The Washington Post is reporting that Joe Lieberman wants to revive the independent counsel statute in light of allegations that the White House leaked a covert operative's name. Is this just posturing for press? Hard to say, but certainly entertaining (entertaining in a way that only treasonous behavior on the part of White House officials can be.... I think I feel nauseous.) McCain rolls over; I'm so disappointed in John McCain's behavior since the Bushies smeared him in 2000.

Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman (Conn.), the ranking Democrat on the Governmental Affairs Committee, said he will introduce legislation to revive the independent counsel statute, which expired. Lieberman said White House Chief of Staff Andrew H. Card Jr. should direct all White House personnel to keep all records that could be related to the Justice inquiry.

Asked if he thought an outside counsel should be appointed to investigate the leak, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) said he believed that Ashcroft would appoint "career professionals in the Justice Department to examine the situation" and that it would be a "thorough investigation."

Howard Dean has observed quite cogently in his statements (1, 2) denouncing this perfidy that the people who leaked know who they are and should resign.

It is time – once and for all – for those who have broken the law and jeopardized national security concerns to resign and face the legal consequences for their actions. As I said in July, and as I reiterated two days ago, there is no need to wait for investigations into the matter – although an independent investigation is clearly in order. These people know who they are, and apparently others within the administration know who they are.

"But it is you, Mr. President, who should take the lead in uncovering who in your Administration is so badly serving you and the nation. These people are, as you noted at the swearing-in ceremony, your "representatives." You should reconsider your reported reluctance to ask your staff members whether they had a role in this affair. The American people must be reassured that their President will not tolerate actions that undermine the public’s faith in their government.