[J_Bravo]

Well, I think the problem is that it really doesn't matter whether or not Wilson is partisan. Everyone knows he's partisan. The question is whether or not Wilson's wife was in fact a CIO operative who's purpose was to investigate WMD. If so, was she a handler or an agent herself? If so, would leaking her name to the press have killed any ongoing operations or put her, or people on her staff, in danger.

Now, that's a short list. If this is a minor thing and she's just a sociallite with no substantial influence or history, then this is no big deal. It doesn't matter.

If however she was high-level and her name meant something, leaking her name is a felony. I suppose that's why one unnamed Senior White House official is fingering not one, but two, 'top-level' White House officials.

Stuff like this is bad news. One thing I do know, THANK GOD the Independent Council law no longer exists.

[Republican Red]

From what I have read, Ms. Plame was an analyst at Langley, not a foreign operative.

[cyncooper]

I wouldn't mind an independent counsel, but one isn't needed. Either way, this administration has done nothing wrong and I am appalled at those who lap up lib spin so eagerly and easily.

[olorin]

"Whoever, as a result of having authorized access to classified information, learns the identity of a covert agent and intentionally discloses any information identifying such covert agent to any individual not authorized to receive classified information, knowing that the information disclosed so identifies such covert agent and that the United States is taking affirmative measures to conceal such agent's intelligence relationship to the United States, shall be fined under Title 18 or imprisoned not more than five years or both." 50 U.S.C. § 421.