NY Times: Indictment For Libby, But Not For Rove

The Drudge Report links to a new New York Times article with breaking news (well highly-researched speculation, anyway) on the Plame investigation, with Fitzgerald's announcement for indictments and/or an extension of the grand jury planned for tomorrow. They report that it appears Scooter Libby will definitely be indicted on perjury charges (and maybe more). It does not seem Karl Rove will be indicted right away, though he will remain under investigation. Either way, tomorrow's the big day.

The Times article:
Aide to Cheney Appears Likely to Be Indicted; Rove Under Scrutiny

Associates of I. Lewis Libby Jr., Vice President Dick Cheney's chief of staff, expected an indictment on Friday charging him with making false statements to the grand jury in the C.I.A. leak inquiry, lawyers in the case said Thursday.

Karl Rove, President Bush's senior adviser and deputy chief of staff, would not be charged on Friday, but would remain under investigation, people briefed officially about the case said. As a result, they said, the special counsel in the case, Patrick J. Fitzgerald, was likely to extend the term of the federal grand jury beyond its scheduled expiration on Friday.

As rumors coursed through the capital, Mr. Fitzgerald gave no public signal of how he intended to proceed, further intensifying the anxiety that has gripped the White House and left partisans on both sides of the political aisle holding their breath.

Mr. Fitzgerald's preparations for a Friday announcement were shrouded in secrecy, but advanced amid a flurry of behind-the-scenes discussions that left open the possibility of last-minute surprises. As the clock ticked down on the grand jury, people involved in the case did not rule out the disclosure of previously unknown aspects of the case.

White House officials said their presumption was that Mr. Libby would resign if indicted, and he and Mr. Rove took steps to expand their legal teams in preparation for a possible court battle.

Among the many unresolved mysteries is whether anyone in addition to Mr. Libby and Mr. Rove might be charged and in particular whether Mr. Fitzgerald would name the source who first provided the identity of a covert C.I.A. officer to Robert D. Novak, the syndicated columnist.

And there's where we stand for tonight.

And now the blogs explode with last-minute speculation...