Been following the approaching indictment of Karl Rove quite closely. I've been outraged about the Plame case since 2003 and am relieved to see that Fitzgerald seems to have stuck with it.

The Daily Show had a great wrap-up of it last night. One of my favorite bits was Colbert talking about journalism, er, whooooore-nalisma! And Jon, of course, observing that the White House press corps, going after Scotty McClellan, had been replaced by real reporters! Imagine!

TPMCafe has a post by Larry Johnson (who worked with Plame) on the real damage that Rove's profligate spewing of classified information has done.

Billmon sums up the spin that the Bush sycophants are deploying in an attempt to divert attention from the fact that this White House deputy chief of staff cares more about political revenge than national security and the business of responsible governing.

Hahaha! Did I just say "responsible governing" and "this White House" in the same sentence? Some days I really crack me up.

And, look over here! A decent Democratic response (if a bit muted because they can't seem to get their television blowhards *cough*Biden*cough* to keep to any reasonable set of talking points). Senator Harry Reid:

I agree with the President when he said he expects the people who work for him to adhere to the highest standards of conduct. The White House promised if anyone was involved in the Valerie Plame affair, they would no longer be in this administration. I trust they will follow through on this pledge. If these allegations are true this rises above politics and is about our national security.

Democratic Party Statement:

George Bush campaigned as someone who would "restore honor and integrity" to the office of the Presidency. As President, George Bush told his senior staff that they must "avoid even the appearance" of ethical violations. Recently it has become clear that this was all empty rhetoric. Karl Rove, one of Bush's closest friends and Senior Advisor potentially violated the law when he disclosed the identity of an undercover CIA agent. Ever since the leak was announced in 2003, the White House has defended Karl Rove. They have called the claims Rove was the leak "ridiculous." At the same time George Bush was saying that if there were a leak, the leak would be "taken care of" and criminal charges would be filed. Now, President Bush has a tough choice to make: does he protect the man who constructed his rise to power, or does he keep his promise to the American people?

Senator Frank Lautenberg:

Karl Rove has accused liberals of not understanding the consequences of 9-11, but he's the one who blew the cover of a covert CIA agent. The President should immediately suspend Karl Rove's security clearances and shut him down by shutting him out of classified meetings or discussions.

The excuses offered by Karl Rove's lawyer don't pass the laugh test. Naming someone's spouse is the same as naming them. And as a 31-year veteran of politics, Karl Rove should know that if you want to keep a secret, you don't tell a reporter.