White House fears indictment for Libby

Special Counsel Patrick Fitzgerald signalled Thursday he might simply keep Rove under investigation, according to a person familiar with recent developments in the case who requested anonymity because of its sensitivity. That would spare Rove bad news Friday when the grand jury that has heard the case for two years is set to expire.

Speculation flew across Washington about who, if anyone, would be indicted regarding the exposure of covert CIA officer Valerie Plame.

Rove attended the daily meeting of the senior staff and met with the president late in the evening, at the end of a day in which the White House dealt with the withdrawal of Supreme Court nominee Harriet Miers. Cheney's top aide, I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, was said to have passed up the staff meeting to attend a security briefing.

Possible charges are obstruction of justice or perjury, along with possible violations of a law barring disclosure of the identity of a covert intelligence agent.

Some lawyers have raised the spectre of broader conspiracy charges as well.