Decision ‘08

PlameGate: The John Hannah Connection

The NY Daily News reported today that there was a cooperating witness from Dick Cheney’s office, and Raw Story fingers that witness as John Hannah. From the Daily News:

Cheney’s name has come up amid indications Fitzgerald may be edging closer to a blockbuster conspiracy charge - with help from a secret snitch.

“They have got a senior cooperating witness - someone who is giving them all of that,” a source who has been questioned in the leak probe told the Daily News yesterday.

Now, Raw Story:

Individuals familiar with Fitzgerald’s case tell RAW STORY that John Hannah, a senior national security aide on loan to Vice President Dick Cheney from the offices of then-Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Affairs, John Bolton, was named as a target of Fitzgerald’s probe. They say he was told in recent weeks that he could face imminent indictment for his role in leaking Plame-Wilson’s name to reporters unless he cooperated with the investigation.

Others close to the probe say that if Hannah is cooperating with the special prosecutor then he was likely going to be charged as a co-conspirator and may have cut a deal.

Tom Maguire offers the following, clearly identified as ‘wild speculation’:

Fitzgerald, or his predecessor, explained to Bob Novak that there is no reporter exemption in the Espionage Act, thereby prompting Mr. Novak to fold up like a cheap suitcase and identify his primary source as John Hannah, who received a battlefield promotion when Novak wrote his column.

And the hapless Mr. Hannah, unlike Libby and Rove, really did say “Valerie Plame, operative”. We have no idea how Hannah might have known that, although there does seem to be a thread connecting Hannah, David Wurmser, John Bolton, Fred Fleitz, and Valerie Plame. Since Fred Fleitz also spent time at the CIA, he may have known of Ms. Plame there.

It never pays to be caught off guard, and that’s why you prepare for the worst. I am mentally okay with Libby’s pending indictment (it seems probable), and I’m prepared for Rove’s, though I think it’s less likely and won’t be as devestating as many think (though, God, the gloating that would ensue!). I still think Cheney is a very long shot; still, Republicans would be well advised to thicken their skin for some tough sledding ahead…

UPDATE 8:44 p.m.: How bad is worst case? Larry Johnson repeats the 22 indictment rumors, and speaking of rumors, there was one you’ve probably heard by now that Cheney would resign and be replaced by Condi…