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Wednesday, October 26, 2005

Today in Speculation

Posted by on October 26 at 12:40 PM

If the web rumors are correct, today will be the last day of pure speculation regarding the CIA leak case, and tomorrow we will actually know something. Please God, let it be so. If I have to read one more Raw Story “DEVELOPING HARD” report without a climax soon to follow, I’m going to call Fitzgerald and admit to the crime myself, just to get some closure.

Also: Am I the only one having flashbacks to Election Day 2004? Today feels eerily similar, with its congealed conventional web wisdom, the way that this web wisdom points toward bad news for Bush, and the way liberals are so giddy with anticipation. I’m just sayin. And now…

TODAY IN SPECULATION

* Let’s start with the mainstream media speculation, which is now about 12 hours old. The New York Times, fresh from pointing the finger at Cheney’s office, today says Fitzgerald is turning his attention back on Rove. The LA Times concurs and includes the first mention I’ve seen in the MSM of the explosive Italian forgeries angle. And the Washington Post says Fitzgerald had FBI agents out questioning Plame’s neighbors last night, perhaps a sign that Fitzgerald does intend to indict someone on the charge of explosing a CIA agent’s identity. (How you feelin now, Sen. Hutchison?)

* But fast forwarding to now, and to the blogs, Raw Story has the juciest news, reporting that when the grand jury convened today, Fitzgerald asked it to indict both Rove and Libby on perjury and obstruction of justice, and Libby for outing a CIA agent. Also, Raw Story says Rove turned down a plea deal yesterday, and that two people outside the White House are likely to be indicted along with Libby and Rove.

* And Richard Sale, who is said to be very reliable, concurs with the notion that indictments are coming today, but says Fitzgerald is far from finished, and that he’s asked for a new grand jury to be empaneled when this one expires.

*Meanwhile, back in the MSM world, the AP reports that the grand jury has now adjourned for the day.

After the grand jury left for the day, federal prosecutors conferred for about an hour in the grand jury area of the federal courthouse.

There was no word on whether Fitzgerald planned to make any announcement or when the grand jury planned to meet again.

Keep checking the Slog to find out what this all means for The Stranger’s…

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