If it is nevertheless true, however -- an important "if" -- then a Pandora's box gets opened by asking this question: if the White House was willing to commit an overtly illegal act in dealing with such a piddling matter, what lines have they crossed on not-so-piddling matters? In other words, if this turns out to be true, then suddenly do all of the crazy conspiracy theories acquire a thin veneer of surface plausibility?

Josh Marshall points out that of course the administration knows who the leakers were, has known for months, and could and should take action on their own, but for some reason didn't feel that committing felonies disqualified you from serving in top sensitive positions in the US government....also, Marshall picks up on other point which quite a few of you suggested - who the hell told these two White House officials, who may or may not have proper clearance, about Wilson's wife in the first place? This likely goes deeper than two people.