PRESS BRIEFING: Dana Petrino, March 5, 2008

That's right: Tom's latest Esquire article has started speculation about the future of Fox Fallon. here's the exchange:

Q Dana, there -- I know you haven't read this, but if you'll trust me to quote from -- there is an article in Esquire Magazine about Admiral William Fallon. It says this: "Because of Fallon's caution on Iran, Fallon may soon be unemployed because he is doing what a generation of young officers in the U.S. military are now openly complaining that their leadership didn't do on their behalf in the run-up to the war in Iraq. He's standing up to the Commander-in-Chief, who he thinks is contemplating a strategically unsound war." Is that an accurate portrayal of the relationship?

MS. PERINO: You're right, before I came here I told you I haven't seen the article. I don't know who wrote it. I've never heard anything of that sort, except for in rumor mills that don't turn out to be true. So I'll check it out, but I don't think there's anything to it.

Q Do they have opposing views on Iran?

MS. PERINO: I don't know. Well, I mean, the President --

Q Fallon is also quoted as saying that he's been in hot water with the White House because -- even meeting with Mubarak.

MS. PERINO: President Bush's position on Iran is very clear. That doesn't mean that other people can't have other thoughts or positions, but I'm not going to characterize Admiral Fallon. And let me take a look at the article and then we'll try to get back to you.