @HannahAllam @ColorMeRed
— ❌ Sue Smith (@SueSmith511) August 26, 2014
https://twitter.com/markwonderful/status/504335631850668032
https://twitter.com/NathanABurnham/status/504341955015622656
It's so cute when Jen Psaki pretends like she has a clue.
— Mav. Forensic Genius (@TheMaverick21) August 26, 2014
@statedeptspox Seems a little "tense" with all the probing questions and incredulous attitude in the room. It's about time.
— diana loesch (@dianakayloesch) August 26, 2014
Allam heard at least one “certainly” from the State Department.
Q. Is the US goal the destruction of #ISIS? State Dept: Certainly that is a long-term goal. But there are steps to take to get there.
— Hannah Allam (@HannahAllam) August 26, 2014