The
New York Times is reporting that several officials of the Bush administration spoke with the FBI without consulting attorneys. Powell was among these. (I suspect that Powell was the source of this piece; he seems to be leaking like a racehorse). This would certainly increase the possibility of Section Ten Oh Ones ("False Statements") for those folks. The article has a pretty good time line of the
political trench warfare, Washington-style, an early exchange in what would become an enduring conflict over the administration's use of prewar intelligence.
But in the enthusiasm of the campaign to discredit Mr. Wilson, someone would expose the real job of the diplomat's wife, Valerie, a C.I.A. officer who had worked under cover for two decades, hiding her position from even close friends and relatives.
There follows a pretty good timeline of events in the second week of July, 2003, with a good roster of who was where and what is known about who talked with whom. Straightens out some Republican talking points. All in all quite a good piece, compliments Fitz.
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The piece makes it sound as though Tenet's speech was written by WH pols:
Back at the White House, Mr. Rove and Mr. Libby had been at work all week, along with Ms. Rice's deputy, Stephen Hadley, helping to craft a statement that was issued on Friday by George Tenet, the C.I.A. director. Mr. Tenet did precisely what the White House needed...
Doesn't exactly sound like Tenet was giving the whole story....or am I reading too much into this....