I know, we'll be called hypocrites by the Dems. for thinking this an 11th air reach by Fitgerald to find something to justify his 2 years on the federal payroll. But the difference is, perjury was never the main focus of this investigation but in the Lewinsky matter it was. It wasn't just some last minute charge cooked up by Starr based on a faulty memory to find something to make an impeachment referral on. It was at the heart of Clinton's crimes as president.
That being said if it can be proven what Libby said was both MATERIAL and an INTENTIONAL ACT TO DECEIVE, then he should pay the price. But that's going to be a mighty hard case for Fitzgerald to prove. Memories about obscure figures and what was said in minor conversations 2 years ago fade easily.
Anyway, prosecutors typically do this when they can't indict on the main or original charge. I saw it happen to a friend of mine totally innocent of any wrongdoing. They accused him of "playing with the truth" to cook up a perjury charge when he was cleared of over 60 other charges and they couldn't get him on anything else. This is typical prosecutorial abuse and typical of the prosecutor's mindset of "They're all guilty. Now we just have to find them guilty of something.
In the end, Libby walks. But as Mr. Donovan said in the 80s after he was cleared of his politically-motivated indictment by the out of control Lawrence Walsh "Where do I go to get my reputation back?"
Should have indicted the ham sandwich, it would have made as much sense since obviously there was no underlying crime!
One thing we DO know is that Fitzgerald is a DEMOCRAT!! I don't like Libby, but Fitz was out of control at the presser!
Ummm .... I think you're forgetting about Whitewater. Let's not get too conveniently revisionist.
And the hard core democrats and zombies that follow them are recharged and this indictment will strengthen the democrat base. That's why they do it and they do it to punish conservatives who oppose their liberal agenda and to send a message to other who might try to do the same.
This is not over until they reach the VP and Rove. Bookmark this.
Have you read the indictment? (link here) If you read the indictment it appears that Libby did intentionally try to deceive...the reporters who already knew that Plame worked for the CIA. His own testimony makes it look like he went out of his way to keep reporters from using the White House as a source for confirming her identity. (Which they already knew.)
Any early line on whether the Prez would lean toward a pardon even if Libby goes down?
I was amazed to hear Fitzgerald on the radio. He sounded like a deer caught in the headlights. Or maybe a person very new at selling used cars.
When you think about it....Fitz indicted a politician for his lying ......about like indicting a used car salesman for selling used cars.........
I've said this from day 1. Why are the Republicans even talking to the NYT and the WaPo and all the other liberal MSM rags.
Effective immediately, all offline meetings with the liberal press should stop. The only information given to these slimebags liberals should be by press releases and news conferences. No more phone calls, no more breakfast meetings.
They wont need to hide their sources because they wont have any. LOL
Ya, unless Libby recounted his conversation to someone about his conversation with Cheney after he testified, or near when he testified, that he first learned about Plame from Russert.
"But the difference is, perjury was never the main focus of this investigation but in the Lewinsky matter it was."
There's a lot to critcize here but this ain't it. The investigation into Clinton started as Whitewater. Lewinsky was VERY far afield from the original reason.
Oh,oh, this could be very series. It is now very possible that any number of Freepers who I read discussing Valerie Plame's connection to the CIA several years ago could be getting that knock on the door......