Bush alters line on leak

Pittsburgh Post Gazette ^ | July 19, 2005 | Ann McFeatters, Post-Gazette National Bureau

[Ramcat]

Bush alters line on leaks President now says anyone in administration who committed a crime would be dismissed Tuesday, July 19, 2005

By Ann McFeatters, Post-Gazette National Bureau

WASHINGTON -- President Bush subtly shifted his language yesterday about punishing anyone working for him who may have leaked the name of a CIA agent, suggesting that his new standard for firing someone is whether an actual crime was committed.

Ron Edmonds, Associated Press President Bush and Karl Rove, chief of staff. Click photo for larger image.

Bush once said that if anyone in his administration leaked classified information, "appropriate action" would be taken. Yesterday, in response to a question at a press conference with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Bush said, "If someone committed a crime, they will no longer work in my administration."

[stocksthatgoup]

At the press conference on Monday, July 18, 2005: If someone committed a crime they will no longer work in my administration.", is how Bush wrapped up his answer. "If there is a leak out of my administration, I want to know who it is and if the person has violated the law, the person will be taken care of," he said in September 2003.

Can someone point out the inconsistency?

[Bahbah]

Can someone point out the inconsistency?

No.

[absolootezer0]

suggesting that his new standard for firing someone is whether an actual crime was committed. his old standard was firing people who did NOT commit a crime?

[Bahbah]

You can easily violate the law without committing a crime, just by violating any of the laws which do not put forth a punishment for violation of it.

Name one.

[Wristpin]

"Wouldn't leaking classified information be a crime?"

Yes it is. Certainly all the HUMINT sourced information in Joe Wilson's July 2003 OP ED piece fits the bill.

[Larry Lucido]

would be dismissed Tuesday

Well, today's Tuesday. Guess we'll hear something soon.

[tiki]

THE PRESIDENT: Yes. Let me just say something about leaks in Washington. There are too many leaks of classified information in Washington. There's leaks at the executive branch; there's leaks in the legislative branch. There's just too many leaks. And 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.

Say that with an Italiano accent and it takes on a whole new meaning.

[Ramcat]

"The mainstream press uses the same tactics and has the same reasoning capability as a 13 year old uses against his/her parents... all that is missing is the whine."

I knew this tactic seemed familiar. You nailed it!
"Junior High Logic"

[alnick]

A violation of the law is much more broad. You can easily violate the law without committing a crime

A violation of the law is a crime.

[unixfox]

He should just fire Rove and get over with it.

So, let's say your boss should just fire you and get it over with. Even if you didn't do anything wrong?

[syriacus]

Do you really think Bush gives a shit about Wilson's wife or anything leaked about her?

Probably prays for her soul every night.

[tiki]

Have they been giving grammer and spellcheck lessons at DU? Or is you just an edjukated troll? I'm impressed.

[jimbo123]

Your Troll is showing...

[wagglebee]

There was NO CRIME committed. All Bush was doing yesterday is reminding the press that he won't have criminals working for him, UNLIKE HIS PREDECESSOR.

[tobyhill]

"If you want to pick on words: A crime is a serious offence, for which punishment is imposed on conviction."

Please push the area that has the letters S P E L L.

[tobyhill]

Is it your contention that President Bush should fire Rove?

[B Knotts]

The partisan press is an active part of the Democrat Party.