still spinning rove and libby

jeralyn:

"Reading between the lines (of the NYT article) from a legal standpoint, here's how I interpret this, and remember, it's just speculation: Fitzgerald is done. All that's left are the pre-indictment plea deals. He's previously made deals with John Hannah and David Wurmser. Now he's offered them to Rove and Libby. As I've said before, it's their "come to Jesus moment." I suspect both will accept the best deals their lawyers can negotiate. Rove will fall on his sword to protect Bush, and Libby will fall on his to protect Cheney.

More people will be offered deals - particularly those involved with the initial disclosure of Valerie Plame's identity. Novak's source may be one of them. Walter Pincus's source (whose identity is also known to Fitzgerald) could be another. This group might also include some current or former State Department officials - perhaps Deputy National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley, who was part of the White House Iraq group.
[snip]
I suspect Fitzgerald is spending this week in plea negotiations with the lawyers for those he is considering indicting. There could be one indictment next week that includes the negotiated charges. Or, Fitzgerald could charge those that agree to deals by Information, with the grand jury charging only those, if any, who reject his offers."

with respect to jeralyn, i think she's reading the article incorrectly. david johnston has been doing a pretty good job - but there's very little in this NYT article except some spin from lawyers and friends of libby and rove - and the headline is misleading as well: "Cover-Up Issue Is Seen as Focus in Leak Inquiry"

The article says: "Among the charges that Mr. Fitzgerald is considering are perjury, obstruction of justice and false statement..." etc - but it also goes on later to mention the espionage act (which isnt capitalised for some reason.)

the interesting thing is that the lawyers are bothering to try to spin it at all - what can they possibly gain? the whole "fitz hasnt decided anything yet" line has been a mandatory inclusion in every article on this story for a month - they are only setting themselves up on the low-expectations front - i guess the best that they can hope for is to try to keep their reputations somewhat intact for another week or so.

i guess it just shows how far they are off their game - which is a joy to behold.