It’s probably the Alito nomination, but Matt Cooper’s comments on Good Morning America about the Plame leak sound pretty significant (via C&L and Kleiman).
One of the reporters at the center of the investigation into the leak of the identity of an undercover CIA officer, says he first learned the agent’s name from President Bush’s top political advisor, Karl Rove.
Time magazine reporter Matt Cooper also said today in an interview with “Good Morning America,” that the vice president’s chief of staff, I. Lewis “Scooter” Libby, confirmed to him that Ambassador Joseph Wilson’s wife, Valerie Plame, was a covert CIA operative.
So, Karl Rove (once again) was integrally involved with leaking Plame’s name, while Scooter Libby not only knew Plame was undercover at the CIA, but also shared that information with a journalist.
Is Cooper sure?
“There is no question. I first learned about Valerie Plame working at the CIA from Karl Rove,” Cooper said.
Libby has since claimed that he heard the Plame rumors from other reporters. Cooper disputed that version of events. “I don’t remember it happening that way,” he said. “I was taking notes at the time and I feel confident.”
If Bush hadn’t just started a partisan war over a Supreme Court nominee, I’m fairly certain Cooper’s remarks would be a pretty big deal right now.