What Should Happen To Karl Rove--3

I don’t know if leaking Valerie Plame’s name to the press actually constitutes a crime. As I understand it the law is written in such a way that whoever was the leak may not be guilty of a crime—just poor judgment.

“To be considered a violation of the law, a disclosure by a government official must have been deliberate, the person doing it must have known that the CIA officer was a covert agent, and he or she must have known that the government was actively concealing the covert agent's identity." Washington Post

I also don’t know if Karl Rove did it. I am having trouble figuring out which conservative argument is the one they have decided to go with—he didn’t do it, he did it but he’s not the only one, he only kinda did it, or he did it but it’s not a crime.

What I think is a pretty safe assumption is that Karl Rove was involved--somehow.

So, let’s assume that whatever he did wasn’t actually a crime, but was in fact poor judgment. What should happen to Karl Rove?

Before you answer, keep in mind that the President and his people have repeatedly said that if the leak were found and was someone in the White House they would be fired.

Oh and to see that  this is not the first time Karl Rove has opened his mouth and put his foot in it visit MyDD or this interesting site. Apparently, Mr. Rove and Mr. Novak have a history and it has already cost Rove one job.

The conservatives are doing there thing. You can read it at  Michelle Malkin, Powerline or National Review Online. Or visit Salon for the other side.

Please do not miss this. Mr. McClellan had a bad day.

It seems that at this point the right is focusing on the technical side of the law, the fact that lots of people knew Plame worked for the CIA, and the credibility of Mr. Wilson. If only they had used that laser beam focus when we were talking about blow jobs in the white house the investigation might have cost a lot less and taken a lot less time.

The bottom line is whoever did it—leaked Plame’s name—regardless of Mr. Wilson’s credibility or who already knew, used poor judgment. The White House has acknowledged that it wasn’t happy about the leak and that they would deal with it appropriately. Seems to me, Mr. Rove should be fired.

Not a big deal. Just a punishment or consequence for poor judgment. It happens all the time--or it should.

Chris

Comments

[Rita]

If indeed Carl Rove leaked the name, then he should be fired. But, how many people in Washington knew the identy of this women? I am sure there were plenty, Washington is so quick to stab others in the back, and that is everyone in the government. If he did, it was bad judgement on his part, and people should stop putting their foot in their mouths in Washington.

[steve]

I think I will apply the Dimocrat standard, and say "so what?" So he did this, big deal. We don't really care. We are doing politics the Dimocrat way.

Now that my facetious side has been appeased, if he did out the spook, his head should roll, but the republicans should retain him as a political strategist, since he is giving the Dimocrats fits.

[Phoenix]

Nothing will happen to Colonel Karl. He'll skate through this unscathed. The man is too brilliant not to have covered his tracks.

[Capitalist Infidel]

Chris

I'm not sure if your lying to your readers or have spent too much time on liberal websites. Here is what Bush said

If there’s a leak out of my administration, I want to know who it is. And if a person has violated the law, the person will be taken care of.
– George Walker Bush September 30th, 2003

I know those little pesky facts are an impedement to liberals but does "violated the law" mean anything to you?

And as for Clinton, you do know that he committed perjury, that's why he had to give up his law license? Not to mention the obstruction of justice and subourning(sp?) perjury.

Now, the consensus with the rational and clear thinking people which includes liberals and conservatives alike there was no crime committed cause you can't leak a name when Judy freakin Woodruff admitted she knew Plame worked for the CIA.

If Rove lied to the grand jury then absolutely he should not only be fired but should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Theres something we never heard from any democrat after Clinton committed 3 felonies.

[Chris]

Um Cappy? If you actually read what is above you would see that I said that I didn't think Karl Rove committed a crime. And Scot McClellan--who speaks for President Bush and the White House did in fact say that if anyone from the White House was involved they would be fired. In any case, during a time of war one should err on the side of caution and not out in any way someone who may be a covert operator for the CIA. Karl Rove used poor judgment and should be fired. And yes, I am aware that Bill Clinton committed perjury, what is your point? If you are going to yell at me, that's great but could you not accuse me of lying when I didn't?
Chris

[Chris]

McCLELLAN: The president has set high standards, the highest of standards for people in his administration. He's made it very clear to people in his administration that he expects them to adhere to the highest standards of conduct. If anyone in this administration was involved in it [the leaking of Plame's identity], they would no longer be in this administration.

The quote is for you Cappy. I'd like to take this opportunity to point out that if the same set of circumstances applied to a Democrat you would accuse him or her of treason in a heartbeat.

Chris

[Lisa]

Capster.......

You know damn well the Babes don't lie. Come on dude, that was not nice.

What I find interesting in this whole situation is... why would the NY Times not allow the reporter who is in jail divulge the name of her source? Who are they protecting? Certainly not anyone in the Administration. It's got to be someone on the left....maybe even someone pretty high up on the left.

[Capitalist Infidel]

Lisa

I'm sorry, how does "misinformed" sound? I had to laugh though, I present a quote from Bush and Chris presents a quote for some guy named McLlellen. I think I'll believe what Bush said.

[Lisa]

Thank you Cappy....much nicer.