Viera: 'Beginning of the End' for VP Cheney?

NewsBusters ^ | Mark Finkelstein

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Meredith Vieira [file photo] was in a light-hearted mood at the top of this morning's "Today," joshing with substitute co-host Ann Curry about the estrogen on the set, even offering to leave her husband for the winner of the Powerball lottery. But we shouldn't have let the idle chatter fool us. When it came to discussing the repercussions of the Libby conviction, Meredith's leopard-skinned blouse should have been a clue -- because she pounced.

Discussing the trial with NBC host turned star prosecution witness Tim Russert [file photo], Meredith displayed on screen and read this quotation from Republican strategist [and former Dole campaign manager] Scott Reed that appeared in a New York Times article this morning:

“The trial has been death by 1,000 cuts for Cheney. It’s hurt him inside the administration. It’s hurt him with the Congress, and it’s hurt his stature around the world because it has shown a lot of the inner workings of the White House. It peeled the bark right off the way they operate.”

Vieira then asked Russert: "Is this the beginning of the end, do you believe, for the Vice President?"

Russert did nothing to deflect the notion: "The president is on record saying that if anyone leaked information like this, they would be dealt with. It appears that Mr. Cheney gave Mr. Libby the information. As Kelly [O'Donnell] reported, Mr. Armitage and Mr. Rove shared information with reporters. And so the president now has to come to grips with that, and recognize that having made a committment to deal with that, how will he do that?

Sounds like Russert calling for the head of the Vice-President. Of course the Mr. Cheney is a separately-elected constitutional officer. He does not serve at the pleasure of the president. But leaving that asisde, and even by Tim's terms, neither Cheney nor Libby could have "leaked" Plame's identity since it was, thanks to Richard Armitage, already out there. But that didn't stop Russert, with a little helpful prodding from Vieira, from none-too-subtly suggesting that Cheney should go.

Contact Mark at mark@gunhill.net

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Today show ping.

[Loyal Buckeye]

Nice picture of Timmy the Weazel.

[USNA74]

As I recall, the President said that if anyone broke the law (in his administration) regarding this, they would be bounced out of the administration. I don't think it's been shown that the VP broke any law.

[raybbr]

Did she say Powerball or Megamillions. Powerball is only 120M and I think Mega millions is around 300M? Just curious. If it was Powerball then she's nothing more than an easy sl@t! :^)

[OldFriend]

I suspect that as Wilson's civil suit against Libby goes forward, ole potato brain will be receiving a subpoena from Libby's lawyer.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

My bad. It's MegaMillions.

[Moonman62]

When I look at Russert I see a big bag of greasy excrement.

[Condor51]

"I Put Scooter Libby In Prison
And I'm Happy As Hell About It."

[jackv]

Did viera happen to mention that Libby heard about plame through about 8 different sources? Oh no, just the veep!

[metmom]

So who becomes VP is Cheney has to resign, or something....?

[NeoCaveman]

Sure it is, and the end of the end is in January of 2009.

[stuartcr]

Like myself and others here on FR said a while back...we thought Cheney may resign prior to election year, in order to have a more viable choice for the republicans in '08. Between this and his recent clot problem, now may be a good time.

[Old Retired Army Guy]

Tim needs to put a lock on his refrigerator and get to the Gym.

[USS Alaska]

This whole farce makes my stomach turn. Fitzy is a lying scumbag and knows that plame was not covert and no law was broken. The entire process was a political witchhunt to get Bush and they ruined a man and his family.

I've been personally involved with the "justice system" and justice is the last concept that is in this system. I hate what happened to Libby and his family. The DUmmies are in full celebration mode and want more scalps.

[nascarnation]

He's channeling Algore
they put a tire valve in his belly button and "pump it up"

[raybbr]

When I look at Russert I see a big bag of greasy excrement.

I see a man who has sold his soul for popularity among the vile beings known as democrat politicians and glitterati.

[Ukiapah Heep]

Hippie anti-war whore.

[dforest]

Cheney should be very afraid. Republicans have a habit of kicking their own to the curb. We just are supposed to set an example and be polite about it. Inspirational isn't it?

[RexBeach]

Did not Mr Russert work for Mario Cuomo? I think he did.

Gee. I'll bet Mr. Russert isn't too biased, is he?