MSNBC Analyst Says Cooper Documents Reveal Karl Rove as Source in Plame Case

Editori and Publisher ^ | July 1, 2005 | E&P Staff

[M. Dodge Thomas]

So, if that's the situation - then, I don't understand how and why this whole investigation got started, if leaking her name was in fact NOT a crime..."

Lying to a federal investigator is a felony in and of itself - even if the investigation determines that no other crime as been committed, and irrespective of whether someone was under oath when the statements were made - and it's quite possible that one or more individuals at the White House (where Fitzgerald apparently believes the leaks originated) may have attempted to mislead or stall what they saw as unimportant or misguided investigation into a leak they regarded as " business as unusual".

The problem is that once such an investigation gets rolling, and prosecutors start employing such leverage to discover the identities of others involved, those threatened with indictment for misleading investigators are under intense pressure to provide information in trade for leniency, and may start offering up knowledge of other questionable activities by those around them.

And if there individuals, in turn, start to mislead investigators... well... no one knows where things are headed.

Federal prosecutors aren't shy about turning the screws in such cases and Fitzgerald mastered the technique during his tenure investigating political corruption cases in Illinois - cases where apparently minor individual misbehavior (for example taking a bribe to pass an unqualified applicant taking a driving test) eventually lead into the indictment and conviction of dozens individuals and finally to the indictment of the Governor himself.

The point is not that something of this sort is necessarily happening here, but rather that despite the fact that we have not seen any indictments to date, or that to outsiders the case appears to have stalled, the case is possibly still alive, and even growing, And that Fitzgerald's continued request for testimony and other evidence from reporters does not mean that it this point it’s his only, for even his major, means of pursuing the case.

[stinkerpot65]

Or Martha Stewart, who went to prison for lying about a crime that never happened. If a prosecutor wants you in prison, you might very well go, guilty or not.

[CyberAnt]

Well .. if Rove was the kind of person you're describing .. that character would be 180 degrees out of phase with the President. So .. I don't believe Rove did any of the "IF's" you've listed.

And .. remember too .. Chuck Colson was republican and the democrats were in power. The DEMOCRATS ARE NOT IN POWER NOW!! It's a new ballgame.

[LongsforReagan]

Laurence O Donnel is like Elanor Clift. That I agree with. But dont refer to him as "male".

Thanks!

[Just A Nobody]

I love the way you think!!!

[summer]

Thanks for your posts on this thread. I have read them all. I guess we will have to wait and see what happens next.

BTW, here is that same MSNBC analyst bragging on the Huffington Whatever about his claim:

ALSO POSTED BELOW IN FULL:

07.02.2005 Lawrence O'Donnell

Rove Blew CIA Agent's Cover

I revealed in yesterday's taping of the McLaughlin Group that Time magazine's emails will reveal that Karl Rove was Matt Cooper's source. I have known this for months but didn't want to say it at a time that would risk me getting dragged into the grand jury.

McLaughlin is seen in some markets on Friday night, so some websites have picked it up, including Drudge, but I don't expect it to have much impact because McLaughlin is not considered a news show and it will be pre-empted in the big markets on Sunday because of tennis.

Since I revealed the big scoop, I have had it reconfirmed by yet another highly authoritative source. Too many people know this. It should break wide open this week. I know Newsweek is working on an 'It's Rove!' story and will probably break it tomorrow.

Posted at 11:40 AM | email this post to a friend | permalink | comments author bio

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I really have no idea how this will all turn out or be explained, or what exactly happened here. But, thanks again for your posts. I appreciate it.

[MinuteGal]

If it IS Rove, and I doubt if it is, or if it's anyone else, he/she will be in deep ethical doo-doo for not coming forward while expensive time and effort has been ongoing in the investigation. Obstruction of justice???

Oh brother, I need an Exedrin.

Leni

[summer]

I am not willing to even speculate on that, MinuteGal. After all, this is politics we're talking about here! Who knows what's erally what and who's really who? It's like a sidewalk game of three-game monty!!!

[summer]

I am not willing to even speculate on that, MinuteGal. After all, this is politics we're talking about here! Who knows what's erally what and who's really who? It's like a sidewalk game of three-card monty!!!

[summer]

I am not willing to even speculate on that, MinuteGal. After all, this is politics we're talking about here! Who knows what's really what and who's really who? It's like a sidewalk game of three-card monty!!!

[daviscupper]

Eleanor is the masculine one.

Eleanor is the calm one.

[summer]

And sorry for the triple post there - the 3rd one was correct! (This keyboard gets stuck sometimes.)

[summer]

I should have added "TV PUNDITS" to that.

So, who knows? Who knows what's really going on when tv pundits and politics are involved?? That political analyst guy can get on tv and say whatever he wants -- and even the MSM can print whatever it wants. And yet -- does that make it all true? I would say not.

I also think Karl Rove is a pretty smart guy, so whatever happened -- in reality -- is not likely to make him look like a jerk, since that's not what he happens to be. Just my two cents...

[Stellar Dendrite]

"I sure hope it wasn't Rove. That would be the democrats' wet dream."

Lawrence O'Donnell is a CREEPY LIAR, I wouldn't even give his accusation a second thought. They tried this crap with Rove already.......

[Stellar Dendrite]

"O'Donnall is a lying sack of guano!"

No...O'Donnell is a CREEPY LIAR!!!! (hope you saw the segment where he kept calling one of the swift boat vets that)

[Dog Gone]

A triple post at FR is very uncommon.

When we inaugurate the Free Republic Hall of Fame, there might be a special room dedicated to the exclusive club of triple posters.

[skinkinthegrass]

That would be the democrats' wet dream.

well...It IS the McLaughlin Group, you can bet it is a Liberals' "wet dream".

[Tiger Smack]

Rove WASN't involved! do you think for 10 seconds that Time Inc would protect Karl Rove, The "Bush Brain"? Or that Rove would talk to Time to out a CIA official? even Novak said it wasn't anyone in the Bush Administration that leaked her name. O'Donnall is a lying sack of guano!

but if it is true then the democrats and the media will run this story down the publics throat 24/7 and make it a scandal and the democrats will try to get committess to look into it and it will be such a circus that Rove would HAVE to step down

[Perdogg]

Lawrence O'Donnell + Elenor Clift = Helen Thomas

[BigSkyFreeper]

Lying to a federal investigator is a felony in and of itself...

This is true, I hadn't thought of that, course I hadn't had my first cup of coffee when I first posted in the thread. LOL Your lengthy reply certainly clears the air. Thanks for that lengthy reply!