It Is Time to Investigate the White House's Betrayal of Trust

Our country has spent over four years attempting to unravel the story surrounding the leak of covert CIA agent Valerie Plame's identity by members of the Bush administration to a number of journalists. The leak jeopardized our national security and belies the administration's long standing claim that they and the Republican Party are best suited to keep America safe.

Former White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan was one of the key figures in the Bush administration's efforts to respond publicly to the investigation into the Plame leak. He spoke for the White House and he was the filter through which the public learned about which officials were and were not involved in the leak. Standing in front of the White House Seal, McClellan famously denied any White House involvement in the leak, "If anyone in this administration was involved in it, they would no longer be in this administration."

Yesterday we found out that this simple statement attesting to McClellan's faith in the Bush administration's lawful behavior appears to be patently untrue. McClellan tells us, "I had unknowingly passed along false information. And five of the highest ranking officials in the administration were involved in my doing so: Rove, Libby, the vice President, the President's chief of staff, and the president himself."

We need to launch an immediate investigation to determine the facts of this case, the extent of any cover up and determine what the President knew and when he knew it. If in fact the President of the United of States knowingly instructed his chief spokesman to mislead the American people, there can be no more fundamental betrayal of the public trust.

That any White House official, let alone the President and the Vice President of the United States, would instruct others to mislead the American people about revealing the identity of a covert CIA agent is beyond unconscionable. It is an action that makes us less safe and secure. Worse still, it undermines the ability of our intelligence community to act with the confidence that their work will not be jeopardized in order to advance the partisan interests of one political party.

The American public deserves to know the extent of President Bush's involvement in both the leak of Valerie Plame's identity and what efforts, if any, he made to direct a cover up. Scott McClellan has brought forward a new piece to this sordid puzzle - it is time, once and for all, for the public to know the full story behind the betrayal of Valerie Plame by the Bush administration.

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Comments

[massimo1]

If you are the president, it is not okay to lie to the American people without consequences. Impeach.

[davidly]

With all due respect Senator, nothing indicates that this in anything but talk, for it's been long past impeachment time for some time already; the evidence has long been there. Where have you been?

If you want to show due respect to your country, you should be talking up impeachment with Kucinich on the campaign trail, as well as to your constituency and, most importantly, in Washington.

[stellanoir]

Kind Senator,

With All Due Respect,

Pssssssssssttttt. . .

Betrayal of trust = violation of oath to defend the constitution from all enemies, both foreign and domestic = tantamount to treason.

Those who have followed this story from the get go and who may or may not have heard former Ambassador Wilson speak so eloquently, or those who have been completely wowed by Valerie's outstanding candor and integrity, know all too well the totally nefarious motivations for the outing, subsequent smears, and multiple misrepresentations, by a media hell bent on selling and perpetuating this tragic war.

The decades old rivalry due to Wilson being far more knowledgeable about Southeast Asia than our current VP. Under GHWB, who often deferred to the all so wise Wilson, rather than the utterly short sighted, disingenuous and greedy one who's looted our treasury for his own further enrichment is also well known in some circles.

The implications of what Brewster Jennings was tracking in Turkey at the time, is also well known.

Please go after these pariahs.

Thanks in advance.

Forced resignations and being fined for taxing reparations would be really appropriate IMHO.

Plame and Wilson have more valor in their baby toes than all the members of this "misadministration" combined.

Best to you and Happy Thanksgiving.

[procrustes]

If our new Attorney General does not vigorously pursue this issue, Sen. Feinstein and Schumer should ridden out of Foggy Bottom on a rail!

Can you say "impeachment", Senator?

[sofia]

Dear Senator Dodd,
If you can convince Pelosi to start impeachment hearings, you will get my vote! The Democrats have got to get a spine and show how outraged and impatient we have become. And No, we are not all left wing loonies. Even my Republican friends have had enough and want impeachment at all costs.

[sloLes]

Let's move forward, not begin a phony show where inept politicians ask self-agrandizing questions in front of TV cameras. This country has deep problems, which need to be faced & tackled. And we need to elect someone who will lead, not prance in front of TV cameras bashing Bush. Given the timeline, it's easier and more practical to focus on electing the next administration. So, investigating Bush may feel good, but it won't get the job done!

So, Chris Dodd, if you're really an effective leader, you'll focus on ending the wars and pinning the donkey tail of loser on Bush. After discrediting him for real cause, that is losing all the wars he started, let's move on to doing something constructive, like saving the dollar or paying the bills.

Right now, you're part of the group that folds when Bush leans on them, and votes to fund his insane wars. We don't need any more investigation. We need intelligent action!!!

[Beaux510]

Amen Senator Dodd.

Pardon me while I stand over here and hold my breath.

[nellyol'son]

has this president ever spoken a truth? just today i read that he thinks Musharraf is 'truly interested in democracy'. every day it's more and more outlandish.

clearly, the president does not respect his job. that's REALLY sad and REALLY embarrassing. and it's confounding that NOBODY HAS DONE ANYTHING ABOUT IT!

why is this president allowed to thumb his nose at us? where the frig are the checks and balances? Dodd, if there's anyone to take up this issue, it's you and your brethren in the senate. DO SOMETHING!

[MagisterLudi]

Agreed. In Parliamentary system this government would've gotten a no confidence vote years and ago. Alas in the checks and balances system...
But then the same system that prevents us from getting rid of Bush also helped to prevent Republican Congress from impeaching Clinton. Right?
Nevertheless, Bush administration should be investigat­ed...after Democrats take over White House (hopefully). Afterall, criminal leaders like Pinochet faced some (not enough) justice after leaving office. Why not Cheney and Bush.

[dotmafia]

Mr. Dodd,

It's amazing that while you are calling for investigations, the American public is way too far and many, many steps ahead of you. The astounding amount of corruption, lies, and cronyism in this "administration" is quite crystal clear by now.

It's also quite clear that the American public does not demand any more investigations.

The American public demands immediate accountability and punishment, something which has been all but non-existant for 7 long years.
_

[paixa3]

Senator Dodd. Please push the house of representatives to begin the investigation for IMPEACHMENT.

Thank you.

[ShelleyC]

We know there's not much, if any, integrity among the current administration, but I'm not sure this particular issue is a top priority at this point. Damage done - correct the problem with severe consequences in an effort to avoid a similar incident in the future. Anyway, I had the opportunity to watch the D debates here in Las Vegas last week and I have since signed up with your campaign to receive information. So far, among all of the candidates I'm impressed with your integrity and thoughtfulness, and I think you would serve our country very well as President.

[darcy]

Senator Dodd, you're surprised? It's been obvious all along that bush/cheney have been lying their asses off. And as far as McClellan not knowing it goes, if you believe that, I have a bridge to sell ya.

Now with all due respect, sir, why don't you go over to Nancy Pelosi's house and insist that she do her constitutional duty and impeach!

[realitybase]

Senator Dodd, It's time to TELL your friends in the House (including Pelosi) it's TIME to open the articles of Impeachment of both Cheney and Bush. If they are ejected, Pelosi serves and restores the Constitution. Is that a dream or what? Useless, useless dems.

[lastams]

Enough with the investigations already!
How about actually taking some action?
I mean what's it going to take to empower a special prosecuter ... do these guys have to gang rape the Constitution on the White House lawn or what?