Novak: Feds know who outed CIA agent

[Rose Siding]

Robert Novak said Wednesday that special counsel Patrick Fitzgerald knows who outed a CIA agent to the Chicago Sun-Times columnist but hasn't acted on the information because Novak's source committed no crime.
...
Novak acknowledged the swirl of speculation regarding his actions in Fitzgerald's investigation of the leak, including whether he testified before a grand jury, revealed his source to Fitzgerald or made some sort of a plea bargain by fingering someone else so he could stay out of jail.

But he called the speculation "ridiculous," declining to reveal his actions.

"I'm not going to tell you because it's none of your damn business," he said.

To reveal more if probe ever ends

Still, he did say, "If I had gone before a grand jury and taken the Fifth Amendment, Mr. Fitzgerald would have that on the street in about two minutes."

http://www.suntimes.com/output/news/cst-nws-novak20.html

[Me.]

1. Coward

In every way possible! And then trying to blame it on Fitzgerald!

[orwell]

2. One Exception...

Still, he did say, "If I had gone before a grand jury and taken the Fifth Amendment, Mr. Fitzgerald would have that on the street in about two minutes."

Fitzgerald doesn't leak. You, Mr. Novak, leak like a rusty pipe in a toilet.

Now go back to your club chair and choke on your own bile...

[Rose Siding]

4. Another-

This is just nofacts saying that fitz "hasn't acted on the information because Novak's source committed no crime"

Not worth the fish wrap it's written on.

[Selteri]

5. Let's see here...

Fitz is notorious for believing in the bill of Rights.

Novak is notorious for throwing temper tantrums and accusing people of inane insane things.

[CoffeeCat]

3. So does this point to the Chimpmander in Chief?

Novak says he knows who did it and that his, "source committed no crime."

Junior has suggested that he has the authority to declassify information instantaneously--therefore he did nothing wrong.

So, it must be Junior. Junior is the only one trying to legitimize and legalize his behavior. Other players (VP, aids, advisors) wouldn't have authority to instantaneously declassify, would they?

Also--remember all of that "Aspens are turning" stuff? Novak wrote a column after the Aspen Conference (a gathering of elite conservatives in Aspen). Novak's column wrist slapped Junior and let him know that many of his friends were not his friends any more. Novak--along with many other conservatives--were very displeased with Junior's handling of Katrina, and other matters. I'm wondering--why would Novak openly taunt Junior--then protect him? Why would Novak toe the company line--that Junior did nothing wrong (assuming that Junior was the source).

Sorry, I'm kinda thinking out loud...

Maybe I have this all wrong.

Anyone else have thoughts on Novak's source?

[rodeodance]

6. didn't libby write the Aspens are turning comments?

[CoffeeCat]

12. Yes, Libby wrote...

"The aspens are turning" comment in a letter to Judith Miller.

However, many on DU have suggested that the "Aspens" in Libby's letter to Miller symbolized the conservatives who attended the Aspen conference. Libby's letter was written around the time that the Aspen conference happened. That conference seemed to be pivotal, because it marked the first time that conservatives galvanized around their disapproval of Bush's handling of many issues.

Libby's letter to Miller urged her to talk...and to get out of jail. It was as if he was saying that the important people (conservative power brokers who attended the Aspen conference) were turning against Bush, and there was no point in protecting or sitting in jail for someone who no longer had support.

Novak's column, title "Bashing Bush in Aspen" was unprecedented. The Aspen Conference happens annually, but this was the first year that a columnist or reporter was allowed in and allowed to write about it.

Novak's column was a direct hit to Junior--letting him know that many of his previous fans were not really his friends anymore.

Here is a link to Novak's column, if you're interested.
http://www.townhall.com/opinion/columns/robertnovak/2005/09/22/155676.html

[stillcool]

15. that is a very strange article...

although I don't think I've read anything he's written before. It's as though he got thrown out of the sand-box, and he's trying to show favor to get back in...

I do not see myself as a defender of the Bush presidency, and I am sure the White House does not regard me as such. But as a member of the second panel consisting of journalists, I felt constrained to argue against implications that Hurricane Katrina should cause the president to rediscover race and poverty. My comments again generated more criticism from the audience and obvious exasperation by Charlie Rose. Indeed, after the closing dinner Saturday night, the moderator made clear he was displeased by my conduct.

U.S. News & World Report disclosed this week, with apparent disdain, that presidential adviser Karl Rove took time off from the Katrina relief effort to be at Aspen. He was needed as a counterweight. I settled in for serious fireworks, expecting Bush-bashers to assault his alter ego at the conference's final session. However, direct confrontation with a senior aide must have been more difficult than a remote attack on the president. It would be a shame if Rove returned to Washington without informing George W. Bush how erstwhile friends have turned against him

[npincus]

7. did he just finger Cheney?

since proclaiming his (Cheney's) authority to seclectively de-classify documents... then it would be, in his mind, not criminal.

[dave29]

8. Novak has said his source was "no partisan hack"

I think that rules out Bush/Cheney or just about anyone whom we might normally assume made the leak.

My guess remains someone who worked with or near Valerie at the CIA and may not have known of her status. Or someone like Chalabi who had an agenda in line with the administration.

[Rose Siding]

9. What's his definition of that term?

No one can be ruled out on Novak's say so.

[proud2BlibKansan]

10. Novak is a proven liar

He wrote a month or so ago that Senator Talent in MO is fighting a stem cell iniative, because it will allow human cloning. Yet, in capital letters, at the top of this initiative, it specifically says no human cloning will be allowed. Novak linked the initiative in his article.

No way Novak could have missed that. He lied to prove a point. Damn bastard.

[onehandle]

11. Traitor. nt

[Love Bug]

13. Oh, please. Novakula is saving it all for the book he's going to write

in an effort to revive his career.

[rocktivity]

14. He should know--especially if he's the one who told them.

:boring:
rocknation

[Critters2]

16. Douchebag of Liberty!

:patriot:

[Supersedeas]

17. such a funny grumpy old man

[BootinUp]

18. Poor vakula.

pardon my crocodile tears, lol.

[lovuian]

19. I don't listen to traitors!!! and Novak is one!!!

:argh:

[Tight_rope]

21. I second that...Novak is a traitor!

[against all enemies]

20. He's still alive? Is the dog shit I just stepped in alive?