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Dems urge Rove to clear air on leak

BY TOM BRUNE | WASHINGTON BUREAU

July 12, 2005

WASHINGTON - Democrats yesterday pressed White House aide Karl Rove to "clear the air" about his role in the leak of a covert CIA operative's identity to the news media after disclosures that he was a Time reporter's source on that story.

The heat on Rove rose after the White House yesterday rebuffed reporters' questions about his role, citing the special prosecutor's probe - even though two years ago a Bush spokesman called suggestions Rove was involved "ridiculous" and said anyone who was would be fired.

"The prosecutors overseeing the investigation had expressed a preference to us that one way to help the investigation is not to be commenting on it from this podium," White House spokesman Scott McClellan said yesterday.

But McClellan declined to address his own comments two years ago, when he assured reporters that Rove was not involved. Back then he said, "I've made it clear that it simply is not true, and I'm speaking on behalf of the White House when I say that."

Recent news that Time correspondent Matt Cooper's e-mail identified Rove as a source has made Rove the focus of debate about the probe into who leaked covert CIA officer Valerie Plame's name to columnist Robert Novak.

Rove has denied he broke the law and his attorney, Robert Luskin has said that Rove never revealed Plame's name and that prosecutors told him Rove is not a target.

A week ago, Luskin confirmed Rove had talked with Cooper before Novak wrote his column. On Sunday Newsweek reported it obtained Cooper's e-mail to his editor describing his conversation with Rove.

In it, Cooper wrote Rove warned him away from the criticism made by Plame's husband, former ambassador Joseph Wilson, because his CIA trip to investigate claims Iraq sought to buy uranium in Niger was not authorized high up.

Instead, Cooper wrote, "it was, KR said, wilson's wife, who apparently works at the agency on wmd [weapons of mass destruction] issues who authorized the trip."

Many lawyers believe Special Prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald may not be able to prosecute anyone for breaking the law against revealing the identities of covert agents, but may be pursuing a perjury or obstruction of justice charge.

Fitzgerald has pressed reporters into testifying about their talks with administration officials. After refusing, Cooper chose to cooperate. The New York Times' Judith Miller refuses and now sits in jail.

Democrats yesterday went on the attack, some calling for congressional hearings, others for the White House to strip Rove of his security clearance, and Minority Leader Harry Reid (R-Nev.) for his firing.

"Mr. Rove should tell Americans what he knew, when he knew it, and who he may have told about Valerie Plame's identity in order to clear the air once and for all," said Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.).