It's interesting that nowhere in the indictment does the Special Prosecutor even claim that Libby knew Plame's employment was classified. If he didn't what's his motive to deliberately lie about discussing her with reporters?
That's what I can't figure out. It's like Fitz is saying that Libby "thought" (rightly or wrongly) Plame was classified and so actual status does not matter. I don't understand what Fitz would be claiming the motive is otherwise besides releasing classified info. But then Fitz never charges anyone with releasing classified info. How is Fitz going to show Libby thought she was classified? And the 'throwing dirt in the umpire's eyes does not seem to be a good reason not to have an answer.
Even if her job was classified, should it have been? It is easy to classify every person and every job to be safe. One job I had, they discouraged us from putting 'classifed' on every document for fear it would render the status meaningless for all documents.
Political intrigue, and/or job preservtion.
On the political angle, if the story comes out that the "Bush WH" was leaking to manipulate public perception aghainst Wilson, it plays against the WH.
On the job preservation angle, the WH has a reputation for trying to be "tight," and if he was leaking, then perhaps the conduct is outside the boundary of "acceptable."
There could also be a "get the media in trouble, just for fun" angle. Libby's testimony to investigators would, if believed, cast blame on leaking solely to reporters.