I believe I have spotted the Republican talking point du jour–Orrin Hatch on CNN just spend several minutes fudging the distinction between covert and classified.

My understanding is that in 2003 Valerie Plame Wilson was not actively engaged in any covert operations (I could be wrong), yet her status with the CIA was classified. My understanding is that this classification was necessary to protect the identities of agents still in the field that Plame Wilson had worked with in covert operations in the past. There has been testimony that when Plame Wilson’s identity as an agent was revealed, some foreign governments worked backward to figure out what other people associated with Plame Wilson in the past might be CIA agents.

The rightie noise machine is trying to put out the meme that Wilson was not covert in 2003; revealing her status at the CIA was not a crime.

This is from page 3 of today’s indictments:

Joseph Wilson was married to Valerie Plame Wilson (“Valerie Wilson”). At all relevant times from January 1, 2002 through July 2003, Valerie Wilson was employed by the CIA, and her employment status was classified. Prior to July 14, 2003, Valerie Wilson’s affiliation with the CIA was not common knowledge outside the intelligence community.

Yet Hatch on CNN babbled on: She wasn’t covert. Therefore, “outing” her was no big deal. Expect the Right Blogosphere to pick up this point and run with it.

Page 2 of the indictment makes it clear that Libby was obligated not to disclose classified infomation:

As a person with such clearances, LIBBY was obligated by applicable laws and regulations, including Title 18, United States Code, Section 793, and Executive Order 12958 (as modified by Executive Order 13292), not to disclose classified information to persons not authorized to receive such information, and otherwise to exercise proper care to safeguard classified information against unauthorized disclosure. On or about January 23, 2001, LIBBY executed a written “Classified Information Nondisclosure Agreement,” stating in part that “I understand and accept that by being granted access to classified information, special confidence and trust shall be placed in me by the United States Government,” and that “I have been advised that the unauthorized disclosure, unauthorized retention, or negligent handling of classified information by me could cause damage or irreparable injury to the United States or could be used to advantage by a foreign nation.”

Watch out for usage of the words covert and classified over the next few days..