President Bush: Leak Investigation Focuses On His Role (Pt. II)

This new AP report has a good summary of this saga:
Libby Says Bush OK'd Leaks, Filing Alleges

Truth Dig has a good compilation of links on this story. Andrew Sullivan has commentary.

Also, like with wiretapping, a big issue is that the President has contradicted many prior assurances.

Day two... We'll see if the White House press corps gets around to asking about this. Let's preview the answer(s)- "The President has the right to declassify...", "ongoing investigation", "The President has a right to defend his case for war (with selectively leaked, misleading info)", "inherent executive authority", "please go away".

(UPDATE: Scott McClellan does indeed play the "ongoing investigation" card)

This AP headline says it all- White House Declines to Counter Leak Claim

One hopes that (in addition to the contradiction between the official declassification date and this leak) someone will push the point that, yes, the President does have the power to declassify, but that's not the issue... it's the political (ab)use of that power that makes this a 'leak' and scandalous. 'Declassifying' something in secret so Scooter can pass it on to his reporter pal to settle a political grudge is a big issue. There are procedures to be respected; the President isn't a law to himself. And we've already seen how this selective leaking of heretofore classified information has connections to the Plame saga. As the odious Henry Kissinger once said, "I never leak. I de-classify." There are also preexisting questions of the Vice President's role in this.

It's proof of a growing problem... the Bush administration's creeping monarchism.

Sure, the Podhoretzes will always defend the President against his foes (real or imagined), but only a fool at this point gives the President the benefit of the doubt. When Congress or other parties want important information declassified and made public, the White House stonewalls to the full extent of their power. They declassify and leak for their gain only, and they classify for their gain as well. It's a political game to them and it's time to address this very serious pattern of behavior.

[See also previous entry- President Bush: Leak Investigation Focuses On His Role]