Rove and dagger

Having been outed this weekend as the leaker of Valerie Plame's identity, Karl Rove has begun to slither: "He always starts his evasions by parsing language and law. Rove's attorney has quickly conceded that his client spoke to Matt Cooper of Time, and other reporters. This is the presidential advisor sending forth his minions to frame the ensuing discussion," writes James Moore.

'Of course, I talked to the reporters,' the reasoning goes, 'I've got the same First Amendment rights in the White House as every other citizen.'

Positioning is Rove's favorite political sport and that's the purpose of this admission. It's a metaphorical 'so what' shrug of the shoulders. But the subtext of Rove's words shows another strategy. The presidential advisor undoubtedly knows he is guilty of a federal crime but, for obvious political reasons, he needs it to be something less than treason. Perjury will be his default position. The political harm to be done to his president and his party for a conviction of treason is incalcuable." (Huffington Post)