There's an investigation underway and no one beyond the grand jury really knows what's been uncovered. No one knows for sure if Karl Rove and another "senior administration official" knowingly gave her name and her undercover status so we don't know yet if they are felons according to the Identities Protection Act. Maybe it can't be proven even if he did do it. All we all know is Karl just wanted everyone to know not to believe Wilson because his wife had him sent to Niger. But what I'm still wondering is how exactly did he know that? Have you,the RNC and friends, explained exactly how Rove knew that Wilson's wife sent him to Niger?
How exactly did Karl Rove know that Joe Wilson's wife sent him on that trip? He talked to reporters in July 2003 and the trip was February 2002. How did he know about a moment 17 months earlier that he wasn't present for? I guess somebody at the CIA would know. I'm sure they have a lot of paperwork that somebody as important as Karl Rove could get their hands on with a simple phone call. He wouldn't be doing his job if he didn't learn as much as he could about such a public opponent. I bet that he read that State Department report from 2002, the one from in the Senate Report on Prewar Intelligence July 7th, 2004 (page 40) that said that Valerie Plame was CIA and that she "dispatched Wilson" to Niger and that "she only attended the meeting to introduce her husband and left after about three minutes". He must have read that document because that's what he was telling everybody all over town because he was doing his job. Newsweek and the Wall Street Journal wrote about this INR report in October 2003 if you're not sure what I'm referring to. Here's a link all about it:
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/7/13/141246/050 Unfortunately, for Mr. Rove telling reporters that Wilson's wife works at the CIA and sent him to Niger, information he learned from a State Department document, was still a big no-no.
Turns out even if he didn't knowingly reveal a covert operative's identity he still broke a really big law. A very serious law. A law serious enough for the president to hire a private attorney like he did. A law so serious that a group of judges again and again pressed reporters Cooper and Miller to testify to the Grand Jury despite the tradition of the press having protected sources. One judge, Judge Tatel said that the privilege had to give way to "the gravity of the suspected crime." Releasing classified information, identity or not, is a crime of Espionage. That INR report, that Karl wanted everyone to know about so they'd know that the Wilsons were just partisan democrats that had the story about Niger wrong and she sent him to Niger possibly to intentionally get the story wrong, that report was CLASSIFIED. You are not allowed to distribute classified information even if that information lets everybody know that the guy criticizing your boss is a weanie who's wife gets him work. Nope. It's really frowned upon. Even John Dean said, "Leaking classified information is a crime under the Espionage Act with no exceptions for good intentions." He oughta know.
So I can try and believe you that Karl Rove didn't say Valerie Plame's name to reporters and that that actually makes a difference, or that he even didn't reveal or know her covert status. I'll even buy that he's only been 100% truthful to the Grand Jury so democrats shouldn't even whisper anything about perjury. I'll accept every little spin stated so far but what will you say to explain releasing classified INFORMATION?
You're all so organized and unified with your "talking points". It's very impressive. I can't wait to hear how you are going to explain and attempt to minimize the release of classified information to reporters to discredit a political opponent. I wonder if there will be Republicans that will be Americans first and draw the line. Perhaps the press will buy your explanation, perhaps voters will, but will Fitzgerald? Will the Grand Jury? I have a feeling I won't.
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