Center for American Progress: Debunking Rove's Spin

[Beaverhausen]

Didn't see this posted yet. This is great and all inclusive with links galore!

http://www.americanprogressaction.org/site/pp.asp?c=klLWJcP7H&b=100480


by Judd Legum, Faiz Shakir, Nico Pitney,
Mipe Okunseinde and Christy Harvey

July 13, 2005
PLAMEGATE
Debunking Rove's Spin

In our continuing series of reports examining Karl Rove's involvement in leaking the name of an undercover CIA agent, we'll focus today on the spin coming from right-wing operatives trying to defend Rove's unethical behavior.

The White House's strategy in defending him -- a strategy devised by "Rove loyalists outside of the White House," according to the Washington Post -- is to try to undermine opponents calling for Rove's dismissal, play down Rove's role and wait for President Bush to name a Supreme Court nominee to drown out the controversy. What is important to note is that while the White House officially refuses to answer any questions on the growing scandal, Rove himself is clearly pushing out spin from behind the scenes.

Terry Moran, ABC's White House correspondent, noted at the press briefing yesterday that Fox News has been able to report that Rove's conversations with Matt Cooper lasted for two minutes and focused on welfare reform. "They're getting that information from here, from Karl Rove," said Moran. All this spin detracts from one central fact: Rove leaked classified information that disclosed a covert CIA agent's identity.

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way more at the link

[Career Prole]

1. Exactly what I was looking for!

Thanks for posting! :thumbsup:

[Beaverhausen]

2. I love this part about Rove and the Wilsons attending the same church

FACT -- ROVE IDENTIFIED THE AGENT AND KNEW THAT WHAT HE WAS DOING WAS WRONG:

A number of factors weigh against Rove's assertion. First, Rove identified Valerie Plame as "Wilson's wife." Under section 421 of the Intelligence Identities Protection Act the disclosure of "any information identifying covert agent" is illegal.

Second, Rove's lawyer is undermining the distinction between naming and identifying Plame as too legalistic and a minor detail.

Third, Rove insisted on speaking to Cooper only on "double super secret background." As Andrew Sullivan notes, "Why would Rove have insisted on such a super-tight confidentiality standard if he was not aware that he was divulging something he truly shouldn't divulge?"

Fourth, as Joe Wilson himself has indicated, his wife goes by Mrs. Wilson, so it would have been clear who Rove was talking about (and Rove attended the same church as the Wilson family, indicating he may know more about Plame than he's letting on)

[DemsUnited]

3. Perfect!

:kick:

[BrklynLiberal]

4. kicked and nominated

[Beaverhausen]

5. Kicking my own thread

This is a great resource.