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October 18, 2005
Fitzgerald Poised To Drop Bombshells
While the country at-large worries about Iraq, gas prices, the cost of healthcare, and in at least a few towns, playoff baseball, inside the Beltway Washington seems consumed by a brewing scandal that may reach high up into the White House.
As independent counsel Patrick Fitzgerald wraps up his investigation, numerous indictments seem likely in the Valerie Plame leak matter. Beltway chatter speculates that as many as 22 current and former officials may be implicated, including Karl Rove, I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, and Vice President Cheney himself. Indictments are expected as early as tomorrow, though nobody knows for sure.
Today's Washington Post sheds light on the Vice President's office's ongoing feud with the CIA over pre-Iraq War intelligence, and its likely involvement in the Plame leak itself. It also takes aim at NYT reporter Judy Miller's implausible statement that Libby never discussed Plame's identity with her. The piece is a must-read.
Washington is bracing for a good old second-term scandal -- a la Watergate, Iran-Contra & Monica Lewinsky -- and with President Bush already in a precarious political position, it seems he can ill afford more bad news right now.
While it's tempting to grab the popcorn and get ready to watch a real political thriller, the country has so many problems right now, it's just unsettling to think about further distraction from the pressing issues of the day.
Of course, Fitzgerald and his team must get to the bottom of what happened, since the public trust was very likely abused by some administration officials. But we take no joy in this unfolding drama. Once more one simply shakes one's head and asks, what the hell has happened to America?
Posted by houtopia at October 18, 2005 06:49 PM