Did Scott McClellan lie in yesterday's press briefing?

Q Why a National Guard event now? Why having the President's picture taken with National Guard troops now?

MR. McCLELLAN: This is an event that's been in the works for several weeks. And the President -- the President recognizes his most important responsibility is to protect the American people and our troops. Both those in the Armed Forces and those in our reserve units and Guard are playing an important role in helping us confront the dangerous threats that we face, and make the world a safer and better place.

So this is an opportunity to not only thank our troops, but thank their families, and also provide them an update in the war on terrorism. They're involved in a very important cause, and the President is forever grateful for their service and sacrifice.

Q By several weeks, you mean before the Democrats raised questions about the President's service?

MR. McCLELLAN: Yes, yes.

Q It has nothing to do with that whole controversy, his visit here today?

MR. McCLELLAN: No, this has to do with the President thanking our troops for their service and sacrifice in an important cause.

But then, via Atrios, there's this:

President Bush, dogged by questions about his Vietnam-era service in the Air National Guard, surrounded himself with a sea of military olive and beige yesterday, touting his credentials as commander in chief at an Army base that has sent thousands of troops to Afghanistan and Iraq and lunching with a soon-to-be-deployed group of guardsmen.

White House officials said Bush's campaign-style stop at Fort Polk had nothing to do with the controversy over gaps in his service record with the Air National Guard between May 1972 and May 1973.

"This event has been in the works for several weeks," White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan said.

But one officer at the base said Fort Polk received orders last week to begin preparing for the president's visit.

Fascinating. The Bush administration would never time an event, or schedule one, for political gain would they?