So it comes as a surprise that a member of his administration leaked to Robert Novak the fact that the wife of Ambassador Wilson is an undercover CIA agent. Wilson thinks this is payback for contradicting Bush and reporting that Iraq did not import uranium from Niger.
Payback or not, outing an undercover agent is a crime. Worse, this reduces U.S. security. Those who do such things are not with us but "with the terrorists."
And yet, Bush does not seem perturbed. If you have any information, let us know, is what he says. This from a man who has been rigid and strict in his enforcement of a no-leak policy. A policy, I might add, that has been remarkably effective. Until now.
Why is Bush acting so meekly now? He says the Justice Department will discover the culprit. I doubt this. Besides, lawyers familiar with the specific law involved state that making a case in court would be extremely difficult. Could it be that Bush is relying on Ashcroft to drag the case out and smother the scandal to death?
Democrats are hollering for an independent counsel. An independent counsel would have similar problems. In addition, the counsel would face well-developed Bush-foot-dragging procedures.
Why does not Bush follow the easy path of determining himself - if he does not already know - who the leaker is. I am sure he can find out quickly. Then he can immediately fire him in order to "make our nation more secure."
