President Bush has modified his prior stance on the Wilson/Plame CIA leak case. Previously, Mr. Bush said that anybody involved in the leak would be fired. On Monday, the president changed his stance and promised to dismiss those responsible for the leak only if a crime was committed.
'I would like this to end as quickly as possible so we know the facts and if someone committed a crime they will no longer work in my administration,' Bush said at a news conference Monday with visiting Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
Bush continued his recent policy of refusing to comment on the specifics of the leak due to the ongoing investigation. 'I want to know all the facts,' he said. 'The best place for the facts to be done is by somebody who is spending time investigating it.'
In addition to Karl Rove, Bush's top political advisor and deputy chief of staff, the leak story has also focused on Vice President Cheney's top assistant, Lewis 'Scooter' Libby. According to testimony by 'Time' magazine reporter Matthew Cooper, Libby was another source that informed him of Valerie Plame's status as a covert CIA agent. Rove was the first source.
Scott McClellan, the White House Press Secretary had repeatedly denied that either Mr. Rove or Mr. Libby were involved in the leak in any way in 2003 and 2004.
Republicans continue to defend both Libby and Rove and are trying to turn this issue into one of partisan politics. The only problem is that national security is involved and the actions of the leaker put partisan politics ahead of the good of the country. The investigation continues.
