WATERGATE II?

Rumors are flying in Washington and across the Internet. Apparently begun from within the Bush administration and reported by such outlets as the Washington Post and US News, the speculation that Vice President Cheney is about to resign, because he is facing indictment in the Plame affair. As of close of business in Washington on Tuesday, other rumors (with sources claiming knowledge of the investigation) put the number of Bush administration figures who might be indicted as soon as tomorrow at 22. It could decimate the Bush administration more thoroughly and faster than the attrition of the Nixon administration in Watergate.

This time a single investigator working in secret could unleash this scandal on a relatively unsuspecting public. Though new media outlets have been involved, they have mostly been responding to subpoenas rather than leading with investigative reporting. The Washington Post gained credibility from its Watergate reporting. This time, the New York Times has suffered massive blows to its credibility because of the continuing involvement in the scandal itself of one of their reporters.

Like Watergate, it breaks while the administration is already reeling from an unpopular war and its imperious attitude. Nothing is certain yet, but when rumors like this are flying and given credence, something is up.