is what they’re calling this… event, this possibility, this as-yet undefined Schroedinger’s cat of liberal joy, the flood of indictments to come from Special Prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald. We’re indulging in theories, and the one that passes the smell test on plausibility while still reeking slightly of fun is a nugget from Josh Marshall about Fitzgerald’s inquiries into the provenance of the forged documents that connected the yellowcake trail from Niger to Iraq.
Then there’s this fun bit from the LA Times about Scooter Libby’s unholy obssession with Joe Wilson. We love it. Whatever happens, this is going to be the funnest newsy week ever. But what are we missing? Tell us in the comment thread.
(link to Josh Marshall is broken–an extra quote mark at the end)
1) Since the Independent Counsel law expired in 1999, one would expect the Bush Admin. to be relieved that the Dems did not have the ability to launch an “uncontrolled” investigation and indeed that has been the modus operandi.
2) Recall it was actually Dep. Atty Gen. James Comey who appointed Fitzgerald when John Ascroft recused himself. (http://writ.news.findlaw.com/dean/20040106.html) Comey has since resigned. The investigation is self-initiated within the Executive – Justice Dept.
3) Fitzgerald turns out to have teeth – much to the dismay of the White House and the great relief of the impotent Dems. Nevertheless it must be extremely uncomfortable for Fitz.
4) To my mind, the real question is not “what did they know and when did they know it?” – that was determined when Ashcroft resigned. Nor is it: “How can we counter this attack by the Dems?” – that was put to bed when the investigation came out of Justice. It’s “why didn’t the undertaker get this skeleton buried?”
More questions:
Why was the decision made to avoid a coverup? Ashcroft backed out early. The “source” has given the “reporters” liberty to reveal his name in the investigation. Is there a chosen fall guy – Libby perhaps? falling on his sword to protect Cheney?
Is it now possible that this strategy won’t work? Is it possible that US foreign policy “allies” are in for a drubbing as well?
I keep waiting for the rug to be pulled out from beneath Fitzgerald. Why hasn’t that happened? National Security could be invoked. Executive Privilege could be invoked. None of this has happened. Will Cheney take the fall for Bush ultimately?