Posted on 11/17/2005 5:10:51 AM PST by veronica
November 17, 2005 -- CALL it "Deep Throat 2." The CIA-leak probe is in big trouble because superstar reporter and Watergate hero Bob Woodward has emerged as a surprise witness for the defense — potentially undermining the case against ex-White House aide Scooter Libby.
Woodward yesterday revealed that he's told prosecutors he could be the first reporter to learn from a Bush administration source that Iraq war critic Joe Wilson's wife worked as a CIA analyst — but Libby wasn't his new "Deep Throat."
(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...
"The left would have been better off if Fitz issued a report"
He couldn't. GJ proceedings are secret.
"This is exactly the plan. Libby wasn't a big enough catch so now they're using Woodward to try and pin someone else, and Rove would be the next likely target. The media is in on this too, which explains their prompt reporting of this yestreday."
Woodward was brought into this by (former) Bush administration people who testified to Fitzgerald. He testified about talking to Woodward. So Woodward had to testify.
The reporting was not prompt at all. The Washington Post, for instance, has sat on this since at least the 3rd of November. Woodward sat on it even longer -- since a couple of days after the GJ wrapped.
Libby's lawyer will try to make that point, however that is not what Woodward said. He said he didnt recall asking Libby about Wilson, he said if he had he would likely have recorded a note next to the question (there was no note). He had no reason to tell Libby about it. It wasnt something that was important to him in the preparation of his book. The clear point of his statement was that it was highly unlikely that he would have told Libby but since he has no recollection of it, he cant be certain to a metaphisical certainty. However, that only covers half his problem. He still needs to be able to explain why something that apparently so important to him and to the administration that he could forget to tell the FBI and the grand jury that Cheney, two CIA people, and a under secretary at the State Department told him earlier about Wilson and Plame both verbally and in writing. He also neglected to mention or recall that he had participated in meetings with three other administration officals including Ari Fleischer where Wilson and his wife came up in conversation. In case of Fleishcer, Libby told him that wilsons wife worked at the CIA on WMD. Libby still has major problems.
"Having a "crypto clearance" means that you are allowed to type up messages that were decrypted. It's not a "most sensitive clearance" by any means."
Wrong! It means you have access to an area where crypto equipment is used and possibly to an area where the crypto keys are kept. It doesn't get much higher than that, unless you are assigned to the PSA (Presidential Security Agency).
You really need to go school on Clearances.
"Now I'm seeing rumors from DU, Daily KOS and ABC that Fitzgerald might convene a new Grand Jury"
Fitzgerald might do lots of things. DU, Daily KOS, and ABC are not exactly reliable sources.
1.The sole non-agricultural export of Niger is Uranium, which it regularly sells in large quantities to European and other customers.
2.. The yellowcake Saddam had purchased in the 80's was obtained from Niger.
3. The President of Niger says they did try to by Uranium.
4. British intelligence continues to say that they were seeking uranium.
....But, Joe Wilson, the inexperieced private citizen, Bush-basher, and husband of the glorious Valerie says it ain't so, therefore........the trade mission was really about getting enough honey-roasted peanuts to Iraqi soldiers??????? I swear, there is nothing more stupid than a MSM reporter.
He may not be able to reveal details of the proceedings but he could lay out the issues - make a statement. Restate the law and say how serious it is. Say how "high officials need to be careful with classified info." Much of the press conference was a morality play anyhow. He could write a book. Everybody else does. Write a novel or fictionalized account. He could leak. Everybody else does. The weak indictment is going to backfire on the left and the MSM.
Rush has always said the left especially the MSM will regret they pushed for this investigation and that is likely how this will pan out.
"Martha Stewart. If you want 20 do the research yourself."
I thought in Stewart's case, the crime was insider trading. Wasn't her broker convicted of something?
Was the deal all along to come out at the sight of bad things ahead for the BIG media operators??
I'm having trouble convincing myself that Woodward is just being "a good person". You don't make "death pacts" if you're a good person.
Berger was a "good person" said Bubba. Saddam's buddies were "good people" says Bubba.
I don't understand what the big deal is here, either. Joe Wilson says the Iraqis weren't attempting to get uranium from Africa, the White House says they were. Who you gonna believe? If Joe Wilson has a talent, it is for making a lot out of nothing.
I think it makes Fitzgerald look like an ass. Remember he held a press conference and stated that Scooter Libby was the first person to leak Valerie Plame's name and identify her as a CIA agent to the media. This was a threat to our National Security. And Libby lied about it.
FITZGERALD: And, given that national security was at stake, it was especially important that we find out accurate facts.
FITZGERALD: At the end of the day, what appears is that Mr. Libby's story that he was at the tail end of a chain of phone calls,
passing on from one reporter what he heard from another, was not true.
It was false.
He was at the beginning of the chain of phone calls, the first official to disclose this information outside the government to a reporter.
And then he lied about it afterwards, under oath and repeatedly.
FITZGERALD: I will say this.
I won't touch the specific damage assessment of what specific damage was caused by her compromise -- I won't touch that with a 10-foot pole.
I'll let the CIA speak to that, if they wish or not.
FITZGERALD: If you're going to have a grand jury investigation into the improper disclosure of national security information and you're going to have someone in the position Mr. Libby is lying to the FBI .....
that, to me, defines a serious breach of the public trust.
FITZGERALD: It's important that a CIA officer's identity be protected,
that it be protected not just for the officer, but for the nation's security.
FITZGERALD: This is a very serious matter and compromising national security information is a very serious matter.
FITZGERALD: I will say this: Mr. Libby is presumed innocent.
Now- how does Libby get an impartial jury after Fitzgerald has just tainted the pool ?
I think you're going to and are seeing a change in direction by the Dems. It's now a call for "when" are we going to get out of there not "how did we get there" because they voted for it based on the History of Saddam.
And Fitzgerald knew nothing about this.......
Vallely and Woodward....all in one week!!
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