As most of us expected, Karl Rove is not being charged in the CIA leak case he has been under scrutiny for since 2003. In an exhaustive investigation into who leaked the name of CIA operative Valerie Plame to the press, Rove was among many political figures brought into question.

And while many of us would like to see Rove get locked away for something (insanity? Annoyingness?) today is just not that day. The New York Times offers a political analysis on the topic:

The decision not to pursue any charges removes a potential political stumbling block for a White House that is heading into a long and difficult election season for Republicans in Congress.

Mr. Fitzgerald's decision should help the White House in what has been an unsuccessful effort to put the leak case behind it. Still ahead, however, is the trial of Vice President Dick Cheney's former chief of staff, I. Lewis Libby Jr., on charges for perjury and obstruction of justice, and the prospect that Mr. Cheney could be called to testify in that case.

Yes, where one stumbling block for the republican party is removed, there are at least three more people in line, just waiting to trip over themselves.

Leak Counsel Won't Charge Rove, Lawyer Announces [David Johnston, New York Times]