EDITORIAL: Obama, the leaker in chief

The Washington Times ^ | June 8, 2012 | Editorial

[jazusamo]

Politics trumps national security in Barack’s White House

President Obama takes umbrage at the idea that a spate of leaks of highly classified national-security information is somehow purposefully intended to bolster his leadership credentials. His resistance to an independent investigation will only make things worse for him. The Obama White House is leaking like a sieve. Trying to cover it up will only make the scandal bigger.

On Friday, Mr. Obama took the charges of selective leaks head-on: “The notion that my White House would purposely release classified national-security information is offensive,” he said. “It’s wrong, and people I think need to have a better sense of how I approach this office and how the people around me here approach this office.” His protestations carry little credibility. On the previous day, the White House rejected a bipartisan call by leaders of the House and Senate intelligence committees to appoint a special counsel to investigate the leaks.

Even very liberal legislators are worried about the brewing crisis of administration staff leaks. Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Dianne Feinstein, California Democrat, told CNN on Thursday, “I’ve been on the Intelligence Committee for 11 years and I have never seen it worse.” Mr. Obama’s high dudgeon about the temerity of accusations of White House impropriety will not be enough to save his team from scrutiny.

There have been leaks about drone strikes, U.S. special operations and foreign classified information such as Israel’s alleged deal with Azerbaijan to support a military strike against Iran...

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks jazusamo.

[adorno]

“The notion that my White House would purposely release classified national-security information is offensive,” he said. “It’s wrong, and people I think need to have a better sense of how I approach this office and how the people around me here approach this office.”

That sounds like his "Monica Lewinski moment":

"I never had sexual relations with that woman, Monica Lewinski".

Except that, leaking national security information is many times more egregious.

[jazusamo]

Well stated...Clinton's indiscretion can't hold a candle to Zer0’s.

Besides that Clinton wasn't doing it to get reelected and Zer0 is.

[TexasTransplant]

He learned from Bill Clinton (and you can bet Hillary is spewing everything she knows as well)

TT

[9YearLurker]

He’s also already down to merely defending the (his) motive. All that leaking wasn’t done ‘on purpose’, as in with full knowledge and understanding of the classified nature of the gushers being leaked.

[Former Proud Canadian]

Isn't it amazing what he said and didn't say when you parse out the words.

Upon revisiting this thread, I think this might be a "Lewinski" moment. I don't think there is any doubt who is leaking this stuff, and why.

[9YearLurker]

Yep.

Too bad he’s only got the GOP as opposition to follow up on it.

[LjubivojeRadosavljevic]

The leaks from the WH are criminal and may have already cost lives.

The leaks are coming from individuals associated with David Axelrod.

[Irish Eyes]

Besides that Clinton wasn't doing it to get reelected and Zer0 is.

Don't put any money on that!