Interesting piece in Salon today by John Dean, suggesting that Joseph Wilson & his wife file a civil lawsuit over Ms. Plame's being identified as a CIA operative:
So let me share a bit of history with Ambassador Wilson and his wife. And, well aware that gratuitous advice is rightfully suspect, let me also offer them a suggestion -- drawn from some pages of Watergate history that till now I've only had occasion to discuss privately. Long before Congress became involved and a special prosecutor was appointed, Joe Califano, then general counsel to the Democratic National Committee and later a Cabinet officer, persuaded his Democratic colleagues to file a civil suit against the Nixon reelection committee. And that maneuver almost broke the Watergate coverup wide open. In seeking justice from the closed ranks of the Bush White House, Wilson and Plame should follow a similar strategy.. . . .
Few appreciate the significance of this lawsuit in the unraveling of Watergate. It has been largely overlooked by history. A few years ago, I told Joe Califano about the impact his lawsuit had: Within the White House, it was considered one of the most difficult problems to deal with during the investigations of Watergate. The FBI was no problem -- no one has to talk to an FBI agent. And no Department of Justice is going to haul White House aides before a grand jury. But a subpoena demanding the production of documents, or an appearance to give testimony under oath at a deposition -- that was a serious threat. It also troubled the FBI and Justice Department, keeping them on their toes. It was remarkably effective.
I'm not a lawyer, but I thnk Dean makes a persuasive argument for this strategy. Filing a civil lawsuit would make an end run around Ashcroft/Bush's unwillingness to appoint someone independent to look into the matter. As Dean argues, it would also give Wilson and his wife a more active hand in pursuing the matter. Aside from getting at the truth, I would think that this would drive the Bush folks bananas.
Posted by Jason at October 3, 2003 08:56 AM