Today’s gaggle was brief and contentious. Scott McClellan cut things short after a trio of reporters, led by Helen Thomas, badgered and aggressively interrupted McClellan to pepper him with questions about accusations of torture of terrorist suspects.

Before things fell apart, McClellan took a few questions. The first two regarded Terri Schiavo. When asked if President Bush supports the congressional resolutions that would stop the forced starvation of Schiavo this Friday, McClellan responded:

“The president believes in a culture of life. On complex issues like this, our society and laws ought to have a presumption of life. Especially those that lie at the mercy of others ought to have special consideration.”

A reporter tried to zing McClellan about the nomination of Ohio House member Rob Portman for U.S. Trade Representative. The reporter asked why Bush chose Portman, who had “no international experience.”

McClellan shot back, “Oh really? He is an international trade lawyer.”