I'm confused. What criminal referral is he referring to? Who instigated it?
And what were the results?
The CIA because Plame was outed...Wilson was pissed because he stated that Bush lied about Niger/Yellowcake and the next thing you know Novack is revealing Plame as CIA covert agent!
Now my questions are:
Why is Novack clear?
Why is Judith Miller protecting her source?
MEET THE PRESS
Russert shows TIME cover. Cooper says the first time he knew about Plame was from Rove. (very damaging if true, just as damaging if Fitzgerald believes it is true.)
Cooper says there may be other government sources than Libby and Rove who told him about Valerie Plame.
Russert replays Cooper's announcement without showing Cooper's dramatic, deceptive reason why he could now testify. Cooper goes into a long-winded response, but does not mention or apologize for his drama queen performance.
Russert asks a tough question: "you mentioned "other governement sources". "Did you get special confidentiality waivers from them"? Cooper refuses to respond.
Too bad, but predictable, Russert moves on to long term effect on TIME for revealing sources and documentation.
Spector's hearing on The Shield Law this week will take on new significance because Cooper is testifying. EXPECT THE DEMOCRATS TO TURN IT INTO A BASH ROVE PHOTO OP.
Cooper asked his biggest regret. He calls all this "A War On Wilson"
A referral to the Justice Department that Valeri Plame's covert status was illegally divulged.
Who instigated it?
The Novak column stated that Plame worked for the CIA. The DEMs and the media whipped up a firestorm that this revelation involved a criminal leak of confidential information. The CIA prepared and sent the referral.
Justice launches probe into CIA leak - October 1, 2003 <- Some details
And what were the results?
Fitzgerald, the special prosecutor, has not announced any results. There is rampant speculation as to whether Plame was in fac covert (i.e., whether or not there is a violation of law); as well as to who the leaker was in any event. The DEMs and the media assert that no matter what, Rove's conduct in acknowledgement, even if he wasn't a leaker, merits dismissal from his post.