Wampum

Rumor Mill

Americablog (permanent link bloggered) notes that Karl Rove has been absent from White House functions that he normally attends (such as Mr. Bush’s recent press conference). Speculation is that his absence is the beginning of a process in which the White House distances itself from Rove.

Raw Story reports an unconfirmed rumor that Rove has received a target letter from the special prosecutor:

Word on Capitol Hill is that Rove has received a "target letter," or a letter from the prosecutor investigating the outing of CIA agent Valerie Plame Wilson telling him that he is now a target in the investigation. To date, no reporters have been able to confirm this account.

Radar Magazine reports a rumor that 22 indictments are imminent in the Plame matter:

The D.C. Rumor mill is thrumming with whispers that 22 indictments are about to be handed down on the outed-CIA agent Valerie Plame case.

Many thanks to Susie for the links.

Please take with an appropriate dose of salt unless and until confirmed.

Update: On the rumor that Rove has receivd a target letter, this Reuters report is pretty suggestive:

The federal prosecutor investigating who leaked the identity of a CIA operative is expected to signal within days whether he intends to bring indictments in the case, legal sources close to the investigation said on Wednesday.

As a first step, prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald was expected to notify officials by letter if they have become targets, said the lawyers, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter....Rove's attorney, Robert Luskin, declined to say whether his client had been contacted by Fitzgerald. In the past, Luskin has said that Rove was assured that he was not a target.

No comment from the formerly talkative Luskin speaks loudly, at least to my ear.

Update II: From Editor and Publisher:

Is it the beginning of the end or the end of the beginning? Whatever way you look at it, it seems clear to many in Washington right now that indictments in the Valerie Plame affair will likely be announced soon, possibly on Thursday.

More: Josh Marshall is also reading some tea leaves:

The fact that the president has decided to schedule a "major speech" on Iraq and terrorism, apropos of more or less nothing, would seem to suggest some bad coming down the pike. On the other hand, he seems to schedule these speeches about twice a month nowadays.

Posted by Dwight Meredith at October 5, 2005 10:09 PM | TrackBack