The more I read about the entire "Plamegate" debacle, the more I am struck with an obvious fact -- one that has only been pointed out by far-left elements in their hopeful (and often unrealistic) projections. This obvious fact is that in the White House, like in any other company or institution, decisions are made at the top levels and are then delegated to lower officials. By this, I mean that it is highly unlikely that some mid- or low-level official decided to begin the smear campaign against Wilson that resulted in this whole mess. That type of decision would usually only come from Bush, Cheney, Rove, or one of the very highest officials on par with them.

This is not just hoping that high-level officials will be indicted, since it is probable that higher level officials delegated any illegal actions to lower officials -- that is to say it is highly unlikely Bush, Rove or Cheney actually did any of the dirty work that could get them indicted. But there is no way to claim that this was the result of any "rogue elements" within the administration, or that Libby et al. were acting of their own volition. That isn't how the White House works... there would have to be higher involvement and direction.

Even though it is improbable that Bush or Cheney actually did anything illegal (Rove, on the other hand, is still well within Fitzgerald's crosshairs), the investigation itself is likely to end with Bush or Cheney as the original organizers of the smear attempt. This is why the entire investigation has the potential to cripple Bush's administration, other than the normal leaching of legitimacy from his presidency that comes with any large investigation. People are very excited now about the indictment(s) that have come out and will soon be unleashed, however the most interesting parts of this case may end up having little or nothing to do with any indictable offense.

This is a rare chance for us to look deep inside the administration and their workings in justifying the war in Iraq. Don't make the mistake of tuning out as soon as the indictments are given -- there should be much more to come.