Mikaela asks:
How long can the reframing continue without consequences? Return to Bush's statements in 2003 below and read them in light of the newly released information that Bush in fact authorized Libby to leak.
Read the careful legalese in some of the statements "IF someone in my administration leaked"... So it comes down to a question of whether the President himself can be considered "a part" of his own administration? Hmmm... Didn't the Republicans scorn former Pres. Clinton's semantic squirming? Interesting that the playbook is the same for both sides, but the rules seem to be different for each.
"IF someone committed a crime"... Knowing full well that Bush believes he can declassify what he wants, when he wants, for whatever reason. So why the cover-up? Why let this thing run for years? Why didn't Bush way back when say, yep, I told Libby to declassify so that we could make the case for war?
This thing is big and ugly. I fear another disappearing act, but I would hope that the President's evaporating credibility would not extend him cover yet again.
Bush April 10, 2006 (Courtesy Baltimore Sun):
"After we liberated Iraq, there was questions in people's minds, you know, about the basis on which I made statements -- in other words, going into Iraq. And so I decided to declassify the [report] for a reason. I wanted people to see what some of those statements were based on."
McClellan April 7, 2006 (Courtesy Voice of America)
The White House is not disputing the allegations, but spokesman Scott McClellan told reporters Friday, President Bush was justified in releasing the information.
"It was in the public interest that this information be provided, because there was debate going in the public about the use of intelligence leading up to the decision to go into Iraq."
President Bush has long been highly critical of those who leak government secrets. "If there is a leak out of my administration, I want to know who it is. And if the person has violated law, the person will be taken care of."
Bush July 2005 (Courtesy CNN)
"I would like this to end as quickly as possible so we know the facts. And if someone committed a crime, they will no longer work in my administration."
That appeared to differ from a response Bush gave in June 2004, when he was asked whether he stood by his promise to fire whoever was found to have leaked Plame's name. "Yes," Bush said at the time.
Bush Oct. 7, 2003 (Courtesy rushlimbaughonline.com)
Q: Yesterday we were told that Karl Rove had no role in it --
THE PRESIDENT: Yes.
Q: -- have you talked to Karl and do you have confidence in him --
THE PRESIDENT: Listen, I know of nobody -- I don't know of anybody in my administration who leaked classified information. If somebody did leak classified information, I'd like to know it, and we'll take the appropriate action. And this investigation is a good thing.
Scott Mclellan Oct. 6, 2003 (Courtesy rushlimbaughonline.com)
Q: But can you confirm that the President would fire anyone on his staff found to have leaked classified information?
McClellan: I think I made that very clear last week. The topic came up, and I said that if anyone in this administration was responsible for the leaking of classified information, they would no longer work in this administration.
Scott McClellan October 7, 2003 (Courtesy rushlimbaugh.com)
If someone leaked classified information, the President wants to know. If someone in this administration leaked classified information, they will no longer be a part of this administration, because that's not the way this White House operates, that's not the way this President expects people in his administration to conduct their business.
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