The PR case for and against Libby debunked

Carol D. Leonnig, reporter for the Washington Post, has today published an article debunking five myths about the exposure of Valerie Plame Wilson as a covert CIA officer. This is a shocking publication. Doesn't Ms. Leonnig understand that mere reporters of the mainstream media (her own Washington Post foremost among them) exist only to publish the spin of powerful political players and must never, never, never commit the gaffe of (shudder) debunking the spin their betters at public relations firms? It makes you wonder if she shouldn't turn in her communications degree in journalism.

In any case, here are five myths that have been repeatedly spread since "Scooter" Libby was convicted. Ms. Leonnig is much to polite to call them what they are - lies and bamboozlements:

1. Valerie Plame wasn't a covert operative.
   
   
2. Karl Rove would have been indicted in the Plame case if it hadn't been for all the destroyed evidence.
   
   
3. Libby didn't leak Plame's identity.
   
   
4. Bad press doesn't get under Cheney's skin.
   
   
5. The White House would fire any administration official who leaked classified information about Plame.

When you read those bamboozlements, go read the explanation for each that Ms. Leonnig has published. Each is quite revealing, and each fits with the real evidence that has been published - mostly in the back of newspapers where no one will see it. You know, some page like, Oh, maybe Page B-03. Somewhere in the guts of the paper and out of sight. Just a number I chose at random as an example - or maybe the page this article was published on this morning.

I can't help but wonder if either the misplaced Fred Hiatt (Editor - Editorial Page) or the similarly misplaced Debra Howell (Omsbudsman) at the Washington Post have read her article. It certainly doesn't support the obfuscations they have been publishing in the same newspaper. I suspect she waited until they had each left the building before submitting this article for publication.