For President, First a Leak; Now, a Jam

NYT Via The Oregonian ^ | 4/8/06 | Scott Shane

[Carling]

WASHINGTON, April 7 — That President Bush authorized an aide to disclose classified intelligence on Iraqi weapons, as asserted in court papers, comes as no shock to official Washington. The leaking of secrets has long been a favored tool of policy debate, political combat and diplomatic one-upmanship.

"We've had leaking of this kind since the administration of George Washington," said Rick Shenkman, a presidential historian at George Mason University.

[Carling]

President Bush needs to get out on this immediately and explain the difference between declassifying documents and having subordinates leak still-classified docs. This is a pre-emptive strike by the MSM to diminish the public's reaction to real leaks that actually harm national security. The worst part of this? Fitzgerald CLEARLY wrote this Libby admission in such a way for this to be the desired result. He must be taken out of his position immediately.

[Carling]

http://www.oregonlive.com/oregonian/ftp/Saturday-A1.pdf

Here is the front page image I woke up to today.

[ez]

A leak is an unauthorized release of information. If the Pres authorized it, IT AIN'T A LEAK.

[EagleUSA]

A leak is an unauthorized release of information. If the Pres authorized it, IT AIN'T A LEAK.
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In this case, a "leak" relates to CLASSIFIED information. It has not been clarified as to whether the information was still classified when the leak happened or not. Declassification does have to take place BEFORE information can be released. I listened to a reporter hit McClellan with this exact question, and he was stumbling all over himself trying not to answer the question. I am afraid that Bush and buddies may have been caught on this one -- they sure are avoiding a plausible explanation to date...we continue to await their response.

[Carling]

Which is why Bush needs to lash out at the media on this IMMEDIATELY.

The unwashed masses don't know this, and the Oregonian's front page today is so misleading that I was spitting mad when I saw it.

The only good thing is this will finally get me to cancel my subscription. I'll have to get the baseball boxscores off of the internet from now on.

[Mr Rogers]

Classified information is classified on the President's authority. Either the President or Vice can declassify anything at any time.

Therefor, it follows that neither can leak classified information, since by leaking it they automatically declassify it.

[sinkspur]

It has not been clarified as to whether the information was still classified when the leak happened or not. Declassification does have to take place BEFORE information can be released.

Not true. The President can declassify ANYTHING on his word alone. Also, one of our own FReepers, ravingnutter, has shown that this document was declassified in October of 2002, a full eight months before this supposed "leak."

I am afraid that Bush and buddies may have been caught on this one -- they sure are avoiding a plausible explanation to date...we continue to await their response.

I'm afraid that you're dead wrong, and you have your explanation.

[RedBloodedAmerican]

" Bush and buddies "

Why does this phrase which was made popular at DU keep appearing on FR these days?

[MNJohnnie]

Why? Every single talking head, radio talk show host and columnist on the Conservative side is finally remembering which side they are suppose to be on and making this point over and over. Ah but that right, it not about the facts, it about finding the next thing to squeal at Bush about.

[sanjacjake]

some problems exist from the top on down..my own take is...Cheney
has his prints all over this..the man can be awfully
vindictive..causing these type of mistakes, the press just
salivates like hell..and it has an effect on the total
credibility of everyone ....up and down...I, for one, am
disappointed...Jake

[MNJohnnie]

Which it did. Guess the DNC Talking Point you are reading failed to point that little fact out to you hmm Howie Dean's mouthpiece?

[MNJohnnie]

...I, for one, am disappointed...Jake

No, you are just ignorant.

[roses of sharon]

Saddam and Son's defense team on board!

[G.Mason]

Lrt's make this simple.

Proof that this was classified when it was leaked with proof that the President leaked it ... impeach and give Cheney a shot.

The administration has no obligation to give the "reporters" anything, including the time of day.

The Dims and the enabling alphabet media are in quicksand. Let them struggle and go under on their own.

Merry Fitzmas!

[Carling]

The majority of the people don't listen to the alternative media. Bush needs to have a presser and get this information out IMMEDIATELY. Half the country thinks the guy is illegally leaking intel, and the liars in the MSM are willing to set this template and perpetuate it.

[Siena Dreaming]

Cheney has his prints all over this

Other than slimy inneundo...can you articulate what Dick Cheney did wrong?

[Bernard]

President Bush needs to get out on this issue, and every other issue as well, as often as he can. Otherwise, he lets the media and Democrats define his image. The President only seems to worry about his image toward the end of election campaigns. He needs to treat every day the same way.

And he needs to veto spending bills.

And he needs to control the border.

And ...

[HarleyLady27]

Just ANOTHER slap at President Bush, we were having 1 a week, then it went to 3 a week, then 1 a day and now 3 or more a day....

Just the DemoRATS crying wolf...like Rush always says: "Everytime the Democrats do or say anything, it always comes back to bite them in the rear"

They just can't be content not being in charge, but if the pubbies don't get off dead center, they WILL be in charge....

I have just written my 2 senators, specter and santorum and frist, to let them know how upset I am over them taking another 16 day vacation....no immigration bill, no tax bill, no nothing....just alot of hot air....maybe WE should take over while they are out of Washington and do the work ourselves.....

[Carling]

Then you should have been mad when Colin Powell "leaked" Key Judgements of the NIE to the UN in February 2003. Of course, it had been declassified since October 2002, but what the hell, let's let hysteria rule the day!

[sinkspur]

"Eagle USA" is another of those "2004" signups who is likely a Democrat troll.

Watch those 2004 signups.