Posted on 10/28/2005 9:45:41 AM PDT by West Coast Conservative
Libby indicted on obstruction of justice, false statment and perjury charge...
My sense of the endless press conference is thus: this is pretty much over but Team-Fitz're still hoping for another scalp and maybe this indictment will get TF what we need.
Thus far, my read seems dead-on: Libby up to his neck and indictable. Nada on Rove, Cheney. See also Martha-gotcha.
The press and the Democrats are already pissing me off trying to spin this into something is most certainly is *NOT*. It is not a case of slandering whistle-blowing critics of the Iraq war. It is not a case of the White House falsifying a case upon which to go to war.
What *does* disturb me is that this case says Wilson would escape scrutiny because no one could correct the record of his claim that the VP office sent him on the Yellow Cake mission. I gravely suspect a conspiracy to defraud the American people and lay a trap for the administration.
The brain-dead press will continue to report on speculation, on hopes, on Dem talking points despite Fitz' pleas for everyone to step back and take a deep breath.
You could almost smell the cast off of press-orgasms through the radio when they began asking about a "final report" and Congress.
I'm in some agreement with you here - It does appear that Mr. Libby simply should have been more up front. There was nothing to hide (or spin) like is somewhat seems to have been doing.
The fact is this Administration should have come out much harder on Wilson (and Mrs. Plame) over the last 2 years - Took care of those two fools in the public forum...and Mr. Libby should have shot more straight to the GJ.
I still think he might beat these charges at a trial though -
In the grand scheme here though - the MSM and DEM's lost big time - You can see it and hear it in their reporting.
In the past 72 hours the GOP base is reunited and the MSM big target (Rove) has come out fine. Bit trouble for the DEM's in 06 is on the way -
<<<<
How can there be a cover up when there was no crime to cover up. But that doesn't apply to obstruction of justice and perjury
>>>>>
Folks, this has been my question from day 1.
No one could really give me a clear and unambigous answer.
The question was and still is this --- the OFFICIAL STATUS of Valerie Plame.
COVERT OR NOT ?
If Covert, then yes, this case should have been prosecuted. I think the fact that this case WAS PROSECUTED shows that she indeed still held the covert status.
In 100% agreement with you here - The fact is the WH should have been much more OPENLY (PR) aggressive toward Mr. Wilson.
The other fact is Mr. Libby appears to have foolishly tried to spin to the GJ (when this just wasn't needed!).
It appears he committed the Martha Stewart crime.
Third witness called to the stand, TIM RUSSERT. Fitz, in his press conference, asserted Libby never talked to Russert about this matter. What proof is there? Was the conversation taped? Is it only he-said vs. he-said? I found that very telling. Expect Timmy to be called if this in fact goes to trial.
No, she was not covert - She was in a classified position (which is different) - However the fact seems clear this case should not have been prosecuted -- However, once prosecuted Mr. Libby seems to have foolishly tried to spin to the GJ (when he didn't need to at all!).
Bottom line is this was a depressing day for the MSM and DEM's - They know there is nothing to this in the grand scheme of things.
I was hoping that this evil neurotic FITZGERALD would not do what he did, but he did!
A LYING BASTARD! !!
*****
This should tell all you FReepers that is ................
JFK, Nixon and G.W.
So far.......... the CIA RULES! This country is OVER! If they pull down another president, this sick little neurotic weenie, Fitzgerald wins.
What crap is that for our nation> He's a lying little fellow!
Patrick Fir=zgerald is a neduri=otic nutcase who AVOIDED the CIA connection
THIS COUNTRY IS FINISHED!! if this con-artist creep gets his absurd cruelty done!
*********************** This rat b8tard lying weenie deserves a knife in hi s lying heart!
There is no possible way to spin this as a legitimate indictment.
Scooter' Libby to Avoid Perjury Charge
Lewis "Scooter" Libby will likely avoid perjury charges in the Leakgate case, and will instead be charged with making a false statement to investigators - a crime that mirrors Independent Counsel Robert Ray's findings against Hillary Clinton five years ago.
Libby's indictment "will be 'false statement' charges as part of an effort to mislead the grand jury," reporter Carl Cameron told Fox News radio host Tony Snow Friday morning.
"False statement charges are significantly different from perjury," Cameron explained. "They don't include the need to prove intent."
Libby's indictment will likely be based, said Cameron, on his claim that he first learned of Valerie Plame's identity from the media, rather than from Vice President Dick Cheney, as media accounts have suggested.
In his October 2000 final report on the Travelgate scandal, Independent Counsel Ray said of Mrs. Clinton:
"The overwhelming evidence establishes that she played a role in the decision to fire the [travel office] employees and provided input into that decision. Thus, her statement to the contrary under oath was factually false."
Despite Mr. Ray's conclusion, however, that Mrs. Clinton had committed a serious federal felony, he declined to prosecute.
Fitz is in way over his head.
Libby may very well be a moron, but he didn't commit a crime, other than stupidity.
So far.......... the CIA RULES! This country is OVER! If they pull down another president, this sick little neurotic weenie, Fitzgerald wins.
Here, have another cuppa' coffee
;-)
"If the indictment is accurate, Libby was a moron."
The thing is, Libby is not a moron. He has an impressive resume, one smart guy. My question is how Libby got himself roped into this. I think he is smarter than this.
Seriously: If both lied and committed perjury then both should've been tried in a court of law. We know Clinton did. His testimony (if you can call it that) was on tape and a judge suspended his law license saying he lied. But Clinton, a president, got away with it as far as the justice system was concerned.
To try and suggest this is going to bring down GWB is utterly ridiculous.
This case is over - The fact seems to be that Mr. Libby foolishly tried to spin to the GJ instead of just being 100% up front - There was no need for Libby to spin -
With that said, it is also clear that this case shouldn't have been brought from the start - But once it was Mr. Libby should have just been 110% up front during the GJ testimony.
Furthermore GWB will continue to lead and nothing more is going to come from this case. He will have a very successful second term - VP Cheney will continue with his job.
Relax.
The pajama people are here, reading and listening, and catching his misrepresentations and contradictions.
> Fitzgerald looks like a cop who was sent out to investigate a murder and caught somebody driving 10 miles over the speed limit through the murder scene.
I disagree-- perjury is serious stuff. Clinton's perjury was inexcusable. Please don't demean the rule of law like this.
Looks like Fitzmorons case is melting before our eyes.
Fitzy is in love with himself isn't he?
Next "scandal" please.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.