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

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

[summer]

NEW YORK -- Now that Time Inc. has turned over documents to federal court, presumably revealing who its reporter, Matt Cooper, identified as his source in the Valerie Plame/CIA case, speculation runs rampant on the name of that source, and what might happen to him or her. Tonight, on the syndicated McLaughlin Group political talk show, Lawrence O'Donnell, senior MSNBC political analyst, claimed to know that name--and it is, according to him, top White House mastermind Karl Rove.

Here is the transcript of O'Donnell's remarks:

"What we're going to go to now in the next stage, when Matt Cooper's e-mails, within Time Magazine, are handed over to the grand jury, the ultimate revelation, probably within the week of who his source is.

"And I know I'm going to get pulled into the grand jury for saying this but the source of...for Matt Cooper was Karl Rove, and that will be revealed in this document dump that Time magazine's going to do with the grand jury."

Other panelists then joined in discussing whether, if true, this would suggest a perjury rap for Rove, if he told the grand jury he did not leak to Cooper. ...

[summer]

BTW, here's how this is playing on a conservative blog, captain's quarters:

Creepy Liar Strikes Again - July 2, 2005:

...If it turns out to be Rove, we'll know soon enough when Time makes the documents public. However, I doubt that O'Donnell has a clue as to what those documents really say and what they can prove.

Basically, when Lawrence O'Donnell says Good morning, I'd still check the windows for the current weather.

[summer]

And from conservative blog, instapundit:

I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS TRUE OR NOT, but I predict that if it is, the very people who have been saying there was no crime committed will change their tune again:

"Now that Time Inc. has turned over documents to federal court, presumably revealing who its reporter, Matt Cooper, identified as his source in the Valerie Plame/CIA case, speculation runs rampant on the name of that source, and what might happen to him or her. Tonight, on the syndicated McLaughlin Group political talk show, Lawrence O'Donnell, senior MSNBC political analyst, claimed to know that name--and it is, according to him, top White House mastermind Karl Rove."

Stay tuned. Perhaps those who charged that all these subpoenas were actually part of a cover-up effort may change their tune, too . . . .

UPDATE: Many people have doubts about the reliability of Lawrence O'Donnell as a source. We'll find out, I suppose. Meanwhile, Rand Simberg emails:

"Of course, the people who change their minds about a crime being committed in the Plame case will be perfectly consistent. They are simply changing their position in the light of new information, since everything Karl Rove does is, almost by definition, a crime."

Excellent point.

[Graymatter]

O'Donnell? I thought they carted him away after that encounter with O'Neill, about Unfit To Command.

[cyncooper]

From the Newsweek excerpt you posted:

But in an interview with NEWSWEEK, Rove's lawyer, Robert Luskin, confirmed that Rove had been interviewed by Cooper for the article. It is unclear, however, what passed between Cooper and Rove.

It's clear. Rove did speak to Cooper (and other reporters) after the Novak article. This was all established long long ago.

[Blackirish]

BWAHHAHAAHA>...
You pathetic liberals. You have fallen into my trap!!!

The real DSM's are safe with me you have the poisoned phonies.

Valerie is actually my dark mistress and will expose you all.

Even now your little band of DUmmies have overconfidently been lured into a trap by the dim witted stooge Lawrence O'Donnell....where my Black Star Legion will destroy them all!!!!!! BWHAHAHAHAHAHA

[balch3]

The White House should just declare Executive Priviledge and tell the investigators and the MSM media to F* off. Game over. There's a war on and the President shouldn't have to be dealing with a politically motivated witch hunt. Sure the pundits will scream about it, but they hate us anyway.

[summer]

I'm glad you mentioned the fact there's a war on -- because I hope every person reading this thread will remember our troops this weekend, and send these brave men and women a sincere message of thanks by CLICKING HERE.

[MinuteGal]

Thanks for the link and all your work for FR readers, Summer.

You're a great American!

Have a bang-up Fourth.

Leni

[summer]

Thanks, Leni. You have a great Independence Day, too. :)

PS And, remember, lurkers, this is a terrific thread to bookmark.

[KStorm]

hope that someone leaked this to old Larry and he gets burned so bad he can never come back, I doubt that it was Rove who leaked this one, the biggies don't usually touch this stuff, lets wait and see, I think old Larry is about to get burned big time, I just love this WH
:
The media deserves it. ALL OF IT.

[TheGeezer]

Rove, in fact, isn't "in" the Bush Administration.

He's White House deputy chief of staff in charge of policy.

He was not "in" the White House staff when the Plame foolishness started.

[jveritas]

These insanely delusional left wing morons have had over a million wet dreams in the last 4 1/2 years and they all crushed at the walls of the very bitter (for them) facts and reality. This wet dream will be no different.

[RDangerfield]

RE: cyncooper: But in an interview with NEWSWEEK, Rove's lawyer, Robert Luskin, confirmed that Rove had been interviewed by Cooper for the article. It is unclear, however, what passed between Cooper and Rove.

It's clear. Rove did speak to Cooper (and other reporters) after the Novak article. This was all established long long ago.
**

Yes, that is why I wonder why so many here have their hair on fire. Here is what O'Donnell said:
"And I know I'm going to get pulled into the grand jury for saying this but the source of...for Matt Cooper was Karl Rove, and that will be revealed in this document dump that Time magazine's going to do with the grand jury."
and
"I revealed in yesterday's taping of the McLaughlin Group that Time magazine's e-mails 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."

Looks like O'Donnell just stated a fact

[Prost1]

The most likely candidate was Plame herself or her worthless parisite husband.

[mystery-ak]

Thanks for the clarification..

[cyncooper]

Be sure to see my #175.

[lurker214]

Question: You keep saying that Rove only talked to Cooper after the Novak column--im assuming you mean published right? If you read the rest of the article (not the excerpt you're right theres not much there) theres this following part atributed to Luskin, rove's lawyer:Initially, Fitzgerald's focus was on Novak's sourcing, since Novak was the first to out Plame. But according to Luskin, Rove's lawyer, Rove spoke to Cooper three or four days before Novak's column appeared. Luskin told NEWSWEEK that Rove "never knowingly disclosed classified information" and that "he did not tell any reporter that Valerie Plame worked for the CIA." Luskin declined, however, to discuss any other details.

[cyncooper]

I made comment (or as you quaintly put it, "keep saying") well before reading any of the article. This is old news.

[summer]

Lawyer tells WA Post Rover did nothing wrong -- July 2, 2005 - 10PM