Leak-tantrum-leak

Atrios points out this delightfully absurd story from The Philadelphia Inquirer:

Concerned about the appearance of disarray and feuding within his administration as well as growing resistance to his policies in Iraq, President Bush — living up to his recent declaration that he is in charge — told his top officials to "stop the leaks" to the media, or else.

News of Bush's order leaked almost immediately.

Bush told his senior aides Tuesday that he "didn't want to see any stories" quoting unnamed administration officials in the media anymore, and that if he did, there would be consequences, said a senior administration official who asked that his name not be used.

Writers Joseph Galloway and James Kuhnhenn also provide some insight into the president's petulant attempts at persuasion:

Bush's attempt to assert himself extends beyond the executive branch. Late Tuesday, in a brief, brusque arm-twisting session with nine senators, the President made it clear that he was not there to answer questions or debate the merits of his $87 billion Iraq and Afghanistan aid package. He demanded that the aid to Iraq be in the form of grants, not loans, as some of the senators have urged. …

At one point, as he discussed the question of providing some of the money as a loan, Bush slammed his hand down on the table and said: "This is bad policy."

When [Sen. Susan] Collins tried to ask a question, the President replied: "I'm not here to debate it."

One participant told The Inquirer that … it was clear he was not there to engage in any give-and-take.

Nevertheless, Bush failed to sway any of the pro-loan Republicans.

Oh, and please note how it is we come to be reading about Bush's little tantrum in the paper — another leak. Call it the leak-tantrum-leak cycle.