This is going to be the new GOP talking point, following their standard "up is down" patented methodology.
The "perjury is a technicality" talking point went down in flames quickly. Why? because Clinton was impeached on this same "technicality."
They can't say Libby's crime doesn't matter, but they can say he lied to protect national security. (Up is down, remember.)
Unlike Clinton, who lied to protect his sordid sexual behavior, Libby lied for unselfish, indeed patriotic, motives.
The talking heads like Chris Mathews are already edging toward this.
And the contrast with Clinton will fall right into place: Clinton lied for sordid, petty reasons.
Libby lied for patriotic, noble reasons. He lied because the prosecutor was going to expose national security secrets.
Repeat 2000 times on Fox, CNN, MSNBC.
And that will give Bush the room to pardon him.
You read it here first.