SCANDAL! Fitzgerald knew the identity of the leaker from the very first day
BY GREGOR

Via the New York Times:

An enduring mystery of the C.I.A. leak case has been solved in recent days, but with a new twist: Patrick J. Fitzgerald, the prosecutor, knew the identity of the leaker from his very first day in the special counsel’s chair, but kept the inquiry open for nearly two more years before indicting I. Lewis Libby Jr., Vice President Dick Cheney’s former chief of staff, on obstruction charges.

Now, the question of whether Mr. Fitzgerald properly exercised his prosecutorial discretion in continuing to pursue possible wrongdoing in the case has become the subject of rich debate on editorial pages and in legal and political circles.

I already know the answer to this but I’m still forced to ask the question simply to keep my sanity. What exactly is the debate? Why is there a debate? Fitzgerald ought to be brought up on charges of his own and forced to explain himself in front of the same type of grand jury which he used in his attempt to bring down the current administration.

This is one of those situations that are so obvious, so grossly transparent and completely lacking of any defense … yet Bush Derangement Syndrome sufferers remain convinced that there’s still a possibility that it’s all Rove’s fault. Forget the evidence. Forget the admissions. Forget the facts! The facts don’t support the agenda, therefore … ignore them and move on!

Richard L. Armitage, the former deputy secretary of state, first told the authorities in October 2003 that he had been the primary source for the July 14, 2003, column by Robert D. Novak that identified Valerie Wilson as a C.I.A. operative and set off the leak investigation.

Mr. Fitzgerald’s decision to prolong the inquiry once he took over as special prosecutor in December 2003 had significant political and legal consequences. The inquiry seriously embarrassed and distracted the Bush White House for nearly two years and resulted in five felony charges against Mr. Libby, even as Mr. Fitzgerald decided not to charge Mr. Armitage or anyone else with crimes related to the leak itself.

In my opinion, the most amazing part of all of this is that Fitzgerald NEVER CHARGED ARMITAGE WITH ANY CRIME! He found his man! He solved the case and ignored it so he could continue to investigate and indict people he knew to be innocent.

So, what exactly was Fitzgerald’s purpose? What was the agenda here? What were the goals of the investigation if not to find the leaker?

I see two possibilities:
One - Fitzgerald used his position in an aggressive attempt to take down a sitting U.S. President and his administration.
Two - Money and fame. Fitzgerald was getting paid well for this gig, as well as gaining international notoriety. There will no doubt be speaking engagements, and of course … the book deals; all bringing in unlimited financial riches.

My bet is a combination of the two. Fitzgerald knew exactly what he was doing. He knew the stakes, and he knew the impact an investigation of this scale would have on his future, as well as the future of the Bush administration. He simply could not afford to walk out the first day and say … the investigation is over, so he buried it and moved on as if he was uprooting an incredible conspiracy. He actually BURIED it!

(Emphasis on the following is mine)

Mr. Armitage cooperated voluntarily in the case, never hired a lawyer and testified several times to the grand jury, according to people who are familiar with his role and actions in the case. He turned over his calendars, datebooks and even his wife’s computer in the course of the inquiry, those associates said. But Mr. Armitage kept his actions secret, not even telling President Bush because the prosecutor asked him not to divulge it, the people said.

So when will Patrick Fitzgerald be indicted on obstruction charges? When will the Democratic party stand and call for an investigation. Where are the apologies? Nancy Pelosi? Harry Reid? Howard Dean? Waiting ...

Waiting ...

Waiting ...