Polls & Research

Americans Trace CIA Leak to White House

(Angus Reid Global Scan) - Many adults in the United States are paying attention to the recent controversy over the possible leak of an undercover Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) officer's identity, according to a poll by CBS News. Only 23 per cent of respondents have heard or read nothing about the special investigation.

In July, Newsweek quoted Robert Luskin—Karl Rove's lawyer—as saying the White House deputy chief of staff discussed the identity of CIA operative Valerie Plame with Time reporter Matthew Cooper. In the U.S., the deliberate exposure of a covert agent is a criminal offence. Commentator Robert Novak was the first to disclose Plame's identity in a July 2003 column.

On Jul. 13, U.S. president George W. Bush referred to the incident, saying, "I would like this to end as quickly as possible so we know the facts, and if someone committed a crime, they will no longer work in my administration." 52 per cent of respondents think someone in the Bush administration was responsible for leaking the CIA officer's identity to reporters.

New York Times reporter Judith Miller has been in jail since Jul. 7, after being charged with contempt of court for refusing to appear before the federal grand jury investigating the CIA leak. While Miller did not actually write a story about the subject, she has refused to reveal her confidential sources.

On Aug. 1, Bush defended Rove, declaring, "Karl's got my complete confidence. He's a valuable member of my team." 55 per cent of respondents believe members of the Bush administration are mostly telling the truth but are hiding something in their statements about the possible leak of Plame's identity.

Polling Data

How much have you heard or read about the special investigation into the possible leak of an undercover Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) officer's identity to reporters in 2003?

Do you think someone in the Bush administration was responsible for leaking the CIA officer's identity to reporters, or not?

In their statements about the possible leak of the CIA officer's identity, do you think members of the Bush Administration are telling the entire truth, are mostly telling the truth but are hiding something, or are mostly lying?