XXXXX DRUDGE REPORT XXXXX MON JULY 11, 2005 17:21:08 ET XXXXX
NY TIMES FIGHTS BACK: PLANS FRONT SPLASH ON ROVE; REPORTER SITS IN JAIL
Top editors of the NY TIMES made the decision Monday afternoon to turn up the heat on White House adviser Karl Rove.
The TIMES is planning to lead Tuesday editions with growing calls for Rove's resignation, newsroom sources tell the DRUDGE REPORT, a powerplay in DC all-star game of high stakes finger pointing and intrigue.
While TIMES reporter Judith Miller remains jailed for refusing to testy about sourcing before a grand jury investigating the outing of a CIA "operative," the paper's editors are splashing Rove's own lack of detailed explanation detailing his press contacts.
"Scott McClellan, Bush's spokesman, repeatedly declined to say whether he stood behind his previous assertions that Rove played no role in the matter or whether the president would follow through on his pledge to fire anyone in his administration found to be involved," report the NYT's David Johnston, Adam Liptak and Richard Stevenson in their front page lead.
"Democrats demanded the White House provide a full public explanation of any role played by Karl Rove in disclosing the identity two years ago of a CIA operative, turning up the political heat on a long-simmering case just as President Bush heads into a critical period in his second term. But the White House declined to answer any questions about Rove's involvement."
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"the paper's editors are splashing Rove's own lack of detailed explanation detailing his press contacts."
Because that would be a violation of the grand jury secrecy laws.
Sounds to me like the evil genius has the NYT playing
rope-a-dope.