The Scooter Libby Trial (impeachment, conspiracy, politicians, money)

[UB50]

Is anyone following this? I've been reading the news recaps almost every day but that's about it.

I'm wondering if this is going to lead to the top -- like Cheney or Bush? I was kind of surprised when Catherine Martin testified and it came out that Cheney dictated what was to be said.

Any comments?

[BlueWillowPlate]

Looks like they are getting into some real facts.
Been reading about Cheney's handwritten notes, the one with "this Pres."
If there really was an obstruction of justice, and if Pres Bush was really involved, it could get quite interesting.

[Dd714]

It's a serious charge for Libby but you have to remember - no one was charged with the original leak after months and months of investigation, that investigation failed because in esense there was no leak, everybody now knows that EVERYONE knew Ms. Plame was a CIA employee. This is an "obstruction of justice" charge - perjury during the investigation phase in other words (that was the best the investigation could come up with), he is not being charged with any type of conspiracy or leaking information. Libby has resigned already from the administration so any political impact is moot.

Yeah yeah reporters and politicians will try to make it a political case, but at this point really it isn't. No impact to the Bush administration.

[HappyandMarried]

Ok - if everyone calls you 'scooter' you should be a nine year old boy who likes to ride on a 'motor scooter'.

[UB50]

no one was charged with the original leak after months and months of investigation,

Just from what I'm reading, I think the leak originated at the top (with Bush or Cheney) and that is why no one has been charged with the leak.

[bigchuckie]

I am more interested in how secret reports are being leaked to the media. The Libby trial is a nonissue and a waste of taxpayer money

[ontheroad]

It is also possible that a shrewd prosecutor can turn this around so that the actual leak becomes more than just a cause celebre for the media.

After all there is ample, growing evidence that this was a cover-up to embarrass a public official.

This could, conceivably lead to another trial, and/or possibly an impeachment. It's been done before.

An update from the WP: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...referrer=email

Originally Posted by Dd714

It's a serious charge for Libby but you have to remember - no one was charged with the original leak after months and months of investigation, that investigation failed because in esense there was no leak, everybody now knows that EVERYONE knew Ms. Plame was a CIA employee. This is an "obstruction of justice" charge - perjury during the investigation phase in other words (that was the best the investigation could come up with), he is not being charged with any type of conspiracy or leaking information. Libby has resigned already from the administration so any political impact is moot.

Yeah yeah reporters and politicians will try to make it a political case, but at this point really it isn't. No impact to the Bush administration.

[UB50]

Here's a link to an interesting article from six months ago. This particular reporter has been "right on the money" regarding grand jury testimony so far. There is a link to his other stories at the end of the article.

http://news.nationaljournal.com/articles/0703nj1.htm

From Cathie Martin's testimony, we now know that Cheney crafted the message for the media personally. If it turns out that Cheney deliberately leaked the name of a covert agent, I wonder what will happen? The trial hasn't gotten far enough along yet to determine this.

[ontheroad]

It is too diffiult to even conjecture what will happen! But what shoud happen is another issue!

Originally Posted by UB50

Here's a link to an interesting article from six months ago. This particular reporter has been "right on the money" regarding grand jury testimony so far. There is a link to his other stories at the end of the article.

http://news.nationaljournal.com/articles/0703nj1.htm

From Cathie Martin's testimony, we now know that Cheney crafted the message for the media personally. If it turns out that Cheney deliberately leaked the name of a covert agent, I wonder what will happen? The trial hasn't gotten far enough along yet to determine this.

[YapCity]

Originally Posted by UB50

Is anyone following this? I've been reading the news recaps almost every day but that's about it.

I'm wondering if this is going to lead to the top -- like Cheney or Bush? I was kind of surprised when Catherine Martin testified and it came out that Cheney dictated what was to be said.

Any comments?

I don't follow it because anyone who allows people to refer them as "Scooter Libby", should be put in front of a firing squad by default, lol.

-TT