Why does the WH need a spokesman when it never has anything to say?

The passivity wasn’t the fault of the new spokesman. He merely had the uncomfortable task of articulating a coherent policy in the absence of one. The problem was most glaring on the Libyan uprising, which the president has handled with the detachment of a powerless observer…

Carney offered a few bromides about “the universal rights of the citizens” and such.

Tapper pointed out that these are principles, not policies. “Is it fair to call this policy, as it’s formulated, ad hoc or ad libbed?” Tapper inquired.

The press secretary did not think this would be fair — but he had difficulty convincing the press corps.