Rove's non-denial denial

The Raw Story breaks the news that Karl Rove is cooperating with Patrick Fitzgerald, the special prosecutor investigating the leak of Valerie Plame Wilson's classified identity.

TRS reports that Rove has assisted Fitzgerald with backup files of e-mails and other documents that had been deleted from White House computers.

While these sources did not provide any details regarding what type of arrangements Rove's attorney Robert Luskin may have made with the special prosecutor's office, if any, they were able to provide some information regarding what Rove imparted to Fitzgerald's team. The individuals declined to go on the record out of concern for their jobs.

According to one source close to the case, Rove is providing information on deleted emails, erased hard drives and other types of obstruction by staff and other officials in the Vice President's office. Pentagon sources close to Rove confirmed this account.

Luskin issued a "vehement denial" as to whether Rove has cut a deal with Fitzgerald's office, but pay particular attention to the rhetorical construction of his denial.

"Your story is false and utterly without foundation," he said. "There has never been any discussion of any deal of any kind involving Mr. Rove. His cooperation has at all times been voluntary and unconditional."

According to Luskin, Rove's cooperation, including any information he has provided, is "voluntary and unconditional." In other words, it is not part of a formal deal to get Rove off the hook for obstruction of justice or, in the worst-case scenario, for treason. He is cooperating, however, and very likely throwing Scooter under a bus.