Traitorgate: The COVER-UP

[skip fox]

It might be useful to collect here all the disinformation the WH is bletching out and the cover they are preparing. They are working hastily and on the fly, and thus might well trip up when the stakes get even higher (because cover-ups tend to go up the ladder).

What I've heard so far:

1.) Many around DC knew Plame was with the Bureau. (This allows the administration to pin the leak on lower level officials--other than Libby and Rove).

2.) The law night not apply to "operatives" or those not undercover. Watch for her status to come under increasing scrutiny with administration apologists muddying the waters with her job title and description.

If we start collecting these, we might plan better ways of avoiding the WH's diversions.

[Brian Sweat]

1. They cannot muddy the issue.

The CIA knows a crime was committed. They are driving this issue and it will not go away until they get their pound of flesh.

[skip fox]

2. Let's hope.

:toast:

[Homer12]

3. Her status can be proved by the CIA through documentation.

[Junkdrawer]

4. The Guardian is reporting that, privately, reporters confirm Rove did it..

but, to protect their journalistic reputations, they won't testify publicly. So it will soon be common knowledge that Rove did it.

So that brings the next $64 question: how did a political consultant find out about top-secret undercover assignments? Let's get real: there is probably very little Rove doesn't know. The chief complaint about this administration is that everything it does is for political reasons. So all this "everybody knew" stuff is about deflecting this question.

As for her complete status, that will be taken to two tracks: publicly people like Limbaugh, Hannity and Novak will downplay her importance while privately, her true responsibilities will remain top secret. And I'm sure Rove would love for some Wilson confidant to come forward and talk about all the dangerous missions Plame did for her country - so he could then make their leaks into the diversionary story

[skip fox]

5. Junkdrawer, let's keep a list of

disinformation and possible covers they seem to be floating. Wanta?

We can just add to this or back channel and I can compile a list with links as I did for Halliburton and Harken, then we can post it in Editorials so it will be handy. (It might not be necessary depending on conditions . . . but . . .

What do you think?

[readmylips]

6. Pundit today said, Blame Joe Wilson.'....

Joe Wilson is the one talking about his wife in the media. The buzz is to discredit Joe Wilson. It's a good idea to keep a record, date, time and who said it because the smear is coming. Already Novakula has changed his story 3 times.

[Stephanie]

7. Just calling it a "leak" is pure spin

This is not a "leak." This is treason. The attempts to downplay it as a "leak" are really cheap. A leak is when you release internal memos or disclose frictions among the staff or tip somebody off to an upcoming event.

Blowing the cover of a CIA agent is not a leak, it is a crime.

[shockingelk]

8. maybe they're going to really try to find Osama

Leading whitehouse.gove news release for now:

Text of a Letter from the President to the Speaker of the House of Representatives
September 30, 2003

Dear Mr. Speaker:

In order to continue responses necessary as a result of the September 11th terrorist attacks, I am notifying the Congress of my intent to reallocate funds previously transferred from the Emergency Response Fund (ERF).

At this time, $290 million of ERF funds will be transferred to the Department of State to accelerate a variety of initiatives already underway in Afghanistan.

The details of this action are set forth in the enclosed letter from the Director of the Office of Management and Budget.

Sincerely,

GEORGE W. BUSH

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2003/09/20030930-3.html