Reply #73: Let's take this one more step - Martin discussed Plame w/VP and Libby

[leveymg]

on 07/12, but that was after Libby told Miller about Plame on 07/08. But, here's the kicker - Cathie Martin may have been Pincus' source, but Pincus didn't publish the story, Novak did. Even though Pincus didn't publish, the conspiracy involving Cheney, Libby and Martin was still carried out, and could be prosecuted. Is it going to be prosecuted?

Here's some well-formed speculation by emptywheel:

thenexthurrah.typepad.com/the_next_hurrah/ contributoremptywheel/index.html

We also know that Cathie participated in a strategy session with Libby about how to respond to press inquiries about Plame. Given that she had this strategy session with two superiors, Cathie may have felt obliged to carry out whatever strategy Dick and Libby and she devised on July 12. (Cathie's participation in this strategy session makes me strongly suspect she might be Pincus' July 12 source.)

So here's my supposition. In one form or other, Libby may have ordered Ari and Cathie to leak information relating to Plame. Of course, if they did, then both have an incentive to come clean with Fitzgerald, get immunity, and testify against Libby. If I'm right, Libby could just claim that they're lying to avoid their own guilt. It's a similar strategy to the one I think they were attempting against Ari last summer.

But as soon as he does that, Fitzgerald can start building the case for a conspiracy to out Plame.

March 01, 2006 at 15:11 in Bush/Republican Scandals, Contributor--emptywheel | Permalink