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Analysis

First pledges, now charges

President Bush vowed a new era of integrity, but recent troubles mirror those he upbraided the Clinton White House for.

By BILL ADAIR
Published October 29, 2005

WASHINGTON - Five years ago, with the impeachment of President Clinton fresh in the nation's mind, George W. Bush and Dick Cheney campaigned on a platform "to restore honor and integrity" to the White House.

"A leader upholds the dignity and honor of his office," Bush said in an October 2000 campaign speech. "In my administration, we will ask not only what is legal, but also what is right; not just what the lawyers allow, but what the public deserves."

Now, a top White House aide, I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, Cheney's chief of staff, is accused of the same crimes that Clinton was - lying to a grand jury and obstruction of justice. Libby also faces charges of lying to federal investigators. Instead of talking about his integrity, White House officials are reminding the nation that Libby is innocent until proven guilty.

It has been a sharp turn.

At first glance, it would seem that Libby was one step removed from the Oval Office. But like some other senior staffers, Libby also holds the title of assistant to the president, and he has been a high-powered member of the administration's tightly run West Wing team. The charges themselves arise out of a significant matter of public policy: the unmasking of a secret agent in the CIA. Libby was not charged with the crime of revealing a secret agent's identity, but he is accused of lying to federal agents and a grand jury that was investigating that crime.

"Over the last year or two, the perception has developed and grown that the Republicans are ethically challenged," said Stuart Rothenberg, a political analyst. "That very much violates the words and the spirit of their campaign pledges."

The indictment of Libby - and the fact that Karl Rove, Bush's chief political adviser, may still be under a cloud in the same investigation - arrived at the White House at a difficult time and has driven the Bush administration to its lowest point.

The president only recently weathered sharp criticism about his response to Hurricane Katrina. There is no end in sight to the Iraq war, and this week, Bush withdrew the Supreme Court nomination of his aide Harriet Miers because of harsh attacks from members of his own party.

In addition, the Republicans who run Congress are under fire for other alleged ethical lapses. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist is under investigation because of a stock sale. Rep. Tom DeLay - who had called on Clinton to resign "over his lying, covering up and trying to destroy people" - was forced to step down as House majority leader after being indicted on charges of political money laundering and conspiring to steer corporate donations to state political campaigns.

On Friday, Democrats pounced on the developments.

"The president's pledge to uphold the law and bring dignity and respect to the White House has been eviscerated by a culture of corruption, greed and cronyism," said Rep. Robert Wexler, D-Boca Raton.

But Craig Crawford, a political analyst for MSNBC and Congressional Quarterly, said Friday's news was not as bad as it could have been for the Bush administration because Rove was not indicted.

"It's easy for the White House to make it all about Libby," he said, noting that the Reagan administration used the same strategy in the Iran-Contra scandal, putting the blame on Oliver North.

Republican pollster Neil Newhouse said it was better to have the indictment now than a year from now, when members of Congress are running for re-election.

He said Bush is not implicated in the CIA leak charges, so there will be less political damage.

"In every administration, there are people who screw up and do things they shouldn't do," said Newhouse. "But Americans still have a ton of respect for George Bush and believe he is honest."

Newhouse said he thinks Bush will quickly regain his footing.

"You clearly have a White House now that will be very focused on turning the corner, putting this behind them and looking for issues that will reconnect with the American people," he said.

Still, Bush is in a predicament that seemed unlikely five years ago, when he and Cheney were criticizing the misdeeds of the Clinton administration.

Said Crawford, "The political fallout is real and serious (for the Bush administration) because it makes a sham of so many of their campaign promises about restoring integrity to the White House."

Before Bush departed the White House on Friday afternoon to spend the weekend at Camp David, he stopped on the lawn and read a statement. "While we're all saddened by today's news, we remain wholly focused on the many issues and opportunities facing this country," he said. "I got a job to do, and so do the people who work in the White House. We got a job to protect the American people, and that's what we'll continue working hard to do."

As Bush turned and walked away, a reporter shouted, "Are you embarrassed by these charges?"

Bush did not reply.

Washington Bureau Chief Bill Adair can be reached at 202 463-0575 or adair@sptimes.com

[Last modified October 29, 2005, 01:46:07]