Right-wing Rationalization

Scooter Libby is being indicted for leaking information. He had to resign for this indictment. He says that Bush approved the leaks. Bush confirmed that he approved the leaks.

Right-wingers are stepping forward to defend Bush. They suggest that since he is president, he can declassify anything. If they truly believe this, I must ask if they subscribe to Richard Nixon's belief that "When the President does it, that means that it is not illegal" (Richard M. Nixon on The Nation, 1977).

For the sake of argument, let's say Bush is within his rights to declassify information and authorize the leaking of information. Why didn't he simply step forward and absolve Libby?

According to Bush, he was within the law to authorize these leaks. He asked Cheney to have the info leaked. Cheney asked Libby. Why is Libby on trial if he did nothing wrong? Furthermore, why didn't Bush step forward and bail Libby out for following orders?

And why did Bush say on the record two years ago that he did not authorize leaks and did not know of anyone within his adminstration that would leak information? Was he lying then or lying now?

If Bush is legally able to release classified information, why leak it selectively through other parties instead of simply declassifying the info? Why the clandestine nature of the information getting out?

If this was designed to smear Joe Wilson, why not say that? And why go to the trouble of smearing him; why not simply release the intelligence to prove him wrong (if in fact he was wrong or simply "lying" as some right-wingers have suggested)?