The thing is, when he was asked about this in 2004, I believe it was, the reporter said "Will you fire the leaker?" and Bush said he would. It's kind of a trick question, though, because of the phrasing, but...it's not this cut and dried, I'm afraid.
No, Bush said yes, but that it was all up to the prosecutor.(Implying that he needs to know if law was violated)
That is the exact point.The question was presented with the presumption that a crime had been committed and the President answered appropriately.The truth is that no crime has been committed so the thrust of the question changes.
What the libs(the MSM)is saying is that,we accused your administration of criminal activity,your answer cannot change even though the accusation was wrong to start with.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/06/20040610-36.html
Subject: President Bush Holds Press Conference Following the G8 Summit
Q Given -- given recent developments in the CIA leak case, particularly Vice President Cheney's discussions with the investigators, do you still stand by what you said several months ago, a suggestion that it might be difficult to identify anybody who leaked the agent's name?
THE PRESIDENT: That's up to --
Q And, and, do you stand by your pledge to fire anyone found to have done so?
THE PRESIDENT: Yes. And that's up to the U.S. Attorney to find the facts.
Q My final point would be -- or question would be, has Vice President Cheney assured you --
THE PRESIDENT: It's up to the --
Q -- subsequent to his conversations with them, that nobody --
THE PRESIDENT: I haven't talked to the Vice President about this matter, and I suggest -- recently -- and I suggest you talk to the U.S. Attorney about that.
Well to be fair, one would expect that if anyone should be expected to know how serious the privacy of the identity of Valerie Plame was, the President should. Only if he honestly overestimated it in the beginning, would this logic fly.