Ben Affleck: Bush Can Be Hung for 'Leaks' in Plamegate

Actor Ben Affleck suggested this weekend on 'Real Time with Bill Maher' that President Bush “probably leaked” Valerie Plame's name and so “if he did, you can be hung for that! That's treason!”

Affleck Gets Even More Political

The would be politician and Democrat went through this exchange according to News Busters that gives a brief and rough transcript on how Mr. Affleck came to this conclusion.

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The panel guests were Senator Joe Biden (D-DE) who was quite humorous as he let loose with some funny four-quotes.  Bill Sammon of the Washington Examiner was on as well.

Here's the exchange:

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Bill Sammon, Washington Examiner: “A lot of critics are conflating the two and are saying that because Bush disclosed this piece of information, they're implying that Bush leaked the name.”

Ben Affleck: “He probably also leaked the name. There's just no proof of that.”

Sammon: “Even the prosecutor, even Fitzgerald is saying Bush didn't leak the name. So let's be clear, Bush didn't leak Valerie Plame's name -- not that we know of.”

Affleck: “Because if he did, you can be hung for that! That's treason!”

Bill Maher: “That is treason.”

Affleck: “You could be killed. That's not a joking around Tom DeLay 'I'll do a year, I bribed the state officials with corporate money.' That's like they shoot you in the battlefield for doing that. Don't you think we should find out who leaked that name?”

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Affleck did not come off well during the exchange or the rest of the program.   

He seemed to be trying way too hard to look like the smartest guy on the panel.  It didn't work well, but his quote made a forgettable 'Real Time' grab some headlines.

--Josh Hart