Josh Marshall makes a good point.

[warrior1]

Here's his latest.

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/week_2004_07_11.php#003150

There's been a rush of egregious commentary about the Niger uranium story in the last couple days. And one point we hear again and again is that if Joe Wilson's wife, Valerie Plame, played a role in recommending him for the trip to Niger, as the

snip

As I pointed out a couple days ago, legally it is clearly irrelevant. Political impact is of course both subjective and unpredictable. So, though we might all venture opinions, there's very little way to know.

But, really, why argue?

If there's no legal case and no political problem, why don't the senior administration officials who leaked her identity just come forward?

If their rationale is a good one and they face no legal jeopardy, what's the problem?

snip

I can only assume by their silence that they're rather less confident about the quality of their explanation and the degree of their legal jeopardy than their many voluble defenders in the conservative press.

Josh Marshall

[papau]

1. Well said - Plame ran the WMD CIA section - sent 2 ltrs - neither said

she demanded/requested husband Joe to be used to gather info.

Indeed Joe had gathered this type of info in the past(1998) so he knew the players and the routine - but to say wife ordered husband so as to embarrass Bush with his report is Bull.

The lies and spin - "Wilson exposed" bull - is being picked up by the US media so fast one wonders if they really do just sent a Fax from the RNC to the media to define the spin of the day/week!

:-)

[warrior1]

2. They are running scared

I think until the indictments come out will see more bull shit.

[Stephanie]

3. Tomorrow is July 14

Waiting for my Frog March!

[warrior1]

4. me too

.

[Tellurian]

5. Wilson has upset the WH plan of laying blame directly on him..

as their (psychological) exit strategy for the War in Iraq. Bush has blamed the CIA all along for bad intelligence. Wilson and Plame gave the CIA a "face". Wilson didn't volunteer for the mission he was asked to do by(some reports stating) Dick Cheney.

The Bush WH never expected a hardball defense coming from Wilson, based on their retaliatory actions leaking his wife's CIA operative status.