Letter: Bush is looking other way on leak

Monday, Oct. 20, 2003 | 9 a.m.

Two years ago there was a leak of sensitive material on Capitol Hill. President Bush and his then White House spokesman Ari Fleischer held a joint press conference on Oct. 9, 2001.

Bush said: "This can't stand. We can't have leaks of classified information. It's not in our nation's interest." Fleischer followed with this statement: "The President wants to make certain that all people in government are protected, so that nobody can make any mistakes and put anybody else's life in danger."

That was then and this is now.

Ever since right-wing columnist Bob Novak revealed that an administration official leaked the name of a CIA operative, there has been a nonchalant attitude at the Bush White House. The Washington Post reported on Sept. 29 that that Bush has "no plans" to call for the leaker on his staff to come forward. On Oct. 8, the New York Times carried this headline: "Leaker may remain elusive, Bush suggests."

Political memories are always conveniently short in today's acrimonious partisan atmosphere.

JAMES J. POUPARD