Monday, May 15, 2006 | The Rove Indictment Mystery
NOTE: SFGate has this update: http://snipurl.com/qi68
Detroit Free Press adds this: http://snipurl.com/qi8o
WE ARE in an eerie moment of radio silence relating to the indictment of Karl Rove. For those who have been following this case for nearly three years, this is a tense moment because so much is hanging on its outcome, and on the investigation of special counsel Patrick Fitzgerald. Fitsgerald is investigating the conduct of White House officials in lieu of the Department of Justice -- which recused itself from the case early on due to conflict of interest. In other words, if the Justice Department handled it, it would basically look bad, so a special prosecutor was named. If you recall, he has secured the indictment of Scooter Libby, the former chief of staff of Vice President Dick Cheney.
As the Scorpio Full Moon passed overhead, http://truthout.org published an article by Jason Leopold [see below] reporting that Rove had, in fact, been indicted by the Grand Jury for at least two crimes in connection with the coverup of the leaking of a covert agent's name as political revenge against her husband, Joseph Wilson. But there has been no announcement of the indictment, and no other media (alternative or mainstream) has published these facts, that I have seen. Now articles are beginning to appear questioning whether he really was indicted -- even though the initial news was not published.
A reader writes in from Washington State with this excellent analysis, relating to an AP article immediately below:
"I hope you enjoy this article as much as I did. There is Rove, at a conservative think tank, actually allowing his words to be recorded and transmitted to the world. Right at Bush's side, his partner, his compadre, there to the bitter end. Now why would Rove appear today, of all days? And which small court are his lawyers appearing in, in an attempt to block the Grand Jury investigation in any way possible. Bush, Cheney and company are pushing forward as if everything is perfecto - no problems. But let us be realistic. How many times has Rove ever appeared in print, making statements - and so very visible and available to the news media. And what is exactly going on in the White House, and how much panic is really whipping around those hallowed corridors? I think fear is probably so thick right now, we could actually smell it if we were there. Or is it just a stick your head in the sand attitude, no one can touch me, I am one of the chosen ones. I don't believe in the absolute premises of karma, but I do believe we have opportunities to make choices in our lives, and the people involved are now going to have to live with the choices they made."
Here is the article she is referencing:
Rove Blames Iraq War for Low Bush Numbers
By TOM RAUM, Associated Press Writer
Monday, May 15, 2006
WASHINGTON - Presidential adviser Karl Rove blamed the war in Iraq on Monday for dragging down President Bush's job approval ratings in public opinion polls. "People like this president," Rove said. "They're just sour right now on the war."
Rove said that Bush's likeability ratings are far higher than his approval ratings. "There is a disconnect" because of the Iraq conflict, Rove told the American Enterprise Institute.
"I think the war looms over everything. There's no doubt about it," Rove said during a question-and-answer session after a speech on the economy at the conservative think tank.
Rove, who is deputy White House chief of staff and Bush's top political adviser, brushed aside a question on his own role in the federal CIA-leak investigation, saying he would not go beyond statements by his attorney. "Nice try," Rove told the questioner.
On the economy, Rove credited the president's fiscal policies, particularly a series of first-term tax cuts, for a recovery that has gone on since late 2001. "The reality is, the tax cuts have helped make the U.S. economy the strongest in the world," Rove said.
He said the president in his address to the nation Monday night would propose "a comprehensive solution" on immigration, including tougher border enforcement.
Asked about criticism from some conservatives for his proposal for a guest worker program, Rove said, "This is about getting the right policy, and the politics will take care of themselves."
"I mean, we've seen this about four or five times before in American politics, and it's always seemed to work its way out politically, and I'm confident this will as well," Rove said.
"You'll hear the president talk tonight about steps that we're going to take to increase our security along the border immediately and to deal with the other part of it, which is we will not be able to secure the border unless we have a temporary worker program," Rove said.
The presidential adviser, widely credited with securing Bush's win in 2000 and re-election in 2004, was questioned about public opinion polls that show the president's plunging approval ratings. A recent AP-Ipsos poll showed Bush approval at 33 percent. Other national polls put it around 30 percent.
"Well, you know, it's interesting, because consumer confidence is relatively high. In fact, it is much higher than the average of the last 40 years," said Rove, who argued that typically should lead to a gain of congressional seats for Republicans in November's midterm elections.
"Their personal circumstances are good. They're feeling good about where they are. They don't like gas prices. Who likes having to pay more at the pump? But they do feel that overall the economy is good for them, that the prospects for their family in the near term and for the future are good," Rove said of Americans.
"They're worried about the long haul. They've heard about the problems with Social Security. They're worried about globalization. But they're confident about where they are right now and where they find themselves," he added.
Rove accused the news media of being too fixated on polls.
"I love this mania which has swept through American media today which substitutes polls for coverage of substance," he said.
"There's, I'm sure, going to be a special Betty Ford addiction for those that are addicted to regular poll numbers, but you'll work your way through it," he said, referring to the former first lady's clinic for treating substance abuse.
Despite low approval ratings, "I'm sanguine," Rove said. "I know our own polls."
He said that Bush's likeability, his personal approval ratings, were in the 60s in some polls. "Job approval is lower. And what that says to me is that people like him, they respect him, he's somebody they feel a connection with, but they're just sour right now on the war. And that's the way it's going to be."
Rove spent about half an hour taking questions from the audience, including some from reporters. ++
Jude from Political Waves adds: David Corn tried to nail him in the q & a at this discussion earlier Monday...
http://thinkprogress.org/2006/05/15/corn-rove
CORN: David Corn from The Nation Magazine on a different subject. Scott McClellan told the White House press corps, many who are here today, that he had spoken to you and you were not involved in the CIA leak. Can you explain why the American public, almost two and a half years later, hasn’t been given an explanation and don’t you think it deserves one for that misinformation because it does seem you were to some degree, though maybe disputed, involved in that leak?
ROVE: My attorney Mr. Luskin made a statement on April 26th. I refer to you that statement. I have nothing more to add to it. Nice try, though.
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