This morning's "leak" from Karl Rove's attorney, Robert Luskin asserting that he has received "formal" notice from Special Prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald that he "does not anticipate seeking charges" against Rove, may well go down in the history books as one of the most clever deceptions ever perpetrated by a lawyer and a politico.
How So? The rationale would be this:
Rove agreed to provide testimony for the prosecution of Irving "Scooter" Libby, thus earning and receiving the conditional "does not anticipate" letter.
Rove gets the freedom to keep working at the White House on the critical effort to retain GOP control of the House and Senate in November's elections, with the burden of worry over an impending indictment lifted from his shoulders, and with full confidence that Libby's lawyers will be successful in delaying any trial beyond 2006.
After November 7, Rove will renege on the agreement and fight a renewed battle of delay, with the comfort of knowing that in a worst-case scenario he will be the beneficiary of a Presidential Pardon.
You almost have to admire the cleverness. Apparently, little Karl was paying attention during Watergate and learned well the lesson of "modified, limited hangout" !
stephenhsmith 13Jun2006
