Internet reporting is not yet an accepted form of journalism, nor is it yet an oxymoron. So the following two developments could be unconnected. More than a week ago, a Web-based writer reported of the imminent indictment of Karl Rove in Plamegate. Obviously that has not happened.
But more than two months ago, the same writer reported that Scooter Libby had discussed Valerie Plame in June 2003 with two CIA officials, including the man the agency would fire as its chief counterterrorism officer. Our fifth story on the COUNTDOWN, today's "New York Daily News" reported that Scooter Libby had discussed Valerie Plame in June 2003 with two CIA officials, including the man the agency would fire as its chief counterterrorism officer.
As to the Daily News article, one has to wonder why they reported two month old news that had previously been reported by Jason. Is the paper spearheading the rehabilitation of Jason Leopold?
Also, check out the difference in the description of Jason's career between Howard Kurtz's WaPo columns Monday and Tuesday. In Monday's column, Kurtz brought up all the previously reported details of Jason's checkered past. In Tuesday's column, he is described far more favorably.
Now Truthout has backed off, at least partially, from the story by reporter Jason Leopold, who has had some credibility problems in the past (as he acknowledges in a new book) but has also worked for such news outlets as the L.A. Times and Dow Jones.
One more item on David Schuster's report Monday that Rove's lawyers say an Indictment could come at any time. Rove's lawyer Bob Luskin has told me, "Schuster has been reporting on the 'Rove legal team's' views for some time without ever talking to me, which is an interesting accomplishment."
Jason was on Wisconsin Public Radio yesterday (listening link here, program 5/23m)discussing his story for 45 minutes. At the end, he says he has no regrets. He also had some excellent praise for TalkLeft's coverage of the story (about 37 minutes in). Notwithstanding my writing up Team Rove's negative attacks on his journalism and their complete denials of his article's accuracy, Jason has told me several times he believes I've been very even-handed in my reporting.
While the grand jury is meeting today, I don't know if the Plame case is on the agenda. I'm not expecting any announcements. But then again, this case has been full of surprises.