“has been engaged in a furious effort to convince the prosecutor that Rove did not commit perjury during the course of the investigation, according to people close to the aide. The sources, who indicated that the effort intensified in recent weeks, said Rove still did not know last night whether he would be indicted.”

just rented some extra office space, Steve Clemons reports. Clemons has retracted his report.

Hotline says Time Magazine’s Mike Allen “has some of the best sources in Washington.” Here’s what he had to say about the leak scandal tonight on Hardball:

MIKE ALLEN: A lot of activity happening that we’re not seeing. A likely scenario for what happened today, Patrick Fitzgerald got some indictments from this grand jury. He is now able to go to the”¦

CHRIS MATTHEWS: You think they’re sealed right now?

MIKE ALLEN: Very possible. What I’m told is typically, in a case like this, he could get the indictments and now he can go to the targets and say, you can plead to these or I’ll go back Friday and get more. You have 12 to 24 hours to think about it.

CHRIS MATTHEWS: And he can give them a little Whitman Sampler of suggestions pleading to the charge of obstruction or perjury or”¦

MIKE ALLEN: I can add a bunch of counts. You can take a couple of counts or we can do a bunch more.

Later on Olbermann, The Washington Post’s Jim VanDeHei (who also has “some of the best sources in Washington“) assures us the wait is almost over: “I do not think we’ll see any extension of this grand jury. We will know on Friday what’s going to happen here.”

Joe Wilson called into question Bush’s assertion in the 2003 State of the Union that Iraq was seeking nuclear material in Niger. Astoundingly, the right still argues that the administration’s smear campaign against Wilson was justified because Bush’s claim may have been correct. Here’s the latest from the Weekly Standard’s Stephen Hayes:

First, it is far from clear that Bush’s claim has been invalidated by postwar inspections…And the British review of prewar intelligence (known as the Butler report) concluded that the claim was–and remains–solid.

Actually, the Butler report didn’t conclude that. It’s review of prewar intelligence included the claim was unfounded. Here’s the relevant bit (pg. 124):

“Based on through analysis, the IAEA has concluded, with the concurrence of outside experts, that these documents, which formed the basis for the reports of recent uranium transactions between Iraq and Niger, are in fact not authentic. We have therefore concluded that these specific allegations are unfounded.“

Of course, what would you expect from the guy who is still pushing the theory that Saddam Hussein had a collaborative relationship with al-Qaeda. (Note: Copies of Hayes book on the subject are now available for 96 cents)

later this afternoon, according to former UPI reporter Richard Sale.

“White House to fold on Davis-Bacon?” Hotline blog: “Yes.“

From the AP: “The federal grand jury investigating the leak of a CIA officer’s identity met for three hours Wednesday with Special Counsel Patrick Fitzgerald and adjourned for the day without announcing any action…There was no word on whether Fitzgerald planned to make any announcement or whether the grand jury planned to meet again.”

George W. Bush, 10/15/01:

Watch in QuickTime Streaming

Transcript:

Let me say a few words about important values we must demonstrate while all of us serve in government. First, we must always maintain the highest ethical standards. We must always ask ourselves not only what is legal, but what is right. There is no goal of government worth accomplishing if it cannot be accomplished with integrity.

Second, I want us to set an example of humility. As you work for the federal government there is no excuse for arrogance, and there’s never a reason to show disrespect for others. A new tone in Washington must begin with decency and fairness. I want everyone who represents our government to be known for these values.

No annoucements from Fitzgerald expected today, CNN reports.