Boy, as far as spin goes, this gets the award for "
worst ever":
The official said that Ashcroft's decision not to recuse himself earlier was a matter of efficiency. "The investigation was moving so quickly that if we had done this earlier, it would have slowed the investigation down," the official said. Fitzgerald could use the same career prosecutors already working on the case if he chooses to, meaning the investigation will not be slowed by the change of authority, he said.
Got that? Recusing himself earlier would've "slowed the investigation down". Too bad the reporter didn't respond with a "what the hell are you talking about?"
But this gets to the heart of the matter, and the reason why the story has gotten serious legs in the few hours since it broke:
An official told Fox News that Ashcroft's decision suggests that some sensitive information has been learned in the investigation. The official added that while the recusal does not mean Ashcroft has a conflict of interest, the attorney general "felt he should recuse himself."
The investigators are on the trail of someone high up in the food chain. And given Ashcroft's strong relationship with Karl Rove, could Turdblossom be in the crosshairs? Ahh, to dream... But at the very least, I can't imagine Liddy Libby not going down.
There really is blood in the water.