All these President's men leaked CIA agent's name

BY JAMES GORDON MEEK
NEWS WASHINGTON BUREAU

WASHINGTON - Any staffer proven to have leaked CIA officer Valerie Plame's identity "would no longer be in this administration," former White House spokesman Scott McClellan promised in September 2003.

But three years later, President Bush hasn't sacked anyone, even though the perjury trial of Lewis (Scooter) Libby - which resumes today - shows at least 10 other top officials blabbed about the spy whose job as a covert agent was classified as an official government secret.

Vice President Cheney

When Libby reminded his boss the vice president that he learned about Plame from him, Cheney tilted his head quizzically and said, "From me?"

Karl Rove

Bush's top political mastermind told reporters Robert Novak and Matt Cooper about Plame.

Richard Armitage

The former deputy secretary of state gossiped about Plame to Novak, and marveled to Watergate icon Bob Woodward, "How about that?"

Ari Fleischer

Bush's former spokesman got immunity before admitting he told reporters John Dickerson and David Gregory about Plame. Reporter Walter Pincus said Fleischer told him about her, too.

Dan Bartlett

Fleischer claimed Bush's counselor blurted out to him on Air Force One in July 2003 that Plame "worked at the CIA."

Robert Grenier

The top CIA official overseeing Iraq operations got nervous over Libby's pestering and later "felt guilty" about telling Cheney's chief of staff about Plame.

Bill Harlow

The CIA spokesman told Cheney flack Cathie Martin.

Cathie Martin

She told Cheney and Libby about Plame.

Marc Grossman

The No. 3 at the State Department also told Libby about Plame.

Craig Schmall

Cheney's CIA daily briefer discussed Plame with Libby.

Originally published on February 20, 2007

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