AP: Rove, Libby Discussed Reporter Info

ABC News ^ | oct. 19, 2005 | JOHN SOLOMON

[avital2]

you forgot the part where Wilson made it sound like he went to Niger at Cheney's request (rather than at Cia's request)- kind of an important piece!

[newzjunkey]

Oh no! The indictments haven't come today! We must find another angle on this story to keep it alive. (sarcasm)

Pretty soon they'll be reporting rumors of Condi becoming VP when Cheney resigns. Hey, wait a minute... ;)

[Shermy]

"In testimony shown to Rove, Libby stated that numerous journalists appeared to have learned about Plame's identity in the period before her name was published and that he and Rove talked to each other about their contacts with reporters.

Libby's testimony stated that Rove had told him about his contact with Novak and that Libby had told Rove about information he had gotten about Wilson's wife from NBC's Tim Russert, according to a person familiar with the information shown to Rove.

Prosecutors, however, have a different account from Russert. The network has said Russert told authorities did not know about Wilson's wife's identity until it was published and therefore could not have told Libby about it.

Prosecutors also have evidence that Libby initiated the call with Russert and had initiated similar contact with another reporter, Judith Miller of The New York Times, several weeks earlier. Miller was jailed for 85 days before agreeing to testify before the grand jury."


Hmmm...Russert.

Here's NBC's spin:

"During the interview, Mr. Russert was asked limited questions by Special Prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald about a telephone conversation initiated by Lewis "Scooter" Libby, Vice President Cheney's Chief of Staff, in early July of last year. Mr. Russert told the Special Prosecutor that, at the time of that conversation, he did not know Ms. Plame's name or that she was a CIA operative and that he did not provide that information to Mr. Libby. Mr. Russert said that he first learned Ms. Plame's name and her role at the CIA when he read a column written by Robert Novak later that month."

"operative" "role" so Russert did talk to Libby about Plame. Just not by name.

[blogblogginaway]

During one of his grand jury appearances, Rove was shown testimony from Libby suggesting the two had discussed with each other information they had gotten about Wilson's wife from reporters in early July 2003.



Rove responded that Libby's testimony was consistent with his general recollection that he had first learned or government officials who had talked with reporters. Rove testified that he never intended any of his comments to reporters about Wilson's wife to serve as confirmation of Plame's identity.

Rove "has always clearly left open that he first heard this information from Libby," said one person directly familiar with Rove's grand jury testimony.

This is what many of us speculated originally..........that is was reporters who mentioned Plame's name to people in the WH, not the other way around.

My guess is this info. has come from either Rove or Libby which is not against the GJ rules. My guess is they are fuming over the twisted spin on leaks coming from the left wing America hating Bush hating liberals

[BurtSB]

Consider the source , this is a well known AP media-crat named john soloman . He wrote nothing but Bush hit pieces during the 2004 election !
the source of this gossip is the new Harry Reid "war room" that was set up last year !
this group is a war room which has been in charge of the
spreading lies thru there comrades at AP, CNN, ABC....
This Reid war room has led the charge in the Delay charges, Frists charges , Armstrong investigation.
The Mediacrats are ruthless and Reid is as evil as it gets and he wants POWER by any means !!!!
The Republicans need to play hard ball or get screwed by a sea of phony investigations and allegations !!!

[Perdogg]

Rove was asked by the prosecutor not to discuss his testimony in public.

If that's the case, then it is probably likely that Rove is not the Target.

[Wild Irish Rogue]

" Rove told grand jurors .....according to people familiar with his testimony. "

Unless " people " is a euphemism for Karl Rove or his attorney- this is a federal crime .
Criminal contempt or obstruction of justice.
Maybe Fitzgerald should clean up his own house before going after the White House.

[BurtSB]

Consider the source , this is a well known AP media-crat named john soloman . He wrote nothing but Bush hit pieces during the 2004 election !
the source of this gossip is the new Harry Reid "war room" that was set up last year !
this group is a war room which has been in charge of the
spreading lies thru there comrades at AP, CNN, ABC....
This Reid war room has led the charge in the Delay charges, Frists charges , Armstrong investigation.
The Mediacrats are ruthless and Reid is as evil as it gets and he wants POWER by any means !!!!
The Republicans need to play hard ball or get screwed by a sea of phony investigations and allegations !!!

[Perdogg]

ping

[fantom]

it seems to me it has been a leakfest since day 1 .

[Shermy]

Did Miller say she ever discussed Wilson's wife with Libby before Wilson's article?

Because here it's clear Russert told Libby about the wife. Russert's "explanation" dances around what he said as to her "role" and does not deny he mentioned to Libby Wilson's "wife" - at least not by proper name.

[Shermy]

"This is what many of us speculated originally..........that is was reporters who mentioned Plame's name to people in the WH, not the other way around."

Or not her by name, but as "wife".

[okie01]

"operative" "role" so Russert did talk to Libby about Plame. Just not by name.

It appears that it was common knowledge in media circles that Wilson's wife was at CIA and was responsible for sending him to Niger.

Could it be that Robert Novak was the only reporter in Washington with enough functioning brain cells to pick up a copy of Who's Who and turn to Wilson's biography, where he would find the magic words: ...the former Valerie Plame?

It sure looks that way...

[the_Watchman]

" before Plame's CIA cover was blown "

The MSM just keeps repeating this untruth without end. The affidavit filed by CNN, CBS, et. al. stating that Plame's "cover" was already blown shows what liars they are.

[ClaireSolt]

This is getting so extreme that I figure no one is paying attention. It is a desparate attempt to get ratings. The same goes for O'Reilly and his ranting and raving about gas prices.

[AmishDude]

undercover CIA officer

She was not undercover. Whatever she might have been classified, one thing it was not was "undercover".

[blogblogginaway]

Miller claims she and Libby met 3 times in '03.....June 23, July 8 and July 12. Wilson's column was published July 6.

Miller claims ....

"My notes indicate that well before Mr. Wilson published his critique, Mr. Libby told me that Mr. Wilson's wife may have worked on unconventional weapons at the C.I.A."

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/16/national/16miller.html

[Perdogg]

I think we should sort of recap where we are:

• It has been basically admitted by fitz's office that IIPA doesn't apply in this case. So no indictment of Rove and Libby.
  
  
• People who talk about a Section 793 indictments are high.
  
  
• It's not against the law, to "conspire" to discredit Joe Wilson. Any legal actions to do this cannot be met with conspiracy charges.
  
  
• Obstruction of Justice. There has been no evidence that this occured. In fcat Rove and Liddy have been very cooperative.
  
  
• Perjury - I don't know how many times I have posted this. If I hear this again, I am going to slap someone. Neither Rove nor Liddy will be indicted on this one.
  
  So What can they be charged with?

[blogblogginaway]

"So What can they be charged with?"

Perhaps it is not "they" who could be charged.

[Perdogg]

So recap your theory for me, who will be indicted?