was Plame a covert CIA agent?
Unfortunately, logic says that it has been established that she was covert. Otherwise, how could Fitzgerald continue investigating a crime that doesn't exist. Can you imagine the outcry if, on October 29th, after two years of investigating, its announced that no crime was committed because Plame was not covert. I can't imagine that happening. The Democrats have bet their entire wad that Plame was covert.
Fitzgerald doesn't have to investigate the disclosure of Plame's identity. He can investigate whether someone tried to obstruct justice in the course of his investigation.