Bush, McClellan quotes & comments show Rush Lied about Leak

Limbaugh continues to insult his listeners by attempting to pass off the revelations about Karl Rove's involvement in the leak probe as a "media frenzy". Along with the rest of the right wing noise machine, Limbaugh insisted the President never said he was going to fire anybody and this is "all just a matter of the press trying to get Rove.. get back at Bush.. they hate Bush".

This is an investigation of a serious leak that came from the Whitehouse. It is being conducted by a special prosecutor. Statements were made that have proven false through the subpoena of records. Emails between Matt Cooper and his editor confirm that Karl Rove was pushing information about Joseph Wilson's wife being employed at the CIA days before the Novak piece was public.

The Whitehouse press secretary, Scott McClellan, who speaks on behalf of the President Bush made a series of statements which turned out to be false. These are statements McClellan himself declared as, "inoperative". Rush and people like Hannity, Hume, Coulter, et al tell the right wing faithful there is nothing to all of this. But so far, the record shows otherwise.



The President Denies Rove is Leaker
On the 7th of October 2003, President Bush was asked about the leaker and here is his statement....

Q: Yesterday we were told that Karl Rove had no role in it -- THE PRESIDENT: Yes. Q: -- have you talked to Karl and do you have confidence in him -- THE PRESIDENT: Listen, I know of nobody -- I don't know of anybody in my administration who leaked classified information. If somebody did leak classified information, I'd like to know it, and we'll take the appropriate action. And this investigation is a good thing.

Here President Bush is clearly affirming "Karl Rove had no role in it" and that Bush talked to Rove. But as the email released by Cooper's editor has shown, Karl Rove did have a role in it having pushed the story about Wilson's wife. So either Rove lied to Bush or Bush is lying in saying that he talked to Rove. It could also be that Bush talked to Rove who told him of his talk with Cooper and Bush is lying in his second statement where he claimed he knew of nobody who leaked classified information.


Press Secretary Scott McClellan's Statements and Comments at Press Briefings
The record contains numerous incidents where Scott McClellan made claims and statements regarding the status of Whitehouse personnel and involvement in the leak. McClellan made very specific denials regarding involvement of Karl Rove, Scooter Libby and Elliot Abrams. In terms of Karl Rove, his denial is contradicted by evidence obtained by the special prosecutor in the form of an email between Cooper and his editor at Time. Here is Scott McClellan at the Whitehouse Press briefing on October 7, 2003.

Q: Scott, you have said that you, personally, went to Scooter Libby, Karl Rove and Elliot Abrams to ask them if they were the leakers. Is that what happened? Why did you do that, and can you describe the conversations you had with them? What was the question you asked? McClellan: They're good individuals, they're important members of our White House team, and that's why I spoke with them, so that I could come back to you and say that they were not involved. I had no doubt of that in the beginning, but I like to check my information to make sure it's accurate before I report back to you, and that's exactly what I did. Q: So you're saying -- you're saying categorically those three individuals were not the leakers or did not authorize the leaks; is that what you're saying? McClellan: That's correct. I've spoken with them.

So here is Scott McClellan clearly not only denying the involvement of Karl Rove, but saying he "had no doubt about it from the beginning". That would be before the facts are in. The bottom line is either Karl Rove lied to Scott McClellan or Scott McClellan lied about talking to Karl Rove to the press. It could also be that Scott McClellan knowingly lied to the Press after having been told of Karl Rove's involvement. It is unclear if the press secretary lied. He should be put under oath and asked.


Bush Declares Leaker Will Be Fired
The right wing noise machine including Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Carl Cameron and Britt Hume of Fox and many others have told their listeners and viewers that Bush never did claim he'd fire the leaker. Clearly they are lying. Here is Scott McClellan briefing the press on behalf of the President Bush on October 6, 2003...

Q: But can you confirm that the President would fire anyone on his staff found to have leaked classified information? McClellan: I think I made that very clear last week. The topic came up, and I said that if anyone in this administration was responsible for the leaking of classified information, they would no longer work in this administration. Here is Scott McClellan again on October 7, 2003.... McClellan: If someone leaked classified information, the President wants to know. If someone in this administration leaked classified information, they will no longer be a part of this administration, because that's not the way this White House operates, that's not the way this President expects people in his administration to conduct their business. Carl Cameron insists President Bush never promised to fire over the leak.. McClellan on October 7, 2003... McClellan: No, no. Let me answer what the President has said. I speak for the President and I'll talk to you about what he wants.

Whitehouse Press Briefing October 6, 2003


Whitehouse Press Briefing October 7, 2003

Michael Duffy -- Sunday, Oct. 5, 2003.

What Karl Rove told Time magazine's reporter.