The CIA Leak Scandal: Bush Won't Comment on Own Comment

This morning a White House reporter, while posing Bush a question, noted that his political allies were getting ready to dismiss any indictments as minor cheap-shots and to blast Fitzgerald for being overzealous, and she asked if Bush still stood by the comment he made weeks ago when he said that Fitzgerald had been conducting a "dignified" investigation. She was referring to Bush's appearance on the Today show on October 11. Here's that exchange:

Matt Lauer: But does it worry you that [the prosecutors] seem to have such an interest in Mr. Rove?

Bush: I'm not going to talk about the case. I've been asked this a lot, my answer is consistent. The special prosecutor is conducting a very serious investigation. He's doing it in a very dignified way, by the way--and we'll see what he says.

This morning, Bush did not take the opportunity to reaffirm his previous statement. Instead, he said, "I'm not going to comment about [the investigation]. I haven't changed my mind on whether I'll be commenting publicly." But Bush had commented publicly on the probe when he praised Fitzgerald for running a "dignified" inquiry. Now he won't publicly comment on his own public comments? Is he building a stonewall out of glass? Bush then quickly changed the subject and, looking at one of the reporters, said, "Fine-looking shades you have there."

For more on Plamegate and my other obsessions, see my blog at www.davidcorn.com.