E-mail (we consider “right-wing bellwether” a compliment around here by the way–just in case you follow the link):
“The key fact that Libby lied about, at least according to the Indictment, is not merely what he discussed with reporters. The Indictment’s central allegation is that he lied about when and how he learned that Plame worked for the CIA.
Libby claimed (to the Grand Jury and the FBI) that he learned of it for the first time during his July 10 conversation with Tim Russert. The Indictment, however, lists multiple occasions prior to July 10 when Libby was told that she worked for the FBI (including in early June with the Vice President). It also lists multiple occasions prior to July 10 when Libby told others (including Ari Fleisher on July 7) that Plame worked for the CIA.
This was a crucial fact in the investigation – when Libby learned about Plame’s CIA employment. And the Indictment lists numerous facts showing Libby lied about this when he told the GJ and FBI that he learned of it for the first time on July 10. THAT is the crux of the Indictment.
See here for more details, documentation and elaboration on this point.”