If Rove Wasn't Initial Source of Leak, Who Was? [LATimes laments]

LATimes ^ | July 17, 2005 | By Doyle McManus

[johnny7]

Some in GOP fear more revelations, and hope naming a court nominee will overshadow case.

WASHINGTON — If Karl Rove was source No. 2, who was source No. 1? Rove, President Bush's top political advisor, has survived a bruising week of controversy over his role in the unmasking of a CIA officer. But White House officials and their Republican allies acknowledge that they may face more revelations in the weeks and months to come.

[tobyhill]

I think this investigation began as if she was "covert" but since it has been proved she wasn't, it has shifted to specific statements and facts. With all the lawyers and WH investigators that have been involved, I don't think anyone in the administration lied because there was no reason to. After all she was "fair game". Now Wilson has lied at about almost everything from Cheney to his own wife. What did Wilson tell investigators and what info did Wilson let out that he shouldn't have? That will tell exactly what is being investigated.

[Cboldt]

... the fact remains there is an ongoing investigation as if she WAS covert. That's a fact, unless there's something we really do not know.

I wouldn't jump to the conclusion that the status of "ongoing" means that the status of "covert" is or was attached to Plame. The investigation can remain open for many reasons, including obstruction of justice by testimony witnesses.

[Wolfstar]

The behavior you so aptly outline in your post #10 is standard operating procedure for the media. As a one-time journalist myself (early in my career), I wish there was some way to educate the American public about common journalistic "techniques." They'd never be so naive about journalists ever again.

The bait-and-switch technique you mention is so very common, the wonder is that anyone with even a modicum of knowledge about how reporters work ever bothers to talk to them.

I've written about it many times in my nearly eight years of participation on FR. Reporters pick up bits of information from various places, then weave a STORY, as in tale and yarn. Elite reporters, in particular, become quite skilled at the art of the sneak and the con.

[Eva]

I don't know how many times this has to be repeated, there was no leak. Valerie Plame's identity was common knowledge in DC social circles. She told everyone that she worked for the CIA. All anyone in the administration did was to state that Wilson was lying about being sent to Niger by someone in the administration. His wife cannot be considered part of the administration.

[brazzaville]

Good morning.
"Who instigated it?"

Ted Kennedy wrote a letter to Dion shortly after the game began wanting to know the status of the investigation. I'm not sure but john kerry also might have signed the letter, maybe Shumer as well. Whoever signed the letter, it was pretty clear the DemocRATs were behind the referral.

Michael Frazier

[Eagles Talon IV]

But didn't this conversation with Coopere occur AFTER Rove spoke to NOVAK who has said that he told Rove about Plame?

In any case Rove never confirmed anything about Plame. All he said was "I heard that too" That is in no way a confirmation of anything.

[tobyhill]

I think what the GJ is doing now is wrapping up any possible loose ends with the "outing" crime and once those are tied up, that part ends and then begins the real investigation of what Wilson has told investigators. Novak and Cooper are off the hook because they finalized what role Rove or Libby played in a non-crime. Now Miller is in trouble because she is protecting Kristof, who actually spoke to Wilson, the real one that all crimes points to.

[johnny7]

Elite reporters, in particular, become quite skilled at the art of the sneak and the con.

Agreed. The best ones surrender to a kind of elitist-halucination where once a week they emerge to pen columns that resemble Northern Cheyenne visions of the return of the buffalo.

[Eva]

I think that Miller is in trouble because she spoke to Plame and Wilson, personally. Miller was having a problem with her employer, the NYT, over an article that she wrote about the WMDs and Chalabi. The NYT didn't like the fact that Miller didn't support the Bush tried to spin CIA information rant, and wrote an article to that effect. The NYT had pulled her off the story and she wrote one on Chalabi, and somehow got it passed her editors. The NYT was furious, and somehow her private correspondence with another reporter (Kristoff??) was made public. I don't remember the details, but my guess is that Miller contacted Plame or Wilson to discuss what he had written, and that is what the prosecutor is after. The NYT doesn't want that conversation known, because Miller was not supporting their fatwah on the Bush administration. Although, an extreme liberal, Miller always supported the existence of WMDs and had written books about it. Her credibility was being attacked, right along with Bush.

[Patriot from Philly]

My concern is that the Democratic operatives and their media mates have set a trap for the republicans and they stepped in it. Hopefully, not. How slick, use a CIA type to smear the administration and when the administration defends itself...

[Surtur]

quote This whole investigation, pushed by Democrats, could end up exposing the fact that there was a faction in the CIA that leaked classified info to undermine the Bush administration. /quote

I agree whole heartedly. The dems have handed Bush the string trimmer to weed out the entrenched opposition within the CIA. B & R have played this hand brilliantly.

[CyberAnt]

My list: Wilson, Plame, Miller, Clinton (Hillary).

[cookcounty]

Who was? Since Joe Wilson has been canonized as a Holy Saint of the Democratic Church of the Left and sanctified as a Prophet by the Legacy Press Papacy, we know for sure that he didn't do it

[Surtur]

quote I'm not saying it's true. I kept asking the question why is Fitzgerald investigation if she was NOT a covert agent. The media keeps portraying this as if she was a covert agent, so I investigated and that is what I found. /quote

Fitzgerald was handed an assignment with specific allegations. While investigating those allegations, perhaps he uncovered treasonous acts within the CIA and is continuing to investigate those and plans to indict those guilty parties who are involved.

[Surtur]

quote My list: Wilson, Plame, Miller, Clinton (Hillary). /quote

My list: Wilson, Plame, Miller, and as an outside shot, Colin Powell (perhaps the only (former) member of the Bush administration that a liberal MSM writer would go to jail to protect).

[syriacus]

The Ole Gray Ho is the rat in this story...

The very same Ho that published Wilson's libellous op-ed which endangered Americans' lives and reputations.

Perfidia
Joe took the Islamicists' side,
When he said that the President lied.
Since the Times spread Joe's tale,
Please put them in jail
And, certainly, Joe should be fried

[syriacus]

Wilson has lied at about almost everything from Cheney to his own wife

Yep!!

[Wolfstar]

The best ones surrender to a kind of elitist-halucination where once a week they emerge to pen columns that resemble Northern Cheyenne visions of the return of the buffalo.

LOL! Funny, but very, very well stated.

[Wolfstar]

My concern is that the Democratic operatives and their media mates have set a trap for the republicans and they stepped in it.

I think this has been a set up from the get-go, starting all the way back in 2002. The CIA referred the Plame matter to the special prosector. All roads in this mess lead to the CIA. Although it likely will never be confirmed in public, I suspect rogue elements in the CIA attempted to undermine the administration's war effort by setting up the whole Wilson Niger report garbage. The Plame-name-blame-game is just so much gravy and gave them an excuse to ask for a special prosecutor.

[johnny7]

I DO have my moments.