This spin does not help him

[Johonny]

Anyone that has ever had a clearance knows that you can not leak information. Remember leaking can be a two way exchange. If you are talking to a reporter and they mention a piece of information that is classified information you can not comment on it. Just because it's been leak to the press does not make it unclassified. You can not comment EVER on classified information. This lesson is taught to any person on day one of getting any clearance. Rove violated his clearance statis no matter which way the information had been exchanged. Had he been in any other government agency he would have been stripped of his clearance by now and more than likely face a fine.

[bryant69]

1. There are two issues

One is the legal issue - which doesn't look very good for Rove. The second is the public relations issue- how will this crime play with the American people.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[jedicord]

2. Exactly what I was thinking.

Working in HR, if someone were to mention that they had heard (for instance) that someone was stealing from the company, even if I knew that to be true, I would be immediately fired for confirming this.

[Johonny]

3. exactly

Another main point. If you have clearance and hear that someone has classified information or worse have been approached by someone to try to get classified information. It is your responsibility to report this as soon as possible. His denial of the existance of the event is also a clear violation of his clearance. These points are extremely important for the Dems to stress. There is no excuse for his actions or denial. Both are violation of the nations trust and either would call for his clearance to be removed. The fact his president has not done so tells you all you need to know about his ethics.