In the wake of the indictment of I. Lewis “Scooter” Libby on a variety of charges related to the way he responded to the investigation of the “leak” of Valerie Plame’s name to the news media, many Democrats and some in the media (particularly the folks at 60 Minutes) seem to be regurgitating talking points they had written long before special prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald announced the indictment.
Based upon what they are saying, one would expect that Fitzgerald had uncovered a vast conspiracy (aggressively led by the president’s heinous henchman, Dr. Evil himself, Karl Rove) to smear Joe Wilson. Yet, when I read the indictment this weekend, I learned exactly what I had gleaned from news reports (and Fitzgerald’s press conference) on Friday that Libby had been indicted on serious charges, but none of them for the underlying (alleged) crime. And Mr. Rove was not indicted. There was no conspiracy. Indeed, before the investigation, there wasn’t even a crime.
Some Democrats, however, seem to have read a different indictment than I. While Mr. Libby has stepped down, Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid says Rove should also resign “because of his role in exposing an undercover CIA officer.” Even though, after a lengthy investigation, Rove wasn’t indicted, wasn’t implicated in any crime, Mr. Reid acts as if the president’s longtime aide had committed some great crime. Perhaps that Democrat is just looking to punish him for the great crime of being the “architect” of President Bush’s re-election last fall.
Despite Fitzgerald’s 22-month investigation, Chuck Schumer, New York’s other Senator, thinks an “internal investigation” is in order while he compares President Bush to Nixon, a man who didn’t admit his mistakes. Well, as Bruce (and so many others) have pointed out–unlike Nixon’s team (which actively worked to undermine the Watergate investigation), the current Administration (as ordered by the president himself) has cooperated with the “Plamegate” inquiry.
While Libby was indicted on Friday, Democrats didn’t get what they wanted–proof of their claim that the Administration, under the direction of Rove (AKA Dr. Evil), engages in “slash-and-burn assaults on its critics.” With their comments this weekend, Schumer and Reid aren’t reacting to the indictment that Mr. Fitzgerald handed down, but to the one they wish he had.
For them, it’s not about finding out whether a crime was committed, but about finding a crime for which Karl Rove can be indicted. And failing that, finding some excuse to punish the man who helped re-elect a man they revile — and who advises him still today.
It’s been nearly a year now, but they don’t seem to have gotten over the fact that last November, the American people re-elected George W. Bush to a second four-year term. As president, he gets to pick his advisors. And he has tapped Karl Rove to be his Deputy Chief of Staff. I suggest Democrats respect that choice, move on and let the president — and his advisors — get on with their jobs.
-Dan (AKA GayPatriotWest): GayPatriotWest@aol.com
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