Helen Thomas: Bush Knows Who To Ask About CIA Leak

[maddezmom]

President Says He Wants 'All The Facts'
Helen Thomas, Hearst White House columnist

POSTED: 4:25 pm EDT July 20, 2005

Although he's the nation's chief executive, President George W. Bush apparently is going to have to wait for special prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald to tell him about the involvement of key White House aides in the CIA-leak affair.

Bush­ told reporters earlier this week that he doesn't "know all the facts" but that he wants to.

Of course, he could invite Karl Rove to an Oval Office meeting where the president could say, "Karl, what happened?" Or he could ask I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, Vice President Dick Cheney's chief of staff, to come clean.

~snip~

"I want to know all the facts," he said. "I would like this to end as quickly as possible. If someone committed a crime, they will no longer work in my administration."

Embedded in that expression of earnest righteousness was a subtle redefinition of what is a firing offense in this White House. Bush had indicated previously that anyone involved in leaking information about the identity of the undercover CIA officer would be terminated.

more: http://www.thelouisvillechannel.com/helenthomas/4748729/detail.html

I love this woman. :D

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. Right on, Helen.

Bush is slinging crap, as usual. Even if he doesn't know (which I don't believe, not for a second), if he wanted to find out who leaked, all he has to do is call the whole damn staff into the Evil Office and demand they 'fess up, right now. He's the freaking President, for chrissake! For him to say he doesn't know and can't find out until the investigation is over is such reeking bullshit.

[Just Me]

2. She sure knows how to anchor the story behind this scandal.

I love her, too!!! :loveya: She is simply awesome.

[jimshoes]

3. I'll bet if someone took a shit in his shoe

he wouldn't have to wait for a special prosecutor to tell him who did it! He'd be grabbing people by the scruff of the neck and asking them point blank.

[mom cat]

4. and this too:

After it was revealed that Rove and Libby were involved, Bush changed the rule for unacceptable conduct. The new rule is that anyone who "committed a crime" would get pink-slipped.

There's still potential for additional wiggle room, if Bush needs it in the future. For example, if someone were convicted of a crime but appealed the verdict, the president could say: "If someone is convicted of a crime and the conviction is affirmed on appeal, they will no longer work in my administration."

If the conviction were affirmed on appeal, the convicted defendant then could appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. Ah, the possibilities are rich.

The 1982 federal law barring the exposure of the identity of any CIA official working under official secrecy has some twists and turns that make it difficult to imagine Rove or Libby actually being prosecuted. But when Fitzgerald and a federal grand jury keep calling them in for more testimony or further interviews, it makes me think that questions of perjury or obstruction of justice are being explored.
(same link as above)

[B Calm]

5. All Bush is doing is proving that he is in on it too.

[Just Me]

7. That's true.

:bounce:

Come to think of it, his words and actions speak "co-conspirator in a cover-up" right there for all to see.

[samsingh]

6. could bush be the source of the leak?

[WinkyDink]

8. Yes, he could.

Bush is Vindictiveness Personified.

[Just Me]

9. I just have to *kick* for this fabulous lady!!!

She is the best!!!

[bemildred]

10. So much for avoiding the "appearance of impropriety". nt