This whole thing is a mess.
Yes, it is. I heard some talking heads on one of the news channels asking why Libby would lie to the FBI and Grand Jury when it was clear that there was documentation otherwise. I guess he could argue on exactly what "knew she worked at the CIA" means, ie. he never saw her employee badge, but that's Clintonesque.
I guess he thought that he could deflect the FBI investigation and that it would blow over. Once he tried to do that, he couldn't contradict his FBI statements in the later Grand Jury. Still, the guy's no dummy, he had to know that all the details would be found out.
It sure is a mess -- would have thought anyone in the WH would have avoided the NY Times like they had the plague!