Jumping the Gun

Maybe I'm jumping the gun here, but I've been thinking about Karl Rove and, if he is punished for leaking Valerie Plame's name, what should happen to him. I think this is one of those situations where simply removing him from the administration would actually be doing him a favor. He'll still have access to the president. He'll still be just as valuable a political advisor. Simply put, taking away his job will do nothing but put Rove in a situation where he could make many millions of dollars in the private sector while continuing to do what he's been doing (minus a security clearance, of course). However, an indictment would certainly get Rove's attention. If he were actually faced with jail time, that would counter the notion of Rove being rewarded for his behavior. Of course, I doubt he'd serve any serious jail time, as Bush would likely pardon him. But a felony conviction would disqualify Rove with respect to many opportunities he would have open to him if he were dismissed from the administration and relegated to the private sector.

Fitzgerald is certainly in a tough position. Politically, he doesn't have much to gain from this situation. Prosecuting Rove would end his days as a Republican. Doing any less would earn him condemnation from the left and from many moderates as well. Hopefully, he'll wrap up his investigation soon so we can start learning about any critical facts that haven't yet been released (or leaked) to the public.

Yes, I know I'm jumping the gun here. Rove hasn't been tried and convicted. But unless something comes out in the investigation that resolves him of responsibility, I think he put national security (and a woman's life and career) at risk to achieve a political objective of the administration. I guess we'll see.