Indictments in the Plame case

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Looks like things are drawing to a conclusion in the Plame affair. Several indictments (from one to five) are expected today. Some (un)substantiated rumour ( Washington Note):

 

This is a challenging question indeed. Not that there are indictments, but the possibility of five. Who oh who could they all be? I think there are only three that are obvious.

Scooter Libby is definitely at the top of the list. Rove and Cheney are also pretty logical choices. It's those last two that I'm scratching my head about.

Of course, here is an interesting thought - although complete and total speculation on my part at this juncture: If Libby got the info from Cheney, then who told Cheney? Could it possibly be GWB? Could we actually see an impeachment hearing out of this? Note that by "impeachment" I do not mean actually being run out of office. Clinton was impeached, but he wasn't removed from office.

 

As I understand it, Cheney learned from Tenet (the head of CIA). Presumably Cheney asked for the info, and Tenet obliged. Some speculate then that Tened got angry that the info made its way to the press, and this is why CIA required an investigation.

(Note that Tenet testified early in the case, so the prosecutor probably was aware of the Cheney connection. So probably this is why he leaned hard on Miller, so he could then establish connection to Libby - Cheney's chieff of staff).

I think Bush is sort of incidental to the whole matter. He probably knew about it, but he did not get directly involved (why should he, after all. the people around him are well versed in the art of deception, and well aware of the need to use it).

 

I really doubt there will be impeachment hearings out of this. My personal contention is that GWB is so far out of the loop on matters such as these he probably thinks Valarie Plame is a character in one of Laura's romance novels. I may be giving him far too little credit, but that's my general feeling.

 

The word on the street is, Libby is the only one who will be indicted today. The investigation is continuing, and it appears that Rove isn't out of the woods yet, but Libby is definitely getting indicted.

 

well, we'll know by noon today (or a little after)

 

Here's an excellent post from Andrew Sullivan's blog that I think beautifully sums up what's about to happen next:

Emphasis mine.

Those who are hoping this is all over are engaging in the disappointing practice of wishful thinking, IMO. We'll see what happens in the next few weeks/months.

 

My condolences, DR. How's your family taking this? I do hope cousin Mary and Auntie Lynn are holding out OK.

 

Some updates, if you did not follow the developments in this case :

So, Bob Woodward, (of Watergate fame), also received leaks about Plame's identity. In order to get his testimony, Fitzgerald empaneled another grand jury. Apparently Woodward's source was the National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley (taken from here , I did not find confirmation in other places).

Also, from the article linked above, it looks like Fitzgerald is not done with Rove yet:

Finally, another journalist from Time is testifying in the case, this time concerning some conversations with Rove's attorney.

Looks like this is not quite over yet.