ORIGINAL LEAK In 2003, classified intelligence about the war in Iraq was leaked New York Times reporter Judith Miller.
ADDITIONAL LEAK In September 2003, President George W. Bush, in response to the leaking of CIA officer Valerie Plame's name, said there were too many information leaks. If someone in his administration had leaked Plame's name or other intelligence, that person would be punished, he said.
BUSH SAID Don't leak, or face punishment.
LEAK PROBE In October 2005, Vice President Dick Cheney's aide, I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, was indicted on charges including perjury and obstruction of justice in connection with the CIA leak.
BUSH SAID Leakers should be punished.
LEAK DEVELOPMENT In documents released by the prosecutor in the leak investigation last week, Libby testified Bush authorized him to release classified intelligence on Iraq that defended the administration's decision to go to war.
Libby also claimed the information was released to defend the intelligence used to go to war against attacks in a column in The New York Times by former ambassador Joseph Wilson.
BUSH ALLEGEDLY SAID Leak some classified information.
In a damage control-fueled rush, Bush's spokesman said the president has the authority to declassify intelligence, and the president did nothing wrong.
In comments made Monday, Bush said he declassified some information because, "I wanted people to see the truth."
The president probably does legally have the authority to declassify information. However, information should be declassified because it would benefit the public, not because the president wants to defend his own agenda.
That's not the way the Bush administration, or any president, should be pursuing it's policies.
Even if Bush did legally declassify information, he's been lying when he says he wants to punish information leakers.
If he authorized leaks, he's been putting on an act for nearly three years.
Bush needs to clarify to the American public what exactly went on and why he declassified the information. He should be held accountable for possible leaks, and he needs to be honest.
In Bill Clinton's administration, Republicans said lying is wrong — Clinton lied and almost got kicked out of the White House for it.
You said it yourself, Mr. President: Leakers should be punished.
If you authorized this leak, you're no exception.
