Plame Gossip - Questions
Something's been bugging me for the last couple days about the Plame reporting. First, we had the Rawstory report that Rove was the source through which Fitzgerald discovered the "250 missing emails" that appear to have been deleted off administration computers, at least in the VP's office.
Next, there was Jason's story about possible upcoming indictments of Rove and Hadley that I interpreted as a final "talk or face jailtime" tactic by Fitzgerald.
So my question is this: How did Rove know about the purge of those emails?
I see a couple of possibilities. First, and less likely I think, Rove could've heard about it through some sort of grapevine in which case these deliberate actions of obstruction of justice must be known by more people than Rove.
Second, this could be de facto evidence of conspiracy if someone told Rove about the purging efforts.
Also, notice that it's Rove/Hadley who are under Fitzgerald's thumb right now. It was Rove's email to Hadley, about the Plame conversation with Cooper, that magically reappeared between Rove's grand jury testimonies. It is the main point of contention in the perjury and obstruction charges against Rove.
So, is it a coincidence that the sender and receiver of one temporarily missing email just happen to be facing "tell the truth or go to jail" indictment threats, and at least one of those parties, Rove, reportedly pointed Fitzgerald to 250 more missing emails?
I see conspiracy to obstruct justice here with Rove as the indictable weak link in the chain. The real question is, who else were members of this conspiracy? The conveniently resigned "former White House official" Andy Card?
Just speculation, but as news of Fitzgerald's indictment threat came out, Andy Card resigns.
Remember that it was Andy Card and Al Gonzales who sat on the original document request by Fitzgerald for twelve hours before notifying White House staff to preserve any relevant documents.
Hmmmmm........
Next, there was Jason's story about possible upcoming indictments of Rove and Hadley that I interpreted as a final "talk or face jailtime" tactic by Fitzgerald.
So my question is this: How did Rove know about the purge of those emails?
I see a couple of possibilities. First, and less likely I think, Rove could've heard about it through some sort of grapevine in which case these deliberate actions of obstruction of justice must be known by more people than Rove.
Second, this could be de facto evidence of conspiracy if someone told Rove about the purging efforts.
Also, notice that it's Rove/Hadley who are under Fitzgerald's thumb right now. It was Rove's email to Hadley, about the Plame conversation with Cooper, that magically reappeared between Rove's grand jury testimonies. It is the main point of contention in the perjury and obstruction charges against Rove.
So, is it a coincidence that the sender and receiver of one temporarily missing email just happen to be facing "tell the truth or go to jail" indictment threats, and at least one of those parties, Rove, reportedly pointed Fitzgerald to 250 more missing emails?
I see conspiracy to obstruct justice here with Rove as the indictable weak link in the chain. The real question is, who else were members of this conspiracy? The conveniently resigned "former White House official" Andy Card?
Just speculation, but as news of Fitzgerald's indictment threat came out, Andy Card resigns.
Remember that it was Andy Card and Al Gonzales who sat on the original document request by Fitzgerald for twelve hours before notifying White House staff to preserve any relevant documents.
Hmmmmm........
posted by mikevotes at
10:10 AM
6 Comments:
Freedom happens!
By
Bravo 2-1, at 10:57 AM
ARGH. I meant that comment for the picture.
OK, these rumors are very interesting. But, Fitzie's shop is so tight lip, I can't put too much stock into anything until i see the dot pdfs.
By
Bravo 2-1, at 10:58 AM
You're right, but at the same time that's one of the reasons I like watching this case so much.
So much of it is puzzle solving and speculation. And, honestly, that's more fun to be than reporting facts.
And, really, I don't think that this investigation is completely the stone wall that's presented. At particularly key moments along the way, little bits beneficial to adding pressure have made it to the press.
Nothing concrete, but I think there have been a few controlled leaks for purpose.
Mike
By
mikevotes, at 1:02 PM
My preferred scenario is that Fitzgerald has fronted the WH with the evidence he has in hand, to elicit a bit of cooperation. It is not an unusual tactic for investigators, although they usually target the weakest link. Which could suggest the weakest link sought advice from the powers, thereby tipping them off.
Whichever way, the self presevation mode must kick in. Rove and others are not about to let a rope get closer to their well fed necks than they can help.
I see it, at this stage at least, as a damage control excersise.
In the end it really depends on what Fitzgerald has in that bag of tricks.
By
Cartledge, at 1:45 PM
If the Rawstory piece is wrong and the information flow went fitz to rove, I think you've got a good theory.
And, I think you're right. Fitzgerald is applying pressure not only to crack Rove/hadley, but also to force movement on the other side.
People under pressure make mistakes.
Mike
By
mikevotes, at 2:17 PM
Honestly, as close as I've watched this thing, there has never been any evidence that Bush has done anything illegal in relation to the Plame case. It's certainly possible viewing the apparent scope of the coverup, but in all the reading I've done, I've never seen anythinvg that points to Bush.
Cheney on the other hand has a lot of flags pointing at him. No hard evidence in the public record, but considering the "air force two" meeting and the fact that this whole thing seems to have been coordinated through his office, I would say it's reasonable to assume he had at the very least knowledge. I would guess more so, but from what's out there publicly...
That's why the possible indictments of Rove/Hadley is such a big deal. I don't think Fitzgerald nails Cheney without a coconspirator. It's obvious at this point there was a coverup, but we just don't know all the cards in Fitzgerald's hand.
Mike
By
mikevotes, at 8:38 PM
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