Jonathan Alter

Bush was desperate to keep the Times from running this important story - which the paper had already inexplicably held read more

Bush was desperate to keep the Times from running this important story - which the paper had already inexplicably held for a year - because he knew that it would reveal him as a law-breaker. He insists he had 'legal authority derived from the Constitution and congressional resolution authorizing force.' But the Constitution explicitly requires the president to obey the law. And the post 9/11 congressional resolution authorizing 'all necessary force' in fighting terrorism was made in clear reference to military intervention. It did not scrap the Constitution and allow the president to do whatever he pleased in any area in the name of fighting terrorism.

The Times will not comment on the meeting, but one can only imagine the president?s desperation. The problem was not read more

The Times will not comment on the meeting, but one can only imagine the president?s desperation. The problem was not that the disclosures would compromise national security, as Bush claimed at his press conference. ...No, Bush was desperate to keep the Times from running this important story?which the paper had already inexplicably held for a year?because he knew that it would reveal him as a law-breaker.