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ABC News: 'Leakgate' or Just a Sideshow?
ABC News ^ | April 6, 2006 | JOHN COCHRAN

Posted on 04/06/2006 1:33:47 PM PDT by West Coast Conservative

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1 posted on 04/06/2006 1:33:48 PM PDT by West Coast Conservative
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To: West Coast Conservative
Wow? What's up with all the context from the MSM lately?

First ABC News starts translating and reporting on the seized Iraqi docs, and then this? The Kos kids are going to lose it. It must be all that conservative media bias.

2 posted on 04/06/2006 1:36:41 PM PDT by cchandler
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To: West Coast Conservative

Was this written to be a commentary/opinion piece or a solid news article?

It appears to be the former.


3 posted on 04/06/2006 1:36:49 PM PDT by Carling (Mocking liberal claptrap since July 1, 2004)
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To: West Coast Conservative
So, barring a court challenge, it appears that both Bush and Cheney have the power to say what is and is not classified.

Oh, that would be great. Now we will have the stinking courts deciding what documents can be and cannot be classified. Hell, the socialist democrats will release all sensitive military intel immediately to assist their gee-had pals in the middle east terrorists groups.

4 posted on 04/06/2006 1:38:16 PM PDT by RetiredArmy (Democrats: The communist, socialist, and Al Qaeda loving party of America.)
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To: West Coast Conservative

If the President authorizes the release of information then by definition it is NOT a leak. Such incredible stupidity with this non-story.


5 posted on 04/06/2006 1:38:43 PM PDT by plain talk
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To: West Coast Conservative
So, the White House is now bracing itself for charges of hypocrisy.

This is the money line of the article. The media knows that the "Bush told Libby to leak Plame's identity" attack won't pass the laugh test. So, they'll just move the goalposts and make the story about Bush's "hypocrisy."

6 posted on 04/06/2006 1:38:57 PM PDT by CFC__VRWC
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To: West Coast Conservative

In either case, these 'leaks' are immaterial to the charges faced by Scooter.

He wasn't charged with leaking information, he was charged with lying to the FBI during an offical investigation.


7 posted on 04/06/2006 1:39:27 PM PDT by Yo-Yo (USAF, TAC, 12th AF, 366 TFW, 366 MG, 366 CRS, Mtn Home AFB, 1978-81)
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To: West Coast Conservative

A poorly written piece of crap! Preying on the ignorance of the people and the hatred of Demoncrats for Bush...


8 posted on 04/06/2006 1:39:48 PM PDT by Edgerunner (Proud to be an infidel)
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To: West Coast Conservative
In 1988 the Supreme Court ruled that the president had the right to determine who should and should not have access to classified information.

Then in March 2003, around the start of the war in Iraq, George Bush expanded that power to include the vice president.

So, barring a court challenge, it appears that both Bush and Cheney have the power to say what is and is not classified.

So, if President Bush did not do anything illegal by giving Scooter Libby the green light, is the White House off the hook?

Not necessarily. Libby's claim could still cause political damage to a president who has spoken out strongly against leaks.

For example: Oct. 7, 2003: "I've constantly expressed my displeasure with leaks, particularly leaks of classified information."

Is it just me or what. The President has the right to decide what is classified or not. So if he deemed this info not worthy how can it be considered a leak?

9 posted on 04/06/2006 1:41:18 PM PDT by rocksblues (Illegal Immigrant racist here.)
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To: West Coast Conservative

bookmark


10 posted on 04/06/2006 1:41:32 PM PDT by freema (Proud Marine FRiend, Mom, Aunt, Sister, Friend, Wife, Daughter, Niece)
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To: West Coast Conservative

"...or is it within his powers to declassify information..."

If the President can't declassify something, who can?


11 posted on 04/06/2006 1:42:01 PM PDT by Flightdeck (Longhorns+January=Rose Bowl Repeat)
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To: West Coast Conservative

To sum it up, the material was from the NIE which the President has the authority to disclose and did in full a week or so later?


12 posted on 04/06/2006 1:42:21 PM PDT by tobyhill (The War on Terrorism is not for the weak.)
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To: West Coast Conservative
Libby's claim could still cause political damage to a president who has spoken out strongly against leaks.

If it's been declassified, it's no longer a leak of classified information.

Of course, the counter point to this is that a proper declassification requires more than just a say-so. Someone with classification authority (which the President arguably has by definition) has to physically sign off on that score...

13 posted on 04/06/2006 1:42:57 PM PDT by kevkrom ("...no one has ever successfully waged a war against stupidity" - Orson Scott Card)
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To: West Coast Conservative
Scooter Libby and John Dean share a common trait - talking way too much, and lack of loyalty to a president in time of war.

BTW.. don't these guys just talk to each other quietly - is everything put down on a memo?

14 posted on 04/06/2006 1:43:57 PM PDT by ziggygrey
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To: kevkrom

What's the form number required for the President to sign off on disclosure?


15 posted on 04/06/2006 1:45:11 PM PDT by tobyhill (The War on Terrorism is not for the weak.)
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To: West Coast Conservative

So this is how coward dean is blowing the DNC cash! Paying off reporters to gin up non-stories.

Yawn.


16 posted on 04/06/2006 1:48:48 PM PDT by goresalooza (Nurses Rock!)
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To: rocksblues
For example: Oct. 7, 2003: "I've constantly expressed my displeasure with leaks, particularly leaks of classified information."

All leaks are not created equal. Feeble attempt at moral equivalents by the MSM trying to say that which the President released is no different than what "we" released.

17 posted on 04/06/2006 1:50:38 PM PDT by gov_bean_ counter (Self appointed RNC Press Secretary for Smarmy Sound Bites.)
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To: Howlin

Ding


18 posted on 04/06/2006 1:53:20 PM PDT by STARWISE (They (Rats) think of this WOT as Bush's war, not America's war-RichardMiniter, respected OBL author:)
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To: Yo-Yo
He wasn't charged with leaking information, he was charged with lying to the FBI during an offical investigation.

Exactly. Scooter is performing for his prosecuters.

Fitzy wants Cheney or Bush as a trophy. He is leading Scooter to say whatever is necessary to hurt Bush.

19 posted on 04/06/2006 1:54:06 PM PDT by ez ("Abashed the devil stood and felt how awful goodness is." - Milton)
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To: West Coast Conservative
It is NOT a LEAK if the PRESIDENT authorizes it. It is NOT classified information if the President declassifies said information.

It is ONLY a LEAK if said LEAK is NOT authorized by an competent OFFICIAL.

What is so amusing is the contortions the MSM will endure and the HOOPS they will have to jump through to pin SOMETHING/ANYTHING on the POTUS.

NON-useful idiots all!!

20 posted on 04/06/2006 1:56:40 PM PDT by PISANO (We will not tire......We will not falter.......We will NOT FAIL!!! .........GW Bush [Oct 2001])
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