Wilson Admits Wife Not a 'Covert' Agent (CNN Interview transcript)

CNN | 7-14-05 | Wolf Blitzer

[The Old Hoosier]

While many news sources report it as fact, it is very unclear what Valerie Plame's status is/was. Here's the most important part of Wilson's interview from last night. In order to protect himself from criticism about the Vanity Fair photo shoot, the book deal, and his generally self-aggrandizing, self-enriching behavior since July 2003, Wilson admits that his wife was not a covert agent:

BLITZER: But the other argument that's been made against you is that you've sought to capitalize on this extravaganza, having that photo shoot with your wife, who was a clandestine officer of the CIA, and that you've tried to enrich yourself writing this book and all of that.

What do you make of those accusations, which are serious accusations, as you know, that have been leveled against you.

WILSON: My wife was not a clandestine officer the day that Bob Novak blew her identity.

BLITZER: But she hadn't been a clandestine officer for some time before that?

WILSON: That's not anything that I can talk about. And, indeed, I'll go back to what I said earlier, the CIA believed that a possible crime had been committed, and that's why they referred it to the Justice Department.

She was not a clandestine officer at the time that that article in Vanity Fair appeared. And I have every right to have the American public know who I am and not to have myself defined by those who would write the sorts of things that are coming out, being spewed out of the mouths of the RNC...

[Grampa Dave]

Joseph Wilson trying on his new hat.

[Dr.Hilarious]

So has anyone else noticed that this "scandal" has dropped off the radar faster than any scandal in history? AOL isn't even using it on their opening page, and Drudge has several debunking Wilson stories.

DUmmies must look like a cartoon character who's just been walloped, with little stars orbitting their heads and birdies chirping, as they post "What happened???!??!?!?!" and "The evil rightwing NYT is killing this story" and 'I'm ashamed to be an American" threads.

But the next scandal that happens they'll try to kick the football again and shout "THIS IS THE ONE!!!!"

[The Old Hoosier]

I think it's still very much on the radar today.

[tobyhill]

Now doesn't Schumer look like a fool now for appearing with him? Boxer is also an idiot. She said no fewer than 5 times that Rove outed a "covert" CIA Agent. The whole MSM and Rat's talking points was how Rove outed a "covert" CIA agent and that Wilson/Plame's life was ruined but then Liar Wilson contradicts them. I'm noting a very subtle tone today in the Rats, I wonder what gives?

[Fido969]

The MSM *wants* something to be there, although the evidence is overwhelming that there is nothing there.

It's kind of sad, in a way.

[Maceman]

DUmmies must look like a cartoon character who's just been walloped, with little stars orbitting their heads and birdies chirping, as they post "What happened???!??!?!?!" and "The evil rightwing NYT is killing this story" and 'I'm ashamed to be an American" threads.

Well, here's the latest thread on the subject at DUmmie World

[Frank_Discussion]

"I'm noting a very subtle tone today in the Rats, I wonder what gives?"

It's a bg exclusive the NYT is working on: Karl Rove used Jedi Mind tricks to make Wilson lie. Yeah, yeah, THAT's the ticket...

[God luvs America]

I think we ought to get off this fact as to whether or not a crime was committed....even if one was not, which all signs point to, the rats and their shills in the MSM will do anything they can to present our President and Karl Rove in bad light....we really need to concentrate on who told Novak, what the Slimes/Judith Miller are hiding and really bring to the forefront the total hypocrisy of rats like Chcuk Schiester...someone who was mum when Sandy Berger committed a felony crime and voted AGAINST the '82 legislation which made outing a spy a crime....something he hold dear to his heart.

[LRS]

WILSON: Well, it strikes me that it's typical of a Rove-type operation. "Slime and defend" is what it's been called in the past.

"Slime and defend" is a "Rove-type operation"? Even when it's being done by Dims like Durbin, Schumer, etc, etc, etc????? Rove should demand royalty payments from the Dims. He would soon be a billionaire...

But the fact of the matter is, of course, that this is not a Joe Wilson or Valerie Wilson issue. This is an issue of whether or not somebody leaked classified information to the press, who then published it, thereby putting covert operations and a covert officer at some risk.

I thought you just admitted your wife wasn't covert!

[lugsoul]

Okay - I gotta ask the question [glad I still have nomex on], but does anyone really think this says what is being claimed?

In response to the question that Blitzer asked, it looks to me like he is saying "When we had our picture taken, my wife wasn't clandestine because she hadn't been since the day Novak outed her."

Just my read. I tend to think that the answer only means something in context of the question. YMMV.

[ConservativeMan55]

Coburn Lone Opponent On Spending Bill.

[steveegg]

I woudln't hang your hat on this one. Rather, I'd point out that the last time Plame was out in the field as a covert agent was 1997, and thus the 5-year limit on exposing her as such expired long before the presstitutes and Rove began their back-and-forth on this.

[ConservativeMan55]

Wilson is a fraud.

[Dr.Hilarious]

On the political sites, sure, but not nearly so much as in the mainstream. The news channels will still cover it I imagine but the steam is coming out of this sucker fast.

[Michael Barnes]

WILSON: My wife was not a clandestine officer the day that Bob Novak blew her identity.

BLITZER: But she hadn't been a clandestine officer for some time before that?

WILSON: That's not anything that I can talk about.

HAHA..Shades of..

[God luvs America]

Someone from Dickbrains Unanimous with a bit of sense...his parent must be Republicans!

[Andy from Beaverton]

It depends on what your definition of is is.

[newconhere]

God Bless You. How do you go there? I would have to take a shower after reading there stuff. Given that. I definetly like that gents quote.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Schumer looked like a fool when he was in the 1st grade.