The White House press corps finally dared ask Scott McClellan about Karl Rove — 33 times.
The White House Press Corps came roaring back today, discovering the "Is Karl Rove Guilty of Leaking a CIA Operative's Name" story — just nine days after most other media began reporting it.…
Article comments
26 - Silas Kain
One must wonder if Time, Inc's decision to cooperate and turn over the notes has a connection to Mr. Novak. Let's not forget that Time and CNN are part of the same corporate entity. Here's an example of how a mega-corporation could have a negative impact on the exercise of free press. The Rove story is only part of the overall bigger picture. Unfortunately the FCC is owned by the conglomerates.
27 - David R. Mark
Interesting. Hadn't thought of that, Silas.
If that's true, then Miller really is on her own.
28 - Aaman
a good round-up of relevant quotes that provide historical reference of that old truism about scoundrels,politicians and liars
29 - Eric Berlin
Damn, it was frustrating wading through McClellan's sea of non-remarks (which is pretty close to par for the course, actually, if you watch any typical White House press briefing).
I'm just catching up on this story today -- nice job, David.
30 - Robert
When will the people wake up and realize thier all a bunch of liars and crooks and there isn't a damm thing we the people can do about it. This isnt the land of the free its the land of whose in power at the time.
31 - gracefulboomer
Thank you, Aaman.
32 - Silas Kain
Robert, you've answered your own question. People across this great land are waking up. They are realizing that there's something inherently wrong with the way the business of politics is executed. The real question is what CAN we do to change things? I don't buy the "we can't do a thing about it" mentality. We CAN do something. The center of power is ever shifting, Robert. Don't you even recognize the potential we have via a place like BlogCritics and other Blogs? In the few months I've been here, I have learned so much. Four years of college could never have enlightened me as much as BlogCritics.
33 - robert
Silas but as you know we as the people lost the ability to organize in large enough numbers to force them to do whats best for us the people. These days its all about the almighty dollar and who can be purchased for the correct amount whether is goverment contracts or campaign contributions. These days its one corrupt hand washing the other no matter if it's breaking the law or not.
34 - Kato
What a difference a few years make. Since 9/11, the White House has been telling us that we were at war with terrorist around the world and that we needed to watch what we said (1) in order to avoid aiding and abetting the enemy. However, while suppression of free speech is what they recommend for the rest of us, it seems that the rule does not apply to members of the White House Staff. For example, Mr Rove found it perfectly OK to disclose information about active CIA agent to members of the press. And what were the motivations behind this? Retributions seems to be the main motive, as the leak was issued as the result of an editorial faulting the government policy on Iraq and highlighting that findings from an expert were different than the ones the White House was pushing.
In times like ours, it is important to let the truth come out. Because the current investigation is being done by members of the Department of Justice, who answer to the Attorney General, who answers to the White House, the potential for conflict is high.
Considering the existence of such conflict, it seems the only way the country can truly get to the bottom of this would be through the creation of an
independent counsel under Title 28 of the United States Code, Section 595. The goal of this independent counsel would be to investigate to the maximum extent
authorized by law whether Karl Rove or any other members of the White House violated the law when it comes to disclosing information about an active CIA agent. The counsel should also investigate other allegations or evidence of violations of any federal criminal law by organizations or individuals developed during the course of the investigation of Karl Rove and connected with or arising out of that
investigation.
The American people deserve the truth. Our soldiers in Iraq deserve the truth.
And only an independent counsel could truly provide it.
Call your congressman or congresswoman now and ask them to support the creation of an independent counsel. (Contact info for them can be found at
http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm
and
http://clerk.house.gov/members/mcapdir.html
----------------
Footnotes:
1. "All Americans that they need to watch what they
say, watch what they do, and this is not a time for
remarks like that; there never is" - Ari Fleischer,
speaking from the White House Press podium
2. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8525978/site/newsweek/
35 - Silas Kain
On September 30, 2003 President George W. Bush denied any knowledge of a leak and expected that whoever made the leak to come forward. It is important now for the Congress to step up to the plate and demand a full accounting of the matter.
My friends, we have the power to force Congress to step in. We have the power by caliing and/or writing to our Congresspeople and Senators. Then, I would suggest you call Mr. Rove at the White House at (202) 456-2369.
36 - Maynard
Great idea. Call up and have your entire life in a folder on the desk of J. Edgar Hoover 2.0
37 - Robert
You guys act like Mr. Anderson in the Matrix Movie living in a dream. Your Congressman or Congresswoman whichever it may be, doesnt care what you want unless it benefits them personally or professionally
38 - KC
I knew Rove would do a two-step. He must have learned it hanging out with Tom Delay.
From: Pete Yost--Washington Post
"Rove "was discouraging a reporter from writing a false story based on a false premise," said Mehlman. Cooper's e-mail says that Rove warned him away from the idea that Wilson's trip had been authorized by CIA Director George Tenet or Vice President Dick Cheney."
Rove should be in hot water for this. Ought to go down for this--but he won't. He simply won't. There are too many out there willing to forgive and forget anything these guys do almost as soon as they screw up. Doesn't matter how immoral or illegal they won't be called on it, because those who support this Administration don't want to examine their own consciences too closely. They've already sold out too much to turn back now.
39 - Natalie Davis
"Great idea. Call up and have your entire life in a folder on the desk of J. Edgar Hoover 2.0"
IOW, stand up and speak out or be a pussy.
This is America, isn't it? Of the people, by the people, yadda yadda? Land of the free, home of the brave? Speak the fuck up! If lawmakers ignore masses of their constituents speaking up and demanding action regarding dealing with the Plame leak, there is a remedy for it. But are Americans brave enough to risk speaking up or voting the bastards out of office? It's doubtful. Ben Franklin would weep...
Congressional switchboard: 202/224-3121.
40 - Nancy
I just tried to call, and as soon as I asked for Rove, got cut off. This happened 4 times. I get the impression the W.H. is not taking calls for Rove.
41 - KC
"Ben Franklin would weep..."---Natalie Davis
Indeed.
"IOW, stand up and speak out or be a pussy."
Very true, but don't be naive in standing up. Don't think everyone is going to see this as the same thing. Already the GOP is twisting this into "Rove was a whistleblower" ignoring that months before he said he knew nothing about the case, and that both he and prez stated whoever outed an agent should be fired. He jeopardized the lives of not only this woman, but all her contacts and assoicates as well, but that won't stop them from trying to contort the facts until they can pretend he's a hero.
This isn't going to end the Alice thru the Looking Glass logic that's infected half the country. They can turn reality into a pretzel as fast as the facts can be presented. Don't be surprised if Rove twists his way out this, but hopefully in the end he'll be more of an albatross than champion.
42 - Natalie Davis
Holy crap, Ms. Nancy that blows. I didn't run into that problem, but will try again to see what happens.
43 - Dave Nalle
>>This isn't going to end the Alice thru the Looking Glass logic that's infected half the country. They can turn reality into a pretzel as fast as the facts can be presented.<<
I know, it's so true. But fortunately the other half of the country can still tell truth from spin, so we can hope that the Democrats won't get too far with their latest smear and distract campaign.
dave
44 - JR
Says the global warming denier.
45 - Dave Nalle
JR, nice spin. I've never denied global warming. Not once. What I've questioned is the significance of humans in the trend and the ability of human efforts to reverse a massive natural phenomenon.
Dave
46 - Mary Schiebel
Can President Bush select a Supreme Court Justice while an impeachment is looming?
I think the Karl Rove story is simply another ploy to direct the publics' interests away from the real crime(s) of this administration...
the lies told to seduce the Americans into supporting the war on Iraq...they (the republicans) have had this plan in mind since 1997... PNAC
Don't you think that is why Rove will not resign and Bush won't fire him...the longer they lead us all around by the nose on this story, the less time we have to get on with the Impeachment of this country's worst President in our History...That's why Rove is always smiling...he has a greater plan in mind, and he can see that we are all falling into his devious plot...I also think Judith Miller is in on Rove's plans, and that is the real reason she has gone to jail for these liars!
Just a thought...keep up the excellent work.
Mary S
De Pere, WI
47 - Dave Nalle
>>Can President Bush select a Supreme Court Justice while an impeachment is looming? <<
Good question for all of those living in fantasy land. Talk amongst yourselves.
In the real world, on the other hand, where no impeachment is looming, he ought to be able to do the job.
Dave
48 - Grapost
Nixon and Staff = Watergate Crooks & And Convicted
Ford = Pardoned Nixon = The Fix Was In - Crook
Reagan & Staff = Treason - Sold Arms To The Enemy - Iran Contra - Staff Charged And Ready For Trial
Bush Sr. = The Fix Was In Again: Pardoned All charged in Iran-Contra To Avoid Convictions
Bush Jr. - The Fix was In again: Stole 2 Elections - Started Illegal War - Added Signing Statements To Laws.- Politicized all branches of government - Encroached on Constitutional Rights - Enacted vast coverup of lies on Iraq War and attacks on it's critics. And On And On. Continued Criminal acts and policys.
Want more of the same? Vote Republican. Vote McCAIN!