With the non-indictment of Karl Rove, a question keeps nagging at the back of my head: why the hell isn’t anyone talking to Bob Novak?
Just for the sake of argument, let’s presume that the Left’s worst scenario is actually true: President Bush tells Karl Rove that Joseph Wilson needs to be destroyed, and the best way to do that is to let it out that his wife is Sooper-Sekrit Agent Double-Nought-14. Rove then cackles evilly and summons Robert Novak to his office and tells him all about it, including showing him her personnel file, W-2s, and copies of her CIA ID card. Then Novak goes back to his office and writes all about it.
OK, presuming that all that happened, and that Plame was covered by the law protecting CIA agents’ identities, let’s look at the facts: Rove told one person something he should not have. Or, maybe, a couple of reporters, but Novak was the one who ran with it. Rove may have told Novak, but Novak told it to the world.
Bob Novak, without question, revealed the identity of Valerie Plame as a CIA employee. Why hasn’t he been frog-marched out of his office and hauled in for questioning? Why doesn’t he have to make the case that she is not covered by the law protecting CIA employees? Why doesn’t he have to tell who allegedly violated the law in giving him this information?
I’m no lawyer, but I have heard of the legal concepts of “best evidence” and “hearsay.” The fundamental question here is who told Robert Novak about Plame, and exactly what was he told. But nobody wants to ask him.
In this whole story, Bob Novak is the elephant in the room. Personally, I think it’s time to break out the blunderbuss and score us some ivory — or let the whole issue die the quiet death it most likely deserves. As my mother used to say, “it’s time to shit or get off the pot.”
Jay Tea: All of your argument is hinged on ONE assumption – that Valerie Plame was, in fact, an undercover CIA agent. But was she? Maybe THAT is why this entire farce is fizzling before our eyes! Joe Wilson is not known for his ability to speak the truth on large matters or small and we only have had HIS word for it (hardly reliable) that his wife was, in fact, undercover. And if she was, then why did JOE “out” her on his own website, LONG BEFORE Novak?
I very much suspect this is all another manufactured kerfuffle designed to harm GWB – and as is the case with all of them, it has flopped like an airless pancake!
Bob Novak did speak to the grand jury. Very early on. He just kept his sources confidential. Nobody speaks to him now because he won’t reveal them now, either.
-=Mike
Jay
Youwrote: “Rove then cackles evilly and summons Robert Novak to his office and tells him all about it, including showing him her personnel file, W-2s, and copies of her CIA ID card.”
You omitted that Rove gave Novak copies of their home-made amateur adult videos.
Well I see little old mak-i-e 43 2/3 is back. Looks like he is suffering from Roveitis withdrawal. ( LMAO)
All of your argument is hinged on ONE assumption – that Valerie Plame was, in fact, an undercover CIA agent. But was she? Maybe THAT is why this entire farce is fizzling before our eyes! Gayle Miller
The CIA requested that this investigation take place, so clearly something was up or some assets were blown. Why don’t we ask the CIA why they requested the investigation in the first place while we’re poking the elephants?
The CIA requested that this investigation take place
Hmm, the CIA is about as supportive of the Prsident as the NY Times and Nancy Pelosi.
JT:
Novak denied the WH outed Plame
Mak44, sorry to see you are back. You missed a few things, or at least you failed to respond. First was a brilliant response on this board yesterday in which someone said, “how can we stiffle your opinion, if you won’t shut up?” The other was, if Bush is a Nazi, why are you still free. Mak, doesn’t covert indicate undercover, or at least secret? If so, if Plame goes to work every day at Langley, driving a gold covertable Jaguar, which surely draws attention, as they are rare how is where she works a secret? Seems like any PI worth his $200 a day plus expenses could have tracked her without any effort what so ever. Since all that was ever said was that she worked at CIA, that hardly seems like a national security leak considering her efforts to conceal where she was employed.
Kristian
You wrote: “Hmm, the CIA is about as supportive of the Prsident as the NY Times and Nancy Pelosi.”
Your post is illustrative of many of the typical Wizbanger responses of which I have had the occasion to comment about w/ Jay and Lorie.
It is dismissive w/out substance. It is inane, as well, to suggest such an absurd possibility. What it amounts to is ‘dunk the witch” because you make the ridiculous implication that the CIA is out to get Bush as much as Nancy Pelosi might be. And your reference to the NY Times is as if it was a known assassinator of presidents.
That’s why Stephen Colbert’s remark at the WH Correspondents Dinner was so to the point: “reality has a well-known liberal bias.”
mak44,
Hi:
That’s why Stephen Colbert’s remark at the WH Correspondents Dinner was so to the point: “reality has a well-known liberal bias.”
“Liberal” can be just as easily replaced with “conservative” and hold about as much water. It was a clever remark, as he is a clever and funny guy, but as far as a defense of liberal reasoning, it fails to cut the mustard.
The possibility does not sound that absurd to Me!not the CIA as a whole mind You, rather a few disgruntled former employees who were dismissed for their ineffectiveness..
There is no “might” as far as miss america goes..
The NYTs has targeted (this) president with leaks and smears since He took office..and that is not a stretch by anyone with a sober view..
Zelsdorf
You wrote: “ The other was,(in reference to a brilliant response on these boards yesterday) if Bush is a Nazi, why are you still free.”
Don’t know to whom you are responding, but I have never called bush a Nazi. I have made references to fascism when elements of that have creapt into discussion here on Wizbang.
You equate Nazism, and likely fascism, with the immediate rounding up of dissenters, and imply, in the abscence of that, the use of the term “nazi” or more appropriately “fascist” is therefore baseless.
I imagine that it would hardly be worthwhile to suggest to a Teuton like yourself that you read over Professor Laurence Britt’s 14 Points of Fascismbut here’s a link:
http://www.ratical.org/ratville/CAH/fasci14chars.html
BTW these 14 points are based on an analysis of commonalities in the regimes of Hitler, Mussolini, Franco, Suharto and Pinochet of the 20th century.
I believe that’ Stupy-Sekrit Agent Double-nought-nothing.
Just for the sake of argument, let’s presume that the Left’s worst scenario is actually true: President Bush tells Karl Rove that Joseph Wilson needs to be destroyed, and the best way to do that is to let it out that his wife is Sooper-Sekrit Agent Double-Nought-14.
Er, don’t you mean the left’s BEST scenario?
The facts are that Cheney wrote the marching orders. Could it be that’s who Fitz is after?
Mak22, you are correct about my heritage as being Teutonic. Did you know that the word Nazi was short for National SOCIALISM? Did you know Hitler was a communist before he became a Nazi? Do not try to indicate any high level of intellectual honesty Mak, not as long as you stand by the Bush lied credo. If Bush did to his enemies as Clinton did to his, I could see the facist point. But he has not. It is unfortunate that your education betrays you.
It looks like Wilson and wife have made out like bandits here, far from being destroyed they’ve cashed in on a book deal, speaking as guests on talk shows and the like. I guess Rove is not as smart as given credit for if this is destroying Joe Wilson?
Herr Zelsdorf
Be sure to click those heels when you address me…
Seriously,
I know what Nazi means or that it was short for National Socialism. Never could understand what the difference was between that and Regional and Local Socialism, for that matter.
W/ out a backup reference from you, I don’t believe that Hitler ever was a communist except for perhaps a fling while at a university.
Now, as to the rest of your post, why don’t you try a little reformulation so that the reader can understand what you want to say.
As to what you said about Bush, Clinton and enemies a little coherence might help to get your point across.
virgo1
When it comes to your comments about the Wilson & priteering, how do you explain Rove’s security clearance for access to the Bureau of Engraving?
I’m a little late with this, but in the spirit of things, and with apologies to Nat King Cole:
Karl Rove roasting on an open fire
Fitzgerald nipping at his nose
Moonbat carols being sung by a choir
And folks dressed up in tin-foil hats.
Everybody knows a subpoena
and some indictments
Help to make the season bright
Tiny Kossacks with their eyes all aglow
Will find it hard to sleep tonight.
They know that Daily Kos is on his way
He’s loaded lots of toys
and goodies on his sleigh
And every mother’s child is gonna spy
To see if those pigs
really know how to fly.
And so I’m offering this simple phrase
To kids from one to ninety-two
It’s been said
many times, many ways,
Merry Fitzmass, to you.
Mak
Is it illegal to have security clearance at the Bureau of Engraving? what are You implying?
I deeply resent all of this nonsense that goes on – the various [vain] attempts to discredit the President of the United States. Apparently all y’all (I’m referring to MAK – among others – now) have forgotten that there is a large group of people out there who want to kill ANYONE in ANY COUNTRY who is not a Muslim (and even some Muslims if they aren’t the RIGHT KIND of Muslim). Why does the left feel it necessary to constantly manufacture frivolous “scandal” – all of which are subsequently proven untrue – which distracts serious people from protecting our nation? I understand that most on the left are physical cowards – but you know what, since we’re protecting our own butts already, we’re willing to protect yours at the same time. But would y’all just shut up and let us get on with the job?
Isn’t the obvious answer that most people already know the real source of the leak of Plame’s name, Dick Armitage, but don’t want to go after him because he’s not considered a neocon?? Isn’t it about that simple since a non-neocon wouldn’t have the same motivation as someone associated with Bush (Rove) or Cheney (Libby)?? IOW, why would Armitage do it?? Given his ideology, retribution against Wilson doesn’t really fit.
After Bob Woodward’s bombshell that he knew about Plame BEFORE Novak’s column, it’s pretty easy to connect the dots.
This whole business that the media does not have to reveal their sources (a rule devised by them) is about the most ridiculouw thing I have ever heard. In other words they are not accountable for what they write. It’s way past time to challenge this “rule”.
That should be ‘ridiculous’.
The facts are that Cheney wrote the marching orders.
Ah, but who told Cheney to wrote those marching orders? That’s what I want to know. Please enlighten us, O tinfoil’ed one!
I understand that most on the left are physical cowards – but you know what, since we’re protecting our own butts already, we’re willing to protect yours at the same time.
There’s only one way to solve this:
I challenge you to a duel!
or
Well, you have bad hair.
seriously, are we in high school?
But would y’all just shut up and let us get on with the job?
This is what happens if we “just let you do your job.”
and this
and this
should I go on?
oh yes sean, please continue with your cleverness. The links are so on point!
What does Tom Delay have to do with Bob Novak or Joe lying Wilson?
Gayle Miller
You wrote: “I understand that most on the left are physical cowards – but you know what, since we’re protecting our own butts already, we’re willing to protect yours at the same time. But would y’all just shut up and let us get on with the job?”
Oh really, and just what are you doing to protect me? The musings of a constipated “paralegal” aren’t doing much in that regard. Who is your “we?” The group of you chickenhawks sending others’ loved ones off to do the dying in Iraq?
I got a question:
Why is it that the shining lights of liberal intelligentsia are…stand-up comics? Can’t they find ACTUAL serious intellectuals to stand up for their pap?
I mean, you might find Stewart and Colbert hilarious and all — but, damn, I’d be embarrassed to reference them regularly.
-=Mike
Gayle Miller again
If you were slightly brighter than a dim bulb, you’d think twice about providing the link to your “musings” of ignorance.
Your post quoting that absurd statement from Al Gore is patently false. Had you googled it, you would have known… but I’m sure you didn’t care -it was just a cheap shot. Your site is just plain crap.
Any lawyer who would tolerate your sloppiness, or worse, your lies, would soon assuredly find himself in a malpractice suit because of your inexcusable malfeasance in research.
Are you sure you aren’t just the toilet cleaning lady at some law offices, because you sure know how to shovel the s_it?
MikeSC
Actually, Mike, we are just envious. What lefty or liberal could top the comedy skit that Bush played as he took the question from Peter Wallsten w/ the sunglasses? You just have a durn good comedian who doesn’t need to be an “intellectualizer.”
Too bad Wallsten is blind.
Hey, I know Bob Novak, and it is obvious that Jay doesn’t.
Only someone who doesn’t know him would ask a damn fool question like, “Why isn’t everyone talking to Bob Novak?”
😉
millco88 ~ Agreed.
It’s always been pretty clear that Novak co-operated with Fitzgerald from the get-go. Two reasons: he was never in legal jeopardy for receiving the leak, and never faced any sanction for refusing to reveal sources.
The reason he doesn’t get questioned about this? Simple: ‘he’s Bob Novak, bitch’.
Adjoran,
That’s why Wilson’s version of the story has always seemed a little fishy. If you go to Tom Maguire’s site, credible theories about Armitage being the source have been around since Woodward’s admission. And since Armitage has always been a go-to guy for Woodward (look at the treatment he and Powell received in Woodward’s books about the Bush administration), being the source of the leak makes a lot of sense.
But Armitage doesn’t fit the profile of someone trying to punish Wilson. It’s more like a guy trying to give Woodward and other reporters an explanation for the obvious disconnect in Wilson’s op-ed — why would Cheney send Wilson rather than someone who was more in line with the neocon world view.
But since Armitage is considered a friend to the press, especially the MSM, exposing him as the leak doesn’t really serve the same purpose as pinning it on Rove and Libby.