September 30, 2003

Bush's Role in Plame/Wilson

John Cole's question about President Bush's role in the Plame/Wilson investigation is just so good:

Why does the left seem to think that Bush needs to get involved in this- my guess is so that anything he says can be scrutinized and distorted so later on they can treat it as a lie or as evidence of a cover-up?

If Bush did get personally involved in the investigation he could be asked by reporters or investigators as to what he knew and when. If he lied or said anything strange this affair would turn into a "coverup is worse than the crime" scandal. To protect the President, I'm guessing only lawyers in the White House Counsel's office is asking anything. As lawyers they have more protection with the attorney-client privilege. Ironically, those Bush critics who complain that Bush isn't involved enough to get to bottom of this have created an environment where the President can't get involved or risk further political and legal liability.

"Last Plame Post for a While"