Bush seems to think a free press, civil rights a threat to democracy

Bush Seeks to Use Media Leaks to His Advantage

Attack on Newspapers Continues as Some Democrats Accuse White House of Trying to Divert Attention

By Charles Babington and Michael Abramowitz
Washington Post Staff Writers
Thursday, June 29, 2006; Page A11

President Bush rallied Republicans with another attack on the media last night, in remarks that highlighted efforts at the White House and on Capitol Hill to gain momentum from recent disclosures about classified programs to fight terrorism.

Senior administration officials say the president was outraged by articles in the New York Times and other newspapers about a surveillance program in which the U.S. government has tapped international banking records for information about terrorist financing. But his comments at a Republican fundraiser in a St. Louis suburb yesterday, combined with new moves by GOP congressional leaders, showed how both are working to fan public anger and reap gains from the controversy during a midterm election year in which polls show they are running against stiff headwinds.

Democrats, for their part, denounced Republicans for trying to divert attention from issues such as the Iraq war and high gasoline prices, and some terrorism experts said the White House is exaggerating the damage.

Republican House leaders introduced a resolution yesterday condemning leakers and calling on the media and others to safeguard classified programs. For the second time this week -- at an event on behalf of Sen. James M. Talent (R-Mo.) -- Bush attacked newspapers for disclosures he said make it harder for his administration to thwart terrorists.

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http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/06/28/AR2006062802180.html