Bush Ducks Questions On Leak
No Comment On Calls For Apology, Staff Shakeup
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Play CBS Video Video Questions Follow Bush South There was no rest for President Bush upon leaving Washington. In Argentina he faced tough questions about the CIA leak scandal and American policy there. John Roberts reports with Gloria Borger.
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Video Bush Grilled On CIA Leak Web Exclusive: CBS News' Thalia Assuras reports on President Bush's handling of questions concerning Karl Rove and other White House woes.
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Video Summit In Shadow Of D.C. Woes President Bush is in Argentina for a two-day economic summit, but the ongoing CIA leak case is casting a shadow over the meetings. Thalia Assuras reports.
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President Bush gestures as he speaks with the press in Mar del Plata, Argentina, November 4, 2005. (Getty Images/Jim Watson)
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I. Lewis 'Scooter' Libby leaves the U.S. District Court in Washington, Thursday, Nov. 3, 2005, after pleading not guilty to charges in the CIA leak case. (Getty Images/Mark Wilson)
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Interactive The Leak People and events surrounding the leak of a CIA officer's name.
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Interactive Bush Presidency The president's agenda, plus facts, figures, major events and key personalities.
"We're going through a very serious investigation," Mr. Bush told reporters at the America's Summit in Argentina. "I have told you before that I'm not going to discuss the investigation until it's completed. My obligation is to set an agenda and I have done that."
He also declined to say whether Karl Rove, his closest adviser on political matters, should remain in his job. Rove remains under investigation.
Asked about whether he would replace key members of his administration, as suggested by prominent Republicans, Mr. Bush said, "Again, you're trying to get me to comment on an investigation. I'm not going to do that."
Mr. Bush also deflected questions about public opinion surveys which show his credibility in steep decline. He said the way a president establishes credibility with people is to push "an agenda that relates to their lives."
Only 35 percent of Americans in this week's CBS News poll said they approve of the job Mr. Bush is doing, his lowest rating ever.
Mr. Bush's remarks came a day after Vice President Dick Cheney's former chief of staff pleaded not guilty to five criminal counts in the leak case.
Lewis "Scooter" Libby was charged with lying to investigators about leaking the identity of covert CIA operative Valerie Plame, wife of Bush administration critic Joseph Wilson.
Bush administration officials including the vice president could be summoned to testify in Libby's trial.
Senate Democratic leaders accused the White House on Thursday of continuing to "stonewall" on the case and demanded the administration clean house, reports CBS News correspondent Bob Fuss.
The Democrats noted that Cheney hasn't apologized for the actions of his chief of staff and promoted two other staffers who have been linked to the CIA leak affair as well.
©MMV, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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