Who Was Karl Rove's Accomplice?

[whistle]

Statement by Tom Matzzie, Washington Director of MoveOn.org Political Action

7/15/2005 1:07:00 PM

To: National Desk

Contact: Trevor FitzGibbon, Jessica Smith Steve Smith, 202-822-5200 all of Fenton Communications

WASHINGTON, July 15 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The following is a statement by Tom Matzzie, Washington director of MoveOn.org Political Action:

"Today's news reports prove that Karl Rove knew Valerie Plame's identity and was a source to Robert Novak. When Karl Rove told CNN in 2004 that he didn't know Plame's name, he was lying. So now the question is not just about Rove -- who clearly has lied to the press and the public -- but about the second person. Who is the other White House leaker? This conspiracy clearly reaches into the highest levels of our government. This could be among the worst presidential scandals in our history. Rove, and a second unnamed White House official, put partisanship ahead of patriotism. Again, we call on the president to keep his promise and fire Karl Rove. How long will the cover-up continue?"

http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=50418

[rateyes]

1. The real crime is in the answer to the question...

Who was the person authorized to have the classified material revealing the name of the "front" operation where Plame "worked," and showed it to someone who was not authorized? (Aboard AF-1, on bush's trip to Africa)

That's a clear violation of the Espionage Act, in and of itself. "Intent" has nothing to do with it. If you have classified material, and you share it with someone authorized to have it, you are guilty of espionage.

And, if anyone receives classified info they are not authorized to have (like a reporter) and shares that classified info with others, he/she too is guilty of espionage.

This is much more serious than the leaking of a name.--It's treason, and it can get our operatives killed. It's treason.

And, if someone knows that a violation of the Espionage Act has occured, and tries to cover it up--(President?)--he is too guilty of Sec. 792 of the Espionage Act, and can receive the same penalty of law---10 years in prison.

As I see it right now---Bush, Cheney, Rove, Libby, Powell, Rice, Rumsfeld, probably Bolton, Novak, perhaps Miller, perhaps Cooper, --others all guilty.--IMHO.

[whistle]

2. And that is where the focus needs to remain.....

[illflem]

3. The Dick n/t

[shraby]

4. If Rove was one source for Novak,

that still leaves 2 white house officials who came to Novak with the info. Novak said they came to him, he didn't go to them, and at the time Rove wasn't a white house official.