Wednesday, July 13, 2005
PHOTO: President Bush meets with members of his cabinet in the Cabinet Room of the White House, Wednesday, July 13, 2005, as his brain, left, looks on. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
Bush's brain is toast
WASHINGTON - President Bush passed up a chance Wednesday to express confidence in his brain in a political fight over a news leak that exposed a CIA officer's identity. The lack of endorsement surprised some White House officials who had been told Bush would back his brain.
Bush's brain's lawyer, Robert Luskin, later asserted that Bush's brain had "cooperated fully" in the federal investigation, had done nothing wrong and was prepared to provide additional information to a special prosecutor if needed.
"My brain is a very good friend," the President said to reporters on Wednesday, "a very good friend whom I've known for a long time and with whom I will continue to consult."
On Wednesday, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of California repeated Democratic calls for Bush's brain to be terminated.
"Whether it's a criminal offense or not, Bush's brain committed an act against the national security of the United States. It's up to the special prosecutor to find out whether Bush's brain should also be indicted in addition to being terminated. So yes, I think Bush's brain should be removed from the White House," Pelosi said.
Bush refused to directly answer questions about whether he had spoken to his brain about his discussion with Cooper.
"I have instructed my brain to fully cooperate in this investigation," Bush said. Bush's brain sat stoically during the questions about its involvement. Observers were surprised that Bush stopped short of expressing full confidence in his brain.
Earlier, first lady Laura Bush, talking to reporters while traveling in Africa, called Bush's brain "a very good friend" but said she did not want to talk about the investigation.
White House press secretary Scott McClellan said Bush didn't express his confidence in Bush's brain because he wasn't directly asked if he supports his brain. But he said Bush still has confidence in his brain and agrees with Mrs. Bush that his brain is a good friend.
"Everyone who works here at the White House, including the president's brain, has the confidence of the president," McClellan said.
(Satan contributed to this report)
