The Plame Name Game trial -- an interlude

Ari Fleischer, former White House press secretary, testified today that Scooter Libby, Cheney's former chief of staff, told him that Joseph Wilson's wife (Valeria Plame) worked at the CIA on July 7, 2004. Here's how one blogger who is covering the trial described Fleischer's testimony:

Fl my plans what I was going to do in the private sector. Talked about sports, football, both fans of the Dolphins. I don't remember if I brought up or Libby brought up the briefing. I said I got asked about Wilson. I said what I was asked by the OVP to say. What I recall Libby saying to me, reiterated that VP did not send Wilson. Amabssador Wilsongot sent by his wife, she works at CIA, Works in CPD, I recall that he told me her name. This is hush hush this is on the QT.

This is interesting on two levels. First, it directly contradict's Libby's story under oath (he claims he learned it 3 days later from Tim Russert, and then promptly forgot that he learned it. Seriously.) Second, note that Fleischer was told "Ambassador Wilson got sent by his wife . . ." You can see the obvious smear campaign beginning to take shape.

I'm having a hard time imagining how Libby is going to avoid conviction. But I'm also having a hard time imagining why Bush wouldn't pardon him -- with 30% approval, what's he got to lose?

Also -- Ari Fleischer is a Dolphins fan?