The link between Cheney and Woodward is the key faultline to concentrate on.

The question that tops all others is the one you have zoned in on: If Cheney spoke to Woodward (or to any other SAO on the understanding that SAO would convey the essence to Woodward), as time when Cheney knew that Plame was undercover, then Cheney is in jeopardy as a result of the information being passed on.

Note the cautious phrasing of Woodward’s references – dates fudged or not precise; attribution of not classified to the other person – these bear the hallmarks of lawyers who have focused on the main elements which need to be proven under the various statutes, and who have carefully charted a course for their client to follow so as to avoid blundering over any of the tripwires.

Do not expect Woodward to go into more detail on these issues until/unless he is called as a witness: if he speaks, these will be dead zones in his speeches, because to go there imperils him and the people he is protecting.

And there can be no doubt that those people in high places he is protecting, are starting to sweat now. There is just too much room for error.

If Fitzgerald takes further steps against Woodward, and has leverage based on inconsistencies, what will Woodward do? Will he do a Miller and go to jail? Or will he cooperate? He certainly is a player now, not an observer, and certainly is not out of the woods yet.

So much for hunkering down ..

Best choose a dungless spot to hunker down if you start playing with people who plan to break serious laws, such as outing covert agents …

Booby Woodward had three Senior Administration Officials for his Bush book project. One has been identified, Andy Card, who has been crossed off the list leaving two. As much as I would like it, the President isnÂ’t one of them. He is the subject of BobbyÂ’s adulation.

BushÂ’s Brain is WoodwardÂ’s second source. Karl Rove would never pass up the chance to shine favorable media on number uno. But, Karl is political and he hadnÂ’t learned about Mrs Wilson early in June 2003. Stephan Hadley as CondiÂ’s assistant is way too far down the food chain for Booby and he wasnÂ’t writing about Condi. Hadley didn’t become a Senior Administration Official until he replaced Condi.

Karl Rove flipped Booby. This explains why Woodward finally told his colleagues at the Post just prior to the indictment coming down. He had heard the Karl was maneuvering to hold up his indictment. Karl knew WoodwardÂ’s sources in the Administration and knew with whom Woodward had discussed Ms. Wilson early in June. Karl Rove had to stay as BushÂ’s Brain so he threw WoodwardÂ’s third source, VP Dick Cheney, Deep Throat II, to the prosecutorial wolves.

After reading the comments here this a.m. I’m left with only one comment.

Woodward had to have known that a list of *reporter(s)* involved in the outing included his name … or he would have eventually been named. Makes sense to me that he was simply playing for time because of his book (follow the money), but, alas, was informed he’d definitely been outed very recently. My guess is that he’s been in touch with all the suspects to see if he still had time to complete the new book.

His silence became, even in his eyes, his downfall so there was even more reason, in his eyes, to keep quiet. What to do? Still, looks to me like he didn’t expect to become the subject of inquiry for a long time. Maybe he’s never visited Colorado when the Aspens are turning?

All these mysterious, last minute appearances by unnamed people, and then resulting remembrances by varied people …. all this is understandable if you place it against a backdrop of canaries singing singing singing, to plea bargain.

So, unlike Deep Throat’s admonition to Woodward to “follow the money”, in this new suspense who-dunnit, we should “follow the singing”.

Just who is cutting a deal with Fitzgerald to save his or her skin?

And, just how many canaries are singing right now?

tra la la

Swopa — Kobe is one spoiled little bastard.