Who's behind the Traitorgate?

As Fitzgerald's independent investigation of the Plame leak winds up there's a lot of speculation among Bloggeranians about the outcome. The WaPo dishes this juicy tidbit.

But a new theory about Fitzgerald's aim has emerged in recent weeks from two lawyers who have had extensive conversations with the prosecutor while representing witnesses in the case. They surmise that Fitzgerald is considering whether he can bring charges of a criminal conspiracy perpetrated by a group of senior Bush administration officials. Under this legal tactic, Fitzgerald would attempt to establish that at least two or more officials agreed to take affirmative steps to discredit and retaliate against Wilson and leak sensitive government information about his wife. To prove a criminal conspiracy, the actions need not have been criminal, but conspirators must have had a criminal purpose.

The government has been using this ploy to harass and imprison alleged drug dealers, sometimes on decades old charges, for as long as there's been a war on some drugs. It's good to see it employed against real criminals for a change.
Meanwhile, the WaPo also suggests this disturbing possibility.

What remains a central mystery in the case is whether special prosecutor Patrick J. Fitzgerald has accumulated evidence during his two-year investigation that any crime was committed. His investigation has White House aides and congressional Republicans on edge as they await Fitzgerald's announcement of an indictment or the conclusion of the probe with no charges.

Is that a joke? If they close the Traitorgate without charging somebody with something -- well -- it will bring new meaning to the words angry electorate.

Think Progress has more and so does The Heretik, who offers up some Rat Stew and fronts his post with the most terrifying photoshop ever.