I think Rove set Libby up

[Duer 157099]

I just finally watched the Fitzgerald press conference, and the impression that struck me was that Libby thought he would get away with the story about the reporters having told him about Plame rather than vice versa, because someone (I suspect Rove) assured him (Libby) that the reporters had already been informed, presumably by him (Rove).

"Scooter, go ahead, talk to the press -- I did. I told Novak, so if you claim that reporters already know, it can be proven, because I told Bob. Besides, we know that the press won't give us up, they never do."

I just have this feeling that Rove gave Libby the green light, when in fact Rove had not, at that point, done any talking to Novak (do we know when Rove spoke to Novak?)

On the other hand, even if Rove already had told Novak, perhaps he embellished the story to Libby by saying that either Novak or he (Rove) also told a whole chain of reporters (except Russert). So, setting Libby up to call Russert without worrying about being the first to leak.

I mean, what was the incentive for Libby to tell Miller et al if he knew Rove was already talking to Novak? Just to make sure the story was pitched far and wide?

[Zen Democrat]

1. Yeah, it's the thing they believe in -- telling the lie often enough

that it becomes accepted fact. That seems to be how they have handled the media on everything -- more than one senior official confirming lies and innuendo to their journalist friends, ones that carry weight, such as Meet The Press, NYT, WaPo, and Time.

This was all about discrediting Wilson's discrediting of the Niger yellowcake cause for war. I mean, Cheney didn't want to be tried for war crimes.

[eleny]

2. Then Libby ought to F him right back

[roguevalley]

3. He got rid of a rival, didn't he. Also, Libby can't really squawk

without doing Cheney in. We shall see who is loyal to whom. I felt from his lack of remorse and comment that he was going to have a magnificent weekend that Rove probably set this all up.

[murielm99]

4. We worry about the Wilsons' and Fitzgerald's safety.

Wilson has said that there have been threats.

What is keeping the bushbots in line? Are they worried about their families and their safety, too? Maybe they should be worried. We know the BFEE is capable of anything.