Rove isn't an elected official. If he is guilty of this crime, he can resign, and I just don't see much long-term damage being done.
Can he PROVE that Karl Rove was the source?
It doesn't sound like anyone knows what the crime currently under investigation is. It appears that the initial leak may not be the focus now, but potentially perjury during the grand jury testimony. If Rove signed a waiver before and Cooper wanted to hear something directly from Rove (or other sources), that should not be a big deal in, and of, itself.
Assuming Rove did something wrong (which still seems unlikely), I think it is hard to say he can resign and that is the end. We know the left will turn this into some grand conspiracy on the Bush administration and try to link Bush (just as Norah O'Donnell was blabbing about on MSNBC yesterday).
I am guessing Rove did nothing wrong. Who knows? But I do know I will be much happier when this is all over...and hopefully soon.
A lot of people in D.C knew who Valerie Plame worked at the CIA, they were a known couple that went to a lot of D.C cocktail parties.
She wasn't a covert agent.
I don't see what was wrong with pointing out that Wilson's wife was the one that sent Wilson on the trip to Africa.
It's only a crime is someone knowingly outs an undercover operative.
1st) she wasn't undercover
2nd) since she wasn't undercover, it's impossible for her to be outed