Karl Rove: Abusing the First Amendment and Using Reporters

Editor and Publisher: America's Oldest Journal Covering the Newspaper Industry ^ | (July 05, 2005 | Bill Israel

[HEY4QDEMS]

The problem with this whole episode is that Rove never requested anonymity from either of the reporters in this case.

He had already testified to the investigative committee that he had spoken to them and several other reporters "on the record"

He is also adamant that he at no time revealed Ms. Plame's name or even hinted it, and I believe him.

[cyncooper]

But the Valerie Plame-CIA case that threatens jail time for reporters from Time and The New York Times this week is the exception that shatters the rule. In this case, journalists as a community have been played for patsies by the president’s chief strategist, Karl Rove, and are enabling him to abuse the First Amendment, by their invoking it.

Well, the problems with this fellow's working theory are numerous, (of course he's clearly blinded by hate hence the intellectual dishonesty), but let's start with the fact that Rove has signed a waiver releasing reporters from any confidentiality agreements meaning he has set them free to reveal what he told them.

And of course, he did not reveal Plame's role in sending her husband to Niger. He did indeed discuss it after he learned about it.

[cyncooper]

As flawed as they are, the NYT is more than likely interested in protecting the use of anonymous sources in general, not the WH in particular.

Except when they're Bob Novak's anonymous sources. Then they demand Novak spill the beans and identify the dastardly source.

Right?

[cyncooper]

I'm sorry..I find it hard to believe that these two rat reporters(given the chance) would not *out* Rove if he was the leaker....someone convince me if I'm wrong

You're not wrong. Even if they truly were standing on principle that they would never reveal a source whoever it may be, Rove has signed a waiver releasing reporters from any confidentiality agreement.

Besides, Rove had no way of knowing about Plame's role or even Wilson going to Niger until he saw Wilson's op-ed, so it doesn't appear possible he was in possession of the information even had he wanted to "leak it".

Also, it hasn't even been established Plame was covert at the time or for many years, so whoever disclosed her role likely did not break any laws.

[listenhillary]

but let's start with the fact that Rove has signed a waiver releasing reporters from any confidentiality agreements meaning he has set them free to reveal what he told them.

I missed this. Is there a source?

[Eva]

Bill Israel is so delusional that this article is actually funny. Rove must get a real kick out of reading this stuff.

[NHResident]

Absolutely NOTHING is actually TAUGHT at U Mass - Amherst (or any other campus) - remember this is the STATE University system that went ballistic over the attempt to impose a requirement that students maintain a C average to remain in good academic standing at the schools. On at least one campus, located in a large city in the eastern part of the state, the faculty publicly stated they would lose well over 50% of their students. Of course, this was before the really dramatic efforts at grade inflation of the late 90's.

I wouldn't hire any graduate of U Mass w/o really carefully examining their abilty to rationally reason.

[cyncooper]

The Rove Factor?

excerpt:

He did say that Rove himself had testified before the grand jury "two or three times" and signed a waiver authorizing reporters to testify about their conversations with him.

~snip~

[Republican Red]

Jonah Goldberg of NRO seems to be in the know about who the real leaker is.

http://corner.nationalreview.com/

July2: PREDICTION [Jonah Goldberg]
Rove didn't do it. But, as Glenn Reynolds notes, the possibility will cause many liberals to have a second case of whiplash (the first being their sudden disapproval of the investigation they essentially started when it became clear that the Times and Newsweek would get ensnared). Now that it seems possible Rove did it, many will suddenly re-fall in love with Patrick Fitzgerald. And if the person I *think* did it, did in fact do it, we will see even more plastic-collared liberals in the weeks to come.
Posted at 08:29 AM


July 5: ROVE ETC [Jonah Goldberg]
I've gotten a lot of email from over the weekend asking me who I think the Plame leaker was if I think it wasn't Rove. I'm sorry to say I can't say until I get a green light to say. But I'm working on it. And, it's not a just wild guess. I could be wrong but my confidence is high.

[cyncooper]

He's just guessing even if he does say it's not just a wild guess.

[bfree]

Using the stupid media, LOL!!! I love it. These pseudo intellects are amusing, their leftwing garbage can't handle it. The whining continues.

[bfree]

Using the stupid media, LOL!!! I love it. These pseudo intellects are amusing, their leftwing garbage can't handle it. The whining continues.

[Texas Songwriter]

Was Valerie Plame ever a covert operator?

[papertyger]

This reminds me of the BS cartoon show 'American Dad' which portrayed Karl Rove as 'Emperor Palpatine' from 'Star Wars'. What will the Left stoop to next?

And then right afterwards "Family Guy" portrayed Dubya as an infant in the oval office.

That butt plug Seth MacFarland has seen his last dime he'll ever get from me!

What an utter tool.

[yellowhammer]

"...And if the person I *think* did it, did in fact do it, we will see even more plastic-collared liberals in the weeks to come. "

Anyone know what Jonah means by "plastic-collared"?

[Miss Marple]

I believe he is referring to the neck brace worn by whip-lash victims. (See old pictures of Teddy Kennedy after Chappaquidick.)