Former White House spokesperson Scott McClellan has revealed the Bush administration routinely fed talking points to several top hosts at the Rupert Murdoch-owned network Fox News. McClellan was interviewed by MSNBC’s Chris Matthews.

Scott McClellan: “Certainly, there were commentators and others, pundits at Fox News, that were helpful to the White House, and then, certainly — yeah, certainly, we got talking points to those people.”

Chris Matthews: “Did you use — did people say 'Call Sean. Call Bill. Call whoever'? Did you do that as a regular thing?”

McClellan: “Certainly, certainly. It wasn’t necessarily something I was doing, but it was something that we at the White House, yes, were doing, and getting them talking points and making sure they knew where we were coming from.”

Matthews: “So you were giving them talking points” —

McClellan: “But I would separate the journalists.”

Matthews: “No, no. This is important. You were using these commentators as your spokespeople.”

McClellan: “Well, certainly. I mean, certainly, I think that happens both ways, when people go on other networks, as well, that are favorable towards the Democrats and so forth.”

Matthews: “Nobody’s ever fed me any crap like that, so I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

McClellan: “Well, you’re an independent-minded guy.”

The White House has not denied McClellan’s statement.