conversation is important, and here Novak's testimony does NOT help:
It appears the timing of the Luskin-Novak conversation is crucial to the Rove defense. Novak said she does not recall the precise date but said she talked with Luskin in January, March and May 2004. She wrote that she believed the talk probably took place in May.
A lawyer close to the case said Luskin has contended the conversation happened before Rove's first appearance before the grand jury in February 2004, when he testified he did not recall discussing Plame with Cooper. Luskin refused to comment. A spokesman for the Rove defense said in a statement that Rove is cooperating and that private discussions with the prosecutor will not be discussed publicly.
One possible explanation of why the date is so important is that Luskin could contend it would have been foolish for Rove to try to cover up his role when he knew -- as a result of Novak's disclosure to Luskin -- that a number of people knew he had talked to Cooper and that it probably would soon become public.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/12/11/AR2005121100400_2.html