Bye, Scott

Friday, Scott McClellan held his last official press briefing at the White House. When he entered the room, the press pool greeted him with applause.
Transcript

McClellan began the briefing with a genuine smile.

MR. McCLELLAN: (Applause.) Big turnout today. Something going on?

Let me start with a preview of the President's remarks tomorrow at Oklahoma State University. And then I will be glad to go to your questions. (Laughter.)

I hear a little chuckle out there. (Laughter.) This is it for you, pal. (Laughter.)

During the briefing, sprinkled in with their questions, some of the reporters offered McClellan their good wishes, which he graciously accepted.

He ended his briefing with thank-yous and praise for the President and Mrs. Bush, the Cabinet, the White House Staff, his wife, and finally, the White House press corps.

MR. McCLELLAN: Let me take a couple of minutes just to say a few quick thank-yous. I've already thanked the President, and I want to say that I'm also forever grateful to the President and Mrs. Bush for making this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity really special. My wife and I value our friendship with the President and Mrs. Bush.

I also want to thank the entire White House staff, because you cannot do this job without the support and help of all those that are part of this team. My job is to help provide you information so that you can do your job, and to help the President advance his agenda. And I depend on people throughout this White House for timely responses.

I thank my colleagues on the senior staff. It has been a real privilege to be a part of a senior staff that is such a fine group of people. I want to thank the White House Military Office. They help make the White House function. And the White House Communications Office in particular, I think that that is a group that if they need to get a message to you, they can find you about anywhere in the world. The Situation Room staff, they're the ones who track events around the world 24-7, and they do a great job of keeping us informed.

The traveling team, the Air Force One crew, the Travel Office, the Advance teams, particularly the younger folks on the Advance team, because when we travel, they help all of our lives go a little bit smoother. And I'm grateful for all the help that they have provided when I don't always get the chance to say it.

The President's military aides who are always with him. They represent the best of our military and I'm proud to call them friends -- all those, those that are currently serving and those that served before them.

The communications team at the White House. This is a terrific team, and we work very closely together. And I'm grateful for their friendship, as well.

Most importantly, I need to thank the Press Office staff. I know you all appreciate all that they do to help you, and I'm forever indebted to them for all that they've done to help me. My assistant Tina, the staff assistants -- Nathan, Amanda, John, Carlton, Lois, assistant press secretaries, Josh Deckard, Erin Healy. Thank you.

Most importantly, I think, in terms of the Press Office staff, that I just want to do a special thank-you to my deputies -- Dana and Fred and Ken. You all have been a terrific help to me, and I depend on you a lot. But I also want to thank those who preceded you that I worked with -- Trent, who beat me to the punch a little bit. Sean and Claire, I really started this with Sean and Claire. And I've got a lasting friendship with them, and I look forward to continuing to stay in touch with them.

And I thank the President's Cabinet, as well. It's been a privilege to work with them and all those throughout the administration, particularly the communicators.

And the biggest personal thank-you, I think, goes to my wife, Jill, because she has made a lot of sacrifice in order for me to serve the American people and serve this President and work with you all. And I cannot thank her enough for all that she's been through. And I look forward to beginning the new chapter in our life together.

Finally, I want to thank each of you in this room and each of you in the White House press corps that aren't here today. Thank you for all you do to keep the American people informed. Thank you for all you do to hold those of us in elected office accountable for the decisions that are made. Keep after it. Keep up the good work. You are a terrific bunch of professionals, and it has been a real honor to serve with you all. Thank you. (Applause.)

McClellan ended his final press briefing from the White House just as I expected -- with class.