Plame Gate ..... Rove aids to testify .....

[Spider]

Stakeout at the "CIA Leak" Grand Jury

by susanhu
Tue Aug 2nd, 2005 at 12:30:52 PM EDT
So, who's been testifying?

Based on ABC News sources (and our own video camera) it appears that at least two witnesses testified before the grand jury last Friday, both close associates of Karl Rove.

ABC News has learned that one was Susan Ralston, Rove's long-time right hand. The other, per ABC News' Jake Tapper, was Israel "Izzy" Hernandez, Rove's former left hand (and now a top Commerce Department official). It isn't clear if either had been asked to testify before last week. (The Note)

"The appearances of Ralston and Hernandez suggests at least part of the focus [by special prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald]," writes The Note, "remains on Rove, although his attorney tells ABC News that he still believes Rove is not a target of the investigation."

First, who is Susan Ralston? Thanks to a DKos diary posted by Jesselee on July 2, 2005, we know a bit more ...

: : : MORE BELOW : : :

SUSAN RALSTON:

... [Jack Abramoff's] ties to the White House extended well beyond money. When top Bush adviser Karl Rove was looking for an assistant in early 2001, Abramoff suggested his own top aide, Susan Ralston. She remains one of Rove's top deputies. At the same time, Bush tapped Abramoff as member of his Presidential Transition Team, advising the administration on policy and hiring at the Interior Department, which oversees Native American issues. (MSNBC, via Jesselee's diary)

(Note: Jesselee's diary was promoted by Armando to the front page on July 2.)

So Susan Ralston used to work for Jack Abramoff as his "top aide," and now works for Karl Rove as one of his "top deputies."

The Note adds -- as somewhat of a "let's play nice now after staking out the grand jury":

[Spider]

http://www.boomantribune.com/story/2005/8/2/123052/6027