THE GRIM OVERHANG

What seems clear is that Fitzgerald did not believe he had enough evidence to prove that Libby knowingly outed a covert agent’s identity. Once again: It’s the cover-up, not the crime. They never learn. But of course, unraveling cover-ups can reveal crimes that might otherwise have remained unknown. And this particular cover-up begs many other, major questions. Why did Libby put himself in so much unnecessary jeopardy? If Libby had nothing to hide, why lie in the first place? What did Cheney know? Who is “Official A”? These questions may be addressed in the remaining work that Fitzgerald says he has to do – or be ferreted out by the press. Some might think that it’s good for Bush to avoid a Rove indictment now. I’m not so sure. Having this drag on – having Libby in a position to name others in a trial or plea agreement, having Rove still under a legal threat – is a terrible burden for the White House to bear indefinitely. I’d say this looks like the very beginning of something, rather than the end. And that, in itself, is crippling.