Karl Rove: What We Know

Here is a synopsis of what is known so far about Karl Rove's involvement in the outing of a CIA agent.

1. Rove in fact was Time journalist Matthew Cooper's source. Rove, through his lawyer, has admitted that he spoke with Cooper and disclosed that "Wilson's wife (Valarie Plame) was a CIA agent working on WMD. The GOP is trying to weasel out by saying that Rove "was only trying to dissuade Cooper from writing a bad story," except that:

2. Rove in fact violated Executive Order 12958, which clearly states: "I will never divulge classified information to anyone" who is not authorized to receive it"

It goes on to also state: "Before ... confirming the accuracy of what appears in the public source, the signer of the SF 312 must confirm through an authorized official that the information has, in fact, been declassified. If it has not, ... confirmation of its accuracy is also an unauthorized disclosure"

Rove did not confirm through an authorized official.

3. The GOP doesn't see this as a problem. The man outed a CIA agent, and broke an Executive Order signed by President Bush, and instead they see it as a joke. To them as Rep Peter King put it "No, in fact, I think Karl Rove should get a medal..."