Leaker in Chief

Never mind that Libby only left the White House upon indictment and that Karl Rove still works there, security clearance intact - this administration does not tolerate leakers! After the revelation of the extra-legal domestic spying, shrubya had this to say:

Meeting with reporters at the White House, Bush said he has the power as commander in chief to repeatedly authorize the National Security Agency to listen in on private domestic phone calls to crack terrorism cases, and that program needs secrecy to avoid tipping off suspected terrorists.

''My personal opinion is, it was a shameful act for someone to disclose this very important program in a time of war. The fact that we're discussing this program is helping the enemy."

So why does he keep discussing it? In a recent break from the true WOT his vacation, he did some speechifyin' and other prezudenshal posturing. Apparently, his handlers are on vacation, too.

President Bush on Sunday strongly defended his domestic spying program, saying it's a limited initiative that tracks only incoming calls to the United States.

"It's seems logical to me that if we know there's a phone number associated with al-Qaida or an al-Qaida affiliate and they're making phone calls, it makes sense to find out why," Bush said. "They attacked us before, they'll attack us again."

That sounds like a leak to me; it certainly provides more specific information about the program than the leak in question. At least it would if it were accurate. I really think shrubya's winging it again. Not to worry, though - his handlers are back on the job.

The White House, clarifying the president's remarks after his appearance, said later that either end of the communication can in fact be outside the United States.

I really don't think they pay attention to anything they say. Discussing the spying program helps the enemy, so Mr. "I'll keep you safe"...discusses it. Then the White House feels compelled to correct the preznit, providing more information about the program. I'm sure Al Qaida appreciated the update.

This is all even more pathetic in light of William Safire's recent appearance on Meet the Press:

MR. SAFIRE: I was writing a speech on welfare reform, and the president looks at it and says, "OK, I'll go with it, but this is not going to get covered. Leak it as far and wide as you can beforehand. Maybe we'll get something in the paper." And so I go back to my office and I get a call from a reporter, and he wants to know about foreign affairs or something, and I said, "Hey, you want a leak? I'll tell you what the president will say tomorrow about welfare reform." And he took it down and wrote a little story about it.

IOKIYAR!