Bush: 'No Idea' if Leaker Will Be Found

[Snellius]

President Bush said Monday he has "no idea" whether the Justice Department will catch the person who disclosed an undercover CIA officer's identity. "This is a large administration," he said.

But in a brief question-and-answer session with reporters, the president renewed his pledge to cooperate with the investigation to "come to the bottom of this."

"This is a town where a lot of people leak and I've constantly expressed my displeasure with leaks, particularly of classified information," Bush said. "I hope we can get this investigation done in a thorough way.
...
"I don't know if we're going to find out the senior administration official," Bush said. "I don't have any idea. I'd like to. I want to know the truth."

Bush said: "I have no idea whether we'll find out who the leaker is."

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=514&e=3...

[BeatleBoot]

1. So what he's saying is...

He's clueless

But we knew that

[el_gato]

2. no leaker, no osama, no saddam, no anthrax attacker

hmmm... how convenient

[Fovea]

6. This administration

couldn't find their ass with a roto rooter and a copy of gray's anatomy.

Don't forget the WMD and the Yellowcake!

[judgegina]

7. Did you see the skit on Saturday Night Live...

this past Sat. on Weekend Update? It was all about the things Bush can't find, including all those you mentioned and WMD, of course. The punch line: "His own butt with both hands and a flashlight." The audience roared with laughter.

[Cha]

12. OMG! No!! That's too Funny! Really? They said that?

"His own butt with both hands and a flashlight."

[Drifter]

30. That was good ...

Damn near woke up the Mrs. I was laughing so hard.

Cheers
Drifter

[amlouden]

3. sure

he knows who the leaker is, but he doesn't really care. it's just another problem for him and his re-election bid

[TNOE]

24. No shit

Hey welcome to DU amlouden

If he REALLY wanted to know (and he already does) - all he has to do is ask.

[Q]

27. Note: Bush* was NOT elected...

...and therefore can't be 're-elected'.

[Beetwasher]

4. No big deal, leaks happen all the time, what are ya gonna do?

This spin has to be countered immediately. Leaks may happen all the time, but NOT treasonous leaks exposing NOC CIA agents and destroying networks of sources and informants. Those sorts of leaks are unnacceptable and for this bozo to shrug it off as if it's nothing special is disgraceful and dangerous to the security of this country.

[Kat 333]

40. I've noticed him repeating that

over and over. Too funny. As if this just happens everyday (or lets hope it will make it appear that way) - Such a pathetic idiot which never helps when you're a crook.

I think that it only calls more attention to the fact that it does Not. Oh what tangled webs we weave ...

[Wickerman]

5. So, just what the hell does he know?

Certainly not where Osama is
can't find WMD
can't find Saddam
can't find Anthrax Killer
can't find evidence to convict Kenny Lay
can't find Energy Papers
can't find the parking brake to his brother's car...

[Cha]

8. bush is such a Tool. And bush is a slow leak himself.

And by Nov 2004 ..he is going to be completely Deflated.

[LuminousX]

9. Things Bush Can't Find

To quote Weekend Update on SNL

1. Anthrax assassin
2. Osama bin Ladin
3. Saddam Hussein
4. Weapons of Mass Destruction
5. The Leaker
6. His own ass with two hands and a flashlight

Things Bush Has Found

1. Tommy Chong's bongs

[Cha]

17. Add to "Tommy Chong's bongs"...

In Middle New York the feds have found some "herbal combinations for cancer" and have busted an herblist for selling "snake oil"!

[Wickerman]

23. And whores in New Orleans

if you can believe that!

[enki23]

10. "but i sure as fuck hope not."

he said, under his breath.

[Snellius]

11. This may only fan the flames

There are people, even among conservatives and especially in the Company, or ex-CIA like Larry Johnson, who are burning mad about this incident. To hear this nonchalant attitude to such a back-stabbing crime will only fuel resentment.

[Avalux]

13. Yeah right

Why then are administration lawyers reviewing all info before it goes to the Justice Department? The admin will not allow the leaker to be exposed; chimpy the liar at it again.

In direct contrast to what chimpy said - Bill Kristol was on CSPAN this morning. Can't stand the guy, but he seemed to think it would be very easy to find the leaker; after all, we're not talking about a lot of people here.

Ha ha ha.

[amlouden]

18. justice

having the justice dept. investigating this is like the foxes guarding the hen house

[plcdude]

14. outrageous once again

polygraph everyone who has the ability to know this kind of information. Ask them if they did it or told others on the staff about Plame's covert status. It is outrageous that nothing has been done since this first occured and Schumer requested and investigation just days after this was illegally leaked and reported. We need to press the Senate and H of R on this. Is there a site that we can go to do to put the pressure on this?

[Skittles]

34. republicans lie as easily as they breathe

polygraphs wouldn't do a damn thing

[Maine-i-acs]

15. This is the same administration ...

That has given away our rights to privacy ... allowing As*croft et al complete unfettered access to our own phone records, cellphone signals, email logs, Internet browsing habits etc. all in the interest of national security.

Can't find out who made a phone call? Gimme a break.

[LynneSin]

16. I KNOW WHERE THE LEAKER IS AT!!!!

Hiding in the same cave with Osama Bin Laden, Saddam Hussein, Dick Cheney and a pile of Iraqi WMDs.

They're all watching the returns for the California recall and having a good chuckle about the state of affairs in the US.

BTW - of course Bush knows we're not going to find who it is, you think Bush will turn in his campaign strategist Karl Rove? Pul-lease!!

[ignatius]

19. What an arrogant little ass he is. First of all the

administation is not that Goddamned large. Secondly, he should have been all over this in July before there was time to Enron the evidence.

GRRRR!!!

[Snellius]

20. Bush's attitude testifies he definitely knows

This is sort of the rhetorical counterpart to "he doth protest too much". Bush doth protest too little. He keeps shrugging it off like it was just monkey business as usual.

[Cocoa]

21. where's Bush's can-do spirit?

not like him to be so defeatist about something so important to him.

[rocktivity]

22. Bush has no idea

period.


rocknation

[fob]

25. I know where The Leaker is, He's in the area around

Foggy Bottom and Bush*s Dad!

"...I've constantly expressed my displeasure with leaks, particularly of classified information," Bush said

Boy, I'm sure glad he's ON RECORD with that little claim. What, EXACTLY, have you DONE about that, bush*? Why have you had to CONSTANTLY express displeasure about leaks? Have you chosen persons that are so Un-American they don't know this already? How many TRAITORS do you have to remind daily?

fob

[diplomats]

26. That's the new WH spin

That the leaker will not be found. BTW, anyone notice Bush himself actually used the phrase "senior administration official"?

[jab105]

42. yea, that was interesting...

nothing to see here folks, CA recall to report...

And yet 60% of people trust this guy?

[skip fox]

28. He's setting us up. Over the weekend

someone told him it was Lewis (Scooter) Libby and he realized that went way too high and that stonewalling and lying are the way out. Thus . . . he's a goner. The coverup will crush him. 2 Republican administration in less than a half century! Boy!, the sky sure is blue this morning!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...

[Drifter]

29. Isn't this an admission ...

that he has absolutely no control of what is going on in his administration ?

If this had something to do with his business dealings with Bin Laden, you can bet that he would find out who did it.

There are 2 ways to satisfy this.

1) Either stop the bullshit, and prosocute the leaker.
2) They lower expectations are prepare the American people for inaction

Guess which one there are pursuing ?

Cheers
Drifter

[Ganja Ninja]

31. I expect the CIA to provide evidence.

It is the F-ing CIA after all. They are about the last people you want to cross. They may well have some very incriminating evidence perhaps even a taped conversation of the leaker in the act. If they are as pissed off as its been reported they may well wait for Bush or the leaker to do or say something damaging before the evidence suddenly surfaces. Giving them enough rope to really hang themselves. Here’s hoping.

[arcane1]

32. can you IMAGINE if this were CLINTON?????

pitchforks and torches on the WH lawn is what we would be seeing on the 24/7 "news" channels

but since it's Bush....

[Skittles]

35. sweetheart

Clinton's head would have been on a stick if he had STOLEN THE F***ING ELECTION

[Skittles]

33. he is such a F***ING MORON

[Nottingham]

36. He Hopes they aren't found! What the Hell of Security is this

[truthisfreedom]

37. Cheney.

Cheney.

[Gman]

38. They're beginning to STONEWALL

[havocmom]

49. Tis OK, The CIA probably has the seige machines in place already

and the walls come crumbling down.... Better this way. The whole dispecable bunch will come down in a cover-up conspiracy instead of the token lackey falling on a sword.

[Voltaire99]

51. Yep - stonewalling usually backfires spectacularly

Stonewall, Bush, stonewall!

[psychopomp]

57. Would that that were true!

But Ken Lay and Dick Cheney come to mind.

What this really is is * giving the finger to the public again. He tells boldface lies and his supporters just lap it up! Same ol' BS.

[papau]

39. Bush to media: "high ethics response of protect your sources - or else!".

Bush Expresses Doubt Leaker Will Be Caught
http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGA7VT16ILD.html

This seems to have a line that seems to signal to the press their marching orders

<snip>Bush turned the questions on reporters at the end of a Cabinet meeting. "You tell me: how many sources have you had that's leaked information, that you've exposed or had been exposed? Probably none."
"I don't know if we're going to find out the senior administration official," Bush said. "I don't have any idea. I'd like to. I want to know the truth."
But, Bush said, "This is a large administration and there's a lot of senior officials."
"I have no idea whether we'll find out who the leaker is, partially because, in all due respect to your profession, you do a very good job of protecting the leakers," Bush told journalists. <snip>

Sounds to me like our US Media whores got a loud message from Bush that Bush wants the high ethics media response of protect your sources - or else.


Not that our media whores are controlled by the right wing GOP - they just act that way.

[larryepke]

41. On the subject of leaks

http://www.nytimes.com/2003/10/06/international/06PREX....

The article from the NY Times concerns the White House plan to put control of the Iraq and Afghanistan missions in the hands of Condi Rice. Here's the intriging quote:

"The reorganization was described in a confidential memorandum that Ms. Rice sent Thursday to Secretary of State Colin L. Powell, Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld, and the director of central intelligence, George J. Tenet. Asked about the memorandum on Sunday, Ms. Rice called it 'a recognition by everyone that we are in a different phase now...'"

OK, so what about the leak of this "confidential memorandum"? Does this leak cause Boy George further "displeasure?" Of course not! It was intentional, and was done for political purposes.

Their indignation is selective indeed.

[Snellius]

43. Bush is really threatening other leakers like Wilson

It is clear that Bush considers Wilson himself the original leaker, who violated his mission. By saying he wants to crack down on ALL those who divulge unauthorized information (especially if it is embarrassing to the administration) he is actually directing his ire as much against anyone else who criticizes his policy as against whomever talked to Novak. This is a confession.

[2cents]

44. There were TWO leakers

It seems they (media, WH) are subtlely pushing the idea of a single leaker.

Bush said: "I have no idea whether we'll find out who the leaker is."

Even Novak, when interviewed by Russert, framed his answers in the singular.

I guess not finding one leaker is better than not finding two.

[neverforget]

45. He's certain he'll find Osama, Saddam and WMD but not the leaker.

The first 3 will help him politically, the fourth will sink him.

[calimary]

46. What a milquetoast response "...I'd like to." GEEZ.

It's only possible treason, that's all.

I didn't believe it either, til my husband came out and told me some verbatims, having just seen a clip of it. Then he hollered when it was on again and i saw it for myself.

Un-FRIGGIN-believable!!!! Totally stupifying!!!!!!

[tom_paine]

47. Oh, he KNOWS

The Busheviks will NEVER out one of their own.

Period.

Loyalty to the Busheviks is a much higher priority for these people than Loyalty to the Constituition of the United States.

Period.

[SideshowScott]

48. Well Bush is right about one thing...He has no Idea!

What leadership i tell ya! I expect this investagation will move slow like molassas..Like the 9/11 ivestagation, Anthrax, Enron, ect...Even if Bush does not know who the leaker is ( I really DOUBT it though ) he acts like he has no intrest if finding out who it is..Therby saying its perfectly OK for that kind of thing to happen. My god ill bet the C.I.A is even more pissed than before

[JHB]

50. Not "the leaker" Chim-Chim. It's "the Felon"

And a FELON who exposed an intel network critical to national security, as well.

Never let him "16 words" this.

[kayell]

52. CBS news actually called them on this

Mentioned how fast the WH was all over the congress for a national security leak 2 years ago, yet ignored this national security leak for more than 2 months.

[et in Arcadia ego...]

53. In other words, the White House Plumbers are going to fix the leak

to keep the truth from getting out. The 'Bush Doctrine' is pipe dope.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

55. The last time the WH plumbers went to work, Watergate was the result.

[Basurero]

54. bush has no idea about anything.

His is the "No Idea" administration:

No idea about creating a sane energy policy.

No idea about insider trading.

No idea about fiscal policy.

No idea about 9-11.

No idea about Osama.

No idea about Saddam.

No idea about traitors in the White House.

Not a clue.

[DemonFighterLives]

56. You've got that right!

He did have an idea today though, that he would be able to work with arnold. The two goofballs together are sure to bury any and all information about Enron and Leakers etc.

[maggrwaggr]

58. The CIA knows, and they are dealing with it

Expect Bush to go down, fairly soon, thanks to the CIA.

YEAH!

[havocmom]

59. Naw, the chimp is never really in the loop, is he?

More fun that the CIA takes the puppetmasters down
and the chimp stands alone.
The chimp stands alone.
Hi ho the dairy oh!
The chimp stands alone.

Make the little weasle try to pull off his cocky routine with no one left to lean on. That would be sooooo sweet.

[Q]

60. Look...this isn't 'accidental'...

...Bush* is setting YOU up for what's coming: they're going to 'move on' and expect you to come with them. Don't agree? Tough shit. Welcome to New America.

[mw]

61. Thank God Bush didn't say he'd get him "dead or alive"

This leaker has NOTHING to worry about.

I mean, its not like Bush said he'd find him "dead or alive". Ooooooh! Then he should be REAL scared!

[Snellius]

62. Was Bush using the cover of the California election?

To admit that there was no way he was going to reveal the leakers name? He knew the press would bury this story? Nobody gives a damn and those who do can't do anything about it.

[salin]

63. Doesn't sound to convinicing

that he wants the leak to be found... or more importantly that people in his administration risked national security - making it more, not less, possible for terrorists to get (nuke related) WMD materials undetected (and thus unprevented). That latter fact is still woefully underplayed in many of the news items. Yes we now know that there was exposure of an undercover operative, and yes we sorta read somewhere that it was related to WMDs, and maybe we read that item that indicated a whole operation - and CIA front was compromised... but what is really important in the news is that BUsh said he wants to find the leak but doesn't know that he will. Boy for a man who claimed he could orchestrate the smoking out of Osama (and Saddam) - he sure looks incompetent - can't even 'smoke out' the persons in his own administration who crossed the line from dirty politics to outright riskng National Security. Honor and dignity my behind.