Meaning: The quote you provided is a reference to a significant event in American political history known as the Valerie Plame affair. This scandal unfolded in 2003 and revolved around the revelation of the identity of a covert CIA officer, Valerie Plame, by members of the Bush administration. The quote specifically mentions the involvement of Karl Rove, a prominent political strategist and Deputy Chief of Staff in the George W. Bush administration, in the events leading up to the disclosure of Plame's identity.

In the quote, Michael Isikoff, a renowned journalist, is summarizing the acknowledgment made by Robert Luskin, who served as Rove's attorney during the investigation into the leak of Plame's identity. Luskin confirmed that Rove had spoken to journalist Matt Cooper towards the end of the week prior to an article being published, with the specific timeframe being July 10 or 11. This statement is significant because it implicates Rove in the events surrounding the disclosure of Plame's identity and sheds light on the timeline of his interactions with the media.

The Valerie Plame affair originated with an op-ed published in The New York Times on July 6, 2003, written by former Ambassador Joseph C. Wilson IV. In the article, Wilson criticized the Bush administration's use of intelligence concerning Iraq's alleged pursuit of weapons of mass destruction. Wilson's op-ed was significant because it directly challenged the administration's justification for the invasion of Iraq, which was a highly contentious issue at the time.

In response to Wilson's article, there was a concerted effort within the administration to discredit him. This effort culminated in the leaking of Valerie Plame's identity as a CIA operative to several journalists, including Robert Novak, who eventually published her name in a column on July 14, 2003. The revelation of Plame's identity was widely seen as an act of retaliation against Wilson for his criticism of the administration's Iraq policy.

The leak of Plame's identity prompted a significant investigation, led by special prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald, to uncover the source of the disclosure and determine whether any laws had been violated. This investigation ultimately led to the indictment of Lewis "Scooter" Libby, Vice President Dick Cheney's chief of staff, on charges of perjury, obstruction of justice, and making false statements to federal investigators. Libby was convicted in 2007, though his prison sentence was later commuted by President Bush.

Throughout the investigation, Karl Rove's involvement was a subject of intense scrutiny. The quote you provided captures a crucial moment in the timeline of events, as it confirms Rove's communication with journalist Matt Cooper in the days leading up to the publication of the article that revealed Plame's identity. This communication raised questions about Rove's potential role in the leak and his knowledge of Plame's status as a covert CIA officer.

The Valerie Plame affair had far-reaching implications, sparking debates about government accountability, freedom of the press, and the ethical conduct of public officials. It also underscored the complex relationship between politics, national security, and the media. The quote you provided serves as a reminder of the intricate web of interactions and disclosures that characterized this high-profile scandal, and it underscores the enduring relevance of transparency and integrity in government and journalism.