Think Progress

Bush: Rove Investigation Is Not Over and Remains Serious

press

Moments ago at a press conference with President Bush:

QUESTION: Are there discussions in the White House about whether or not Karl Rove will remain in his job?

BUSH: Elizabeth, the investigation on Karl as you know is not complete and therefore I will not comment on him and/or the investigation. I understand the anxiety and angst by the press corps to talk about this. On the other hand, It’s a serious investigation, and we take it seriously.

Someone tell Bill Kristol.

UPDATE:
Crooks and Liars has the video.



76 Responses to “Bush: Rove Investigation Is Not Over and Remains Serious”

  1. wisedup says:

    Hey GW, your reading scotties notes:…opps


  2. RunningDogLackey says:

    Hey, everybody — Chimpy said “angst.”

    That must be the new word of the week, since he’s pretty much worn out “opine.”


  3. Lesly says:

    Anxiety? Yes. Angst? Only if a reporter other than yourself breaks the news first.


  4. Ugh says:

    More evidence that Karl is not in charge anymore.


  5. dano347 says:

    “Rep. Tom DeLay (R-TX) filed a report with the Clerk of the House of Representatives indicating he received free travel valued at $13,998.55 from Fox News Sunday for ‘officially connected travel’ on October 1-2, 2005, from Sugarland, TX to Washington, D.C. and back to Sugarland, TX. Rep. DeLay appeared on Fox News Sunday on October 2, 2005, the weekend after his indictment on September 28, 2005.”

    And which is this; Fair or Balanced? Fox News is the propaganda arm of the republican party,and this proves it. So Ned, IRI and all the rest; when did a “liberal” news outlet EVER pay for an indicted criminal’s air-fair to court?


  6. Granite State Destroyer says:

    Boy, is it me or does President Bush look like a frat guy who went on a weekend long bender? He is looking drawn and sallow and I swear, though my mom thinks I am crazy, but his eyes appear to moving closer together.

    Did you hear him talking about supporting country’s that appreciate “checks and balances”. You know, like having an opposition party that is allowed to get shit done with out having to resort to parliamentary tactics just to have some oversight?

    He talked about a the importance of a “free press”. You know a free press that can be covertly paid cash money by the federal government(an illegal act) to promote the Presidents agenda, hello Armstong Williams and Kenneth Tomlinson.

    He stressed the importance of “relgious freedom”. You know the kind of freedom where religious leaders meet secretly with government officials and are told “secret things they aren’t supposed to know” about potential supreme court judges. Freedom of religion where the supreme nominee is held up as an “evangelical Christian” thus creating a relgious litmus test for a judge, another violation of the law.

    Yes lecture away George. Lecture the world about the “rule of law” while you hold American citizens without trial and hearings and while violating treaties, another law breaking maneuver. Lecture about our inherent decency while your Vice President pushes congress to allow the CIA to use torture here and overseas and in secret jails and in old Soviet Bloc nations.

    The more you talk George, the worse it gets.

    Now please, have a drink and relax. You only have three more years.

    -GSD


  7. Zookeeper says:

    GWB is transferring his anxiety and angst to the press corps. How cute.


  8. nowar says:

    Let us recommit ourselves today to nothing short of impeachment.We must send a real message.


  9. deegahl says:

    My only issue is that the President of the United States doesn’t seem at all interested in talking about the possible leaking of the name of a CIA operative and people in his Administration lying to HIS FBI and HIS Justice Department.


  10. Joe Sixpack says:

    As a redneck conservative I’m a little confused. Did he say angst or some sh*t? What the hell is angst?

    Correct me if I’m wrong, but he was probably thinking Angus, like the cow. I mean, like the folks down in Crawford do.


  11. jparker says:

    Ten buck says IRI, NeD or Mighty still insist that Rove was spared indictment and it’s all a minor affair. Because their Talking Points say so.


  12. Damon says:

    But not serious enough to get rid of Rove’s security clearance, or maybe… say… fire him? Sure sounds like Rove was “involved” and you made a pledge to the American people, didn’t you Mr. President?


  13. Blue State Red says:

    Anything you say, Judd. Just don’t hold your breath. When the Left is reduced to cutting and pasting bits and pieces of the President’s words from a press conference to support its own fever swamp theories you know they have already lost.


  14. blogenfreude says:

    When the Left is reduced to cutting and pasting bits and pieces of the President’s words from a press conference to support its own fever swamp theories you know they have already lost.
    So what are we supposed to get if from … the Dear Leader’s voluminous writings? His frequent statements to the press? Those long exchanges he has with audiences who don’t necessarily agree with him?
    Give me a break. You and your kind are finished.


  15. Wayne A. Schneider says:

    #6 Hey, GSD,

    If you want a small measure of extra satisfaction, copy and paste your comments into an e-mail and send it to president@whitehouse.gov. Not that the president himself actually reads them. Or reads. I send him nasty e-mails all the time. I love the First Amendment!


  16. RunningDogLackey says:

    Sorry. Only me and Dubbya say “constinuously.” Duh.


  17. Spudge_Boy says:

    Do not respond to the trolls.

    #16

    Didn’t Bushie already say that he doesn’t read or use e-mail? He said he didn’t want the press to read them. In actuallity, he knows that anything that is e-mail by him can be used as evidence in his impeachment.


  18. wisedup says:

    Just out poll shows 51% for IMPEACHMENT if bush lied about reasons for going to war…IF?, the ‘if’ is being exposed…goodbye bushie.



  19. Average TV Viewer says:

    This is just a normal 2nd term lull.


  20. Jesus Christ God of WAR says:

    Bush is probably the most impeachable pResident in our history. Yet Repug shills have protected him by burying all investigations into any of Georgey Boy Bush’s wrong-doings.

    HOWEVER, the election season will soon be upon us. If enough people are pissed at Bush, this anger is very transferrable to other Repugs. They know this. And some are “concerned” about loosing their seats (a**es?).

    IF, and this is a big if, the Dems regain control, Bush should easily be impeached.


  21. mysticagent says:

    Wait! Didn’t the Rovian all-partisan all-the-time machine pass out talking points that this was all over? Bush said a lot of things. He meant them when he said them. They promise us it is true. But, you know, things change. When Bush made his comment about firing anyone involved in Plame he truly believed that they had covered their a##es well enough not to be found out… I mean, he truly believed that no crime was committed (oh, damn, his initial comment said “involved”, not “crime”… well, let’s just do another speech and it will be all better… there, all better). Don’t forget the rule: this administration is not accountable for anything they say or do: they ARE the government and everyone else (i.e. all of us, including Ned, IRI, MightyA, wwallace, etc., etc.) are their subjects. Hail to the king, baby. American monarchy soaked in oil and the blood of our countrymen (plus a few tens of thousands of foreigners).


  22. The Fly-man says:

    I’ve always wondered if he really likes his job. You think that someone who looks that annoyed ever really thought about what he got himself into. Maybe he would like to go have a cold beer with Newt. He was still drinking when his dad was pres. wasn’t he?


  23. Wayne A. Schneider says:

    #18 He probably did say that. But it would be silly to disregard messages from citizens just because he doesn’t want to get tripped up on something someone in his administration sent to him. Besides, I’d imagine that the WH staff would have a different e-mail address for him.

    Anyway, it makes me feel better, like I’m actually doing something within my capabilities.


  24. The Muse says:

    Hey man, listen up. I’m serious. This serious investigation is serious and I’m just not going to have a conversation about it, serious or otherwise.

    Seriously.

    New on EWM: Kevin Bacon to play Libby in upcoming “Six Degrees of Scooter”

    It’s ‘Dumb and Dumber’ meets ‘All the President’s Men.’


  25. Tippersnore says:

    Be careful what you wish for re Rove and Cheney being gelded or resigning. God help America if we must now start enjoying the fruits of a Bush presidency!


  26. Alvord says:

    Andrew Sullivan is starting a Cheney Bunker Watch.

    http://www.andrewsullivan.com/

    Who does Cheney think he is that he will not respond to inquiries about the CIA leak or about his support of policies that allow the U.S. to torture enemy combatants?


  27. Spudge_Boy says:

    #25

    Oh, I didn’t say stop sending the bastard e-mails. I am all for pounding him with crap. Keep up the good work. Anybody that says it doesn’t help, doesn’t know what they are talking about. We make a difference everyday. We must keep going until Bush and friends are gone.


  28. Miro says:

    I understand the anxiety and angst by the press corps to talk about this. On the other hand, It’s a serious investigation, and we take it seriously.

    I just love the way he presents, by suggesting it’s a contrast, the press “angst and anxiety” [not serious? just a joke? worthless hand-wringing?] with the White House “sincere” seriousness….

    right.


  29. EasyRider says:

    We need reporters asking bush, “When will you resign?”


  30. cynicon implant says:

    I hope when this is all over that the left will retain its newfound love for the CIA and covert agents.

    It is hilarious watching the self-rightousness of liberals on this subject after they have spent the last 20+ years trying to neuter the CIA and its operations.


  31. katy says:

    i need to finish reading these posts, but #5 stopped me cold:

    A 14-THOUSAND-DOLLAR-ROUND-TRIP-PLANE-RIDE ?!?!?!


  32. Andrew says:

    #32 thanks for just dropping that comment in without any facts to back it up. way to move the dialogue along…


  33. cynicon implant says:

    Help me out here…

    Bush’s team should be put in jail for outing a covert agent, thereby hindering covert operations. But there is outrage over a covert CIA operation of “secret prisons”.

    So are covert CIA operations something we need to protect or eliminate?


  34. Gary Kleppe says:

    I hope when this is all over that the left will retain its newfound love for the CIA and covert agents.

    Here’s yet another thing the right-wing doesn’t get: you don’t have to like someone or like what she does to recognize that she has rights, and that trampling on those rights is a crime.

    If a mob boss rubs out his henchman, it’s a crime and that boss should go to jail for it. That doesn’t mean I approve of mob henchmen or what they do.


  35. cynicon implant says:

    Oh, and another thing. Where does the Washington Post get off blowing the cover on a covert CIA operation. Are they going to be investigated?


  36. The Fly-man says:

    I did a quick google on Cheney’s famous salutation to P. Leahey and it was the week of June 25 2004. Got to wonder what else went wrong that week regarding ScooterLeeky and The Plame gate thing. Thanks #28 for the link.


  37. Jesus Christ God of WAR says:

    Opinions without facts. It’s the Republican Way!

    I’m enjoying watching Rove dangle by a thread. It’s fun knowing Cheney’s ratings are right in line with Spiro T. Agnew’s. It’s great to know that the truth is finally being spoken and understood about “war” on terroism, WMD (or the lack thereof), treason, invading unarmed countries, cronyism, budget deficits, and the lack of any ethical or moral leg for Republicans to stand on.


  38. Gary Kleppe says:

    Help me out here…

    Glad to. The exit door is to your right.

    Bush’s team should be put in jail for outing a covert agent, thereby hindering covert operations. But there is outrage over a covert CIA operation of “secret prisons”.

    So are covert CIA operations something we need to protect or eliminate?

    It’s not an all-or-nothing proposition, chuckles. It depends on the particular kind of operation we’re talking about. If it involves gaining information that is of legitimate interest for the sake of security, fine. If it’s torturing foreign nationals, or destabliizing governments that aren’t sufficiently corporate-friendly, etc., then it should be eliminated with extreme prejudice.


  39. good vibes says:

    # 6— You forgot to mention Parson Carlilles (spelling?) the American backed drug dealer/terrorist who blew up a South American (Argentina I beleive) plane killing all 73 passengers. He lives in Miami now. His extradition has been denied by the U.S.. I guess we won’t “hunt terrorists every where they hide.” HYPOCRACY.


  40. Keith H. says:

    It’s a serious investigation, and we take it seriously.

    Serious as a fvckin’ heart attack, privileged boy.


  41. Kevo says:

    I want to thank Karl Rove for providing a new word to our lexicon: “Rove” n. – a person who uses undemocratic ideals to destroy a political rival (usu. Karl Rove is no more than a common rove); “Rovean” adj. – employment of undemocratic ideals such as smearing a political rival or committing treason to take the day(usu. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson weren’t the first American citizens to be troubled by this Administration’s rovean tendencies); “Rovite” n. – any apologist who would support and continue to allow such undemocratic ideals to spread like cancer through our democratic political system (usu. I wonder if Scott McClellan is a rovite); “Rove” vt. – to actively engage in undemocratic practices that damage fellow citizens of America (usu. I’ve just been roved).

    No matter how you use this new lexicon, it says the same thing: Karl Rove is UNAMERICAN in his thought and action. Let’s begin the process of allowing Mr. Rove to be remembered in perpetuity as the scalawag he is. Let the usage begin! -Kevo


  42. Kevo says:

    Correction, the last word entry should read “Rove” vi. -Kevo


  43. Keith H. says:

    And the agenda that I’m working on now is one that is important to the American people“.

    Recent comment by Junior -

    He must be working on his resignation.


  44. afterthought says:

    #40, nice post.
    I am always amazed at how binary these
    trolls are:
    1′B0 or 1′B1
    right or wrong
    black or white

    What incredible simpletons.


  45. SKdeA says:

    #20 – #12 refers to the ANNOYING posts by john deaux and buckfush, one and the same, who it would seem TP has finally banned for misusing this forum to post commercial pitches, We have all been telling him to get his own blog or buy an ad on TP, for weeks, as we are all tired of having to wade through his bullshit.
    Not exactly censorship. That individual has been encouraged to join in the conversation for quite awhile, but persisted in putting the same pitch on every thread, ad nauseum. Thanks TP!


  46. afterthought says:

    #43,

    Is this on Wiki yet?


  47. Stain on a Blue Dress says:

    The hypocrisy of the media still amazes me. We are still concerned about the outing of non-covert agent that represents no threat to the security of this country, yet they feel the need to expose the secret camps we hold captured members of Al Qaeda in, which is treason in my opinion. We need a full housecleaning of the CIA if we want this country to be safe.


  48. Darth Filibustrous says:

    David Corn is not very optimistic that Rove will be charged:

    “I know there are plenty of people–not in the White House, but elsewhere–who are still hoping that Patrick Fitzgerald has an indictment or two up his sleeve. I’ve heard all the reasoning that underpins such hopes. He’s building a case out from Scooter Libby; he’s being so meticulous so that when he indicts Karl Rove there will no questions about the case. But, as I’ve noted, during the press conference last Friday, Fitzgerald sent out the vibes of a fellow who was close to the end of the endeavor not someone about to start a new chapter. A TV commentator I know informs me today that a friend of his who is close to Fitzgerald says Fitzgerald’s done. But other reporters note that Rove’s attorney is still saying Rove is in the crosshairs. How to reconcile these reports? It could be that Rove’s lawyer, Robert Luskin, does not want to declare that Rove is in the clear for fear of aggravating Fitzgerald, who has not officially concluded that part of the investigation. But this is merely speculation.”

    http://www.bushlies.com


  49. afterthought says:

    Do trolls ever show ability to reason logically?
    I know I should ignore them, but I get curious
    as to how they process information.
    I understand the spin-points from on-high,
    but when they wander off on their own they
    seem remarkably obtuse.
    Would you ever trust one of these trolls to
    solve a complicated problem?
    Does right-wing ideology make them blind
    to reason?
    I know Ryan will suggest they are mentally ill,
    but I still wonder sometimes how people get this
    way (Yes, I read “What’s the matter with Kansas”).


  50. mr. fireplaces says:

    Keep him in the White House for now. It will be more fun when he’s forced to resign because of an indictment.


  51. Ginger says:

    Avoidance is what Bushie does best! Think about it…he cannot let go of Rove or Chaney (or, probably Rummy or Condi, either) because the man cannot stand on his own. Without Rove, he could never have become Governor of Texas, let alone President of the U.S. He has absolutely NOTHING to offer in his own “bag of tricks”. What, if anything, has the man ever accomplished through his own efforts??? He’s always, always had people around him saving his butt! His business ventures have failed consistently; he managed to skirt the Vietnam war (with poppy’s friends’ intervention); the man can’t string a sentence together without notes or a teleprompter…and doesn’t generally do well even then; still insists the word is NUKULAR; without his smearmeister (Rove) and the god of torture and terror (Cheney), he would have problems clerking in a small town discount store! He actually believes that 100% of the country voted for him; his world operates on secrecy, deceit, power mongering and great lighting! He does not have the cojones to “fire” anyone because he knows bloody good and well he’s a huge zero without them! The man would not know integrity or honesty if they bit him in the butt! Thanks for the opportunity to vent….I feel soooooo much better!


  52. Ryan Neat says:

    Stain,

    Crawl out from under the rock you live under. The CIA already verified that Plame was covert. Stop being a traitor and a treasonous propagandist and for just one day pretend you’re an american.


  53. Diane Patyjewicz says:

    Read the article by John Dean at thesmirkingchimp.com
    V. good insight into this investigation and it aint over till the wt challenged lady sings!!!


  54. adios says:

    Yo, dickwad – it’s aah-ngst – even in Texas.

    Is he now imitating Jon Stewart imitating his nasal, staccato laugh?


  55. Wayne A. Schneider says:

    #53 Any time, Ginger. Especially when you’re absolutely correct. Unlike some people we could name…


  56. Jane E. Schneider says:

    I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I have CATS that are smarter that Duhbya!


  57. foolme1ns says:

    Karl ADMITTED to the Grand Jury that he gave Valerie Plames name to Robert Novak!!!!! President Bush said he would fire anyone involved in that leak. Why is Karl Rove still at the White House? Why has President Bush lied to the American people again? There shouldn’t have to be any discussion. Rove was involved, Rove should be fired immediately, end of discussion.


  58. James Guglielmino says:

    Get real, you slimy sleaze ball. The only thing you take seriously is getting caught.
    JGug


  59. Gregor Samsa says:

    #49

    Valerie Plame’s employment status at the CIA was “classified”, and her employment at the CIA was not well known. She travelled abroad as a “consultant”. In lay man’s terms: She was a CIA operative working under cover –which means that publishing information about her being a CIA employee is a felony.

    Because she was exposed, the operation in which she was involved had to be shut down. The company that was used as a front in her work, had to be closed. The people with whom she had contacts also had their cover blown, and in many cases they are in danger of losing their lives.

    In short: Blowing up Valerie Plame’s cover was treasonous. And the people who did it should face the consequences for their actions.

    As for the secret CIA detention camps: They are illegal. The violate international treaties and laws regarding the conditions under which prisoners can be held during an armed conflict (the US is at war against terror, remember?). War prisoners may not be detained under secrecy. They cannot be detained without access to a lawyer and due process. They cannot be held indefinetely, under stressful conditions. And before you tell me that they are “terrorists”: This is not about who *they* are, but about what Americans want to be, and what they want their country to stand for.


  60. bj holland says:

    How about asking Bush if Rove should take a leave of absence until the investigation is complete, in view of the cloud of suspicion?


  61. devin says:

    agree-bush looks like he’s been on a ragoholic tear.
    he is getting to the while knuckle stage of this term-holding on for dear life-and keeping Karl, like every other bad move he has made in his life just makes it worse. The WH has ceased to be his ivory tower-the worldwide energy wave that wants him out is written all over his face.


  62. Spudge_Boy says:

    Did anybody else think about the fact that the North Vietnamese had and maybe still have secret prison camps where they held and maybe still hold American soldiers.

    This is one of the atrocities that were commited by the North Vietnamese.

    And then Bush and friends turn around and do the same thing.

    This is really scary stuff. How will the US ever expect to get sympathy from the International community when it comes to atrocities commited against us.

    Oh that’s right America only wins wars. Yeah right!


  63. Jesus Christ God of WAR says:

    Bush is in trouble.

    From: http://www.capitolhillblue.com/artman/publish/article_7617.shtml

    “A growing number of Republican leaders, party strategists and political professional now privately tell President George W. Bush that his presidency “is effectively over” unless he fires embattled White House advisor Karl Rove, apologizes to the American people for misleading the country into war and revamps his administration from top to bottom.

    “The only show of unity we have now in the Republican Party is the belief that the President has failed the party, the American people and the presidency,” says a longtime, and angry, GOP strategist.

    With the public face of support for Bush eroding daily from even diehard Republicans, the President faces mounting anger from within his party over the path that may well lead to loss of control of Congress in the 2006 midterm elections and the White House in 2008.

    “This presidency is in trouble,” says a senior White House aide. “Even worse, I don’t know if there is a way out of the trouble.”…”


  64. I-RIGHT-I says:

    So Ned, IRI and all the rest; when did a “liberal” news outlet EVER pay for an indicted criminal’s air-fair to court?

    Comment by dano347

    Public school education rears its ugly head once again. Someone who’s been indicted hasn’t been tried let alone convicted therefore is not a criminal. That is except in the world of losers who can’t find Canada on a map.

    But to answer your question; I’ve no doubt a little search would turn up something interesting. Probably one of the convicted criminals mainstream news has on staff.


  65. I-RIGHT-I says:

    This is really scary stuff. How will the US ever expect to get sympathy from the International community when it comes to atrocities commited against us.

    Oh that’s right America only wins wars. Yeah right!

    Comment by Spudge_Boy

    Expect sympathy from the EuroLosers and denizens of communist run third world shit-holes? Try not to forget that they sent us some flowers right after 911 and one week later began the “Bush Did It” campaign. Those are your people I’m talking about.


  66. I-RIGHT-I says:

    War prisoners may not be detained under secrecy. They cannot be detained without access to a lawyer and due process. They cannot be held indefinetely, under stressful conditions. And before you tell me that they are “terrorists”: This is not about who *they* are, but about what Americans want to be, and what they want their country to stand for.

    Comment by Gregor Samsa

    Bullshit George. Due process my ass.


  67. Gregor Samsa says:

    #68

    I see that is what you want to stand for: torture, illegal detentions, and secret prisons.

    Just as a reminder, most of the detainees in the Abu Ghraib prison had absolutely nothing to do with the insurgency in Iraq, but they were still being tortured while under custody: http://www.newyorker.com/fact/content/?040510fa_fact

    Why detain, and torture the innocent? Why deny legal processes to those detained? Is that the way to spread progress and freedom?

    Moreover, perpretrating barbaric acts on detainees sets the clock back 50 years at least, in terms of social progress and humanitarian treatment of prisoners of war –even during the US civil war, Confederate soldiers were tried for murdering Union prisoners.

    There is no room for torture, secret prisons, and illegal imprisonments in the 21st century.


  68. Susan says:

    I’ve stated this before and I’ll state it again..

    A “no comment” means “shit is hitting the fan”.


  69. Ryan Neat says:

    It’s always so funny when an authentic fascist and psychopath calls measured and moderate people communists. It’s also pathetic in a very homeless crazy man ranting sort of way. Don’t you have some toilets to clean MizzWrong, the director of janitorial services is gonna get mad if you don’t get back to work and stop playing with other people’s equipment!


  70. jurassicpork says:

    Just because he said “angst” doesn’t mean that he wasn’t trying to pronounce “anger.”


  71. Marie says:

    #64 Spudgeboy, You’re right again — this is another tragic comparison to the Viet Name War. When the “other” guy does it, it’s despicable; but when we do it, it’s justified.
    The guys in the WH are sick. Powerful and sick — that makes them even more dnagerous.


  72. Mama says:

    What does Fitzgerald’s investigation have to do with the President of the United States, this country’s Commander in Chief saying it’s wrong to disclose the identity of a classified CIA agent? “Anyone in my administration who discloses the name of an undercover agent, whether unintentionally, carelessly or recklessly, will be suspended indefinitely. Should the investigation prove that the disclosure was intentional, that person will be fired.” Isn’t that the standard? Why haven’t we heard something akin to that?


  73. francis says:

    Someone ask what angst means – angst is a german noun meaning FEAR. That’s all.
    That is like saying I am afraid or fear, and hidding this behind a foreign word that most people don’t know.
    Cute trick, but that is all he has ever had tricks and spin and lies.


  74. Mark Marco says:

    Cute trick? Ya, nobody knows what angst means cuz that’s way to sophisticated for simple ‘Mericans….you lefties are approaching self-parody…which is a lot of fun for me….


  75. the syntax of things » Blog Archive » two-thirty-five says:

    [...] under investigation: “hot” karl rove, tom delay and jack abramoff, bob ney, kenneth tomlinson (resigned), dana rohrabacher*, stephen hadley, bill frist [...]



Jump to Top

About Think Progress | Contact Us | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy (off-site) | RSS | Donate
© 2005-2009 Center for American Progress Action Fund
View Most Popular

Advertisement

What We're About

Featured

image
Subscribe to the Progress Report



imageTopic Cloud


Visit Our Affiliated Sites

image image
Reports


Got a hot tip?
Have a hot news tip? We'd love to hear from you. Use the form below to send us the latest.

Name:
Email:
Tip:
(required)


imageArchives


imageBlog Roll