Question regarding PlameGate...

[nickshepDEM]

I was reading Lawrence O'Donnels article over at The Huffington Post and he stated that 2 top level officials will possibly be indicted. He also said, its possible that 2 very top level officials will be brought in as unindicted co-conspirators.

First, do we know exactly who these 4 people are? Rove, Libby, ???, ???.

Second, what do you think the political ramifications will be for the GOP if all of this turns out to be true?

[calimary]

1. Don't know. I'm on pins and needles like everyone else.

I know what I dearly hope for, but I tend to lean a little pessimistic on this one. I just don't want to be disappointed AGAIN!!! So I hope I'm wrong. I want 'em all sent up the river. But I'd settle for rove, libby, the drunk-in-chief, and mr. go-fuck-yourself.

Besides... didn't want to see you pose a question here and just have it sink out of sight. I thought you ought to have an answer, even if only a substandard one. :D

Dammitall! What I'd give for a reliable crystal ball just about now...

[texpatriot2004]

3. I think it will be those four and more. As for the GOP...they will

be hit hard, the RNC could be facing issues too. I don't know what it will do to them long term but it could really hurt them in 2006.

[adarling]

2. BUSH AND CHENEY

well it might happen and probably will but i won't hold my breath....just dream about it:silly:

[existentialist]

4. "unindicted coconspirator"

(Richard Nixon was, of course, the original unindicted coconspirator.)

[Fovea]

5. Cheney and Bolton

rounds out the group, unless someone goes crazy and flips on **.
That would be Bolton, an egomanical bullyboy straight up.

[KnaveRupe]

6. Political ramifications? Puh-leeze.

We already know what criminality has gone on; the indictments aren't going to change the views of anyone here.

As far as the wingnuts go, the Bush administration could sacrifice babies and eat their hearts on prime time television, and the only complaint they'd get from their base would be for pre-empting WWE rasslin'.

As far as the rest of America is concerned, ask your average co-worker if they even know who Scooter Libby is and you'll get blank stares and a request to pass the Krispy Kremes.

Without a robust news media, there will be little or no chance that this will affect the sheeple.

Personal theory? I think gas prices are staying high right now so that they can be lowered to boost *'s numbers when the indictments DO come. Gas prices are the biggest reason for the 37% rating, IMHO - white middle class America has already forgotten Katrina's victims.

</cynical curmudgeon>

[longship]

7. Here's what I see.

Two high levels have got to be Rove and Libby. They are the two who are most often mentioned. Certainly they are the two leakers to the press. I don't think there's any doubt that they are the ones of whom O'Donnell is speaking.

I would think that two "very top level officials" means people above the staff level. Of those mentioned in conjunction with the investigation there are only four possibles, Bush, Cheney, Rice, and Powell. They are the only four at a cabinet level or above--all of them very top level. I think we can eliminate Powell. Although he was the origin of the State Department Memo (IDing Plame) on the Africa trip, he is too intelligent to get involved in anything as smarmy as outing a covert op for political revenge. That leaves Bush, Cheney, and Rice.

Crashcart Cheney is an obvious target of the investigation. I really think he's gonna be indicted. If so, he's toast. Done deal. That's one top level that we can be damned sure of.

Rice might be the target for violation of the intelligence laws. She was on AF-1 on the Africa trip. She received the memo from Powell and as Security officer for the President would have clearance to know Valerie Wilson's ID. It then becomes her responsibility to keep this secret. If she's the one who leaked to Rove/Libby then she may have violated intelligence laws and may be subject to a very long prison term if convicted.

Chimpster is a tougher one. The only thing they can probably get him on is obstruction of justice (cover-up) or conspiracy. What's important here is that he was on AF-1 on the Africa trip where this whole affair was obviously hatched. Chimpy could be one of the two top level perps if Fitz has him for conspiracy or obstruction. The only way I see that happening is if somebody has turned.

Turners? Okay, here goes. Ari Fleischer. He was on AF-1 for the Africa trip. He left the White House quickly immediately after Rove/Plame broke. It is known that he talked with the grand jury early on. He's number one on the hit parade as a turncoat. If Chimp is one of the top levels, Ari is likely a turncoat.

Others? Could be any West Winger. Matalin, who also has left the WH is suspect. I would have said Hughes, but her return to the State Department says no. There's also other WHIG members who are possibilities.

Libby has been mentioned, but his loyalty to Crashcart must be strong, otherwise a complete lunatic jerk like Crashcart wouldn't have him as his chief of staff. This ideological WH values loyalty above all. I think it's safe to presume that, in spite of his cryptic letter to Judy Miller, Libby's no turncoat.

[Neil Lisst]

8. who will be indicted?

I think Rove and Libby will both be indicted. Whether Cheney and Bush will be unindicted co-conspirators remains to be seen, but I don't see them being named. Who would roll on them?

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