Posted on 02/12/2006 12:08:27 PM PST by wagglebee
Democratic National Committee chairman Howard Dean said Sunday that Vice President Dick Cheney "cannot remain in office" if he ordered his chief of staff, Scooter Libby, to leak classified information to the press.
But in the next breath Dean falsely claimed that Libby himself had "been indicted for leaking information."
Appearing on CBS's "Face the Nation," Dean said: "It may be that the vice president leaked security information in a time of war in order to discredit political opponents. I don't think the vice president has any credibility on national security whatsoever and I think he's in deep trouble."
Referring to reports last week that said Libby told the Leakgate grand jury that his "superiors" authorized him to leak classified intelligence on the Iraq war, the DNC chief contended:
"If it turns out that Scooter Libby, who said this week that his superiors ordered him to leak the information for political reasons, then this vice president may not be vice president very much longer."
Moments later Dean added: "If that's true the vice president cannot remain in office."
Pressed on what he meant, Dean explained:
"If it turns out that what Scooter Libby testified . . . to the grand jury, that his superior ordered him, or suggested that he leak the information to the press in order to discredit one of their political opponents - if that happened in a time of war - then the vice president cannot sit in the office he now occupies."
Asked if he would favor an "impeachment proceeding" for Cheney, Dean said: "That's getting a little far down the road. First we have to find out of it's true."
Despite his incendiary rhetoric, Dean managed to get a key detail about the case wrong, when he told "Face the Nation": "It's been alleged by Scooter Libby, who's been indicted for leaking information, that his superiors ordered him to leak that information."
In fact, the Libby indictment has nothing to do with "leaking information," but instead alleges that the top Cheney aide made false statements to prosecutors.
I think Cheney should invite Howard Dean to go hunting.
ROFLOL
That is a great cartoon.
LOL! That cartoon is a perfect selection for this thread.
Last month while trolling through DU, I ran across a thread titled "Let's think of a successor to * when we impeach him." After quite a few rantings, I posted that hey dudes---there is a succession written down in the Constitution. We don't get to pick. Then the thread switched to "let's get Cheney" first!
I wonder who is listening to whom there?
Yes, I troll through DU on occasion. Gotta have an idea of what the other side is planning.
Is Dean trying to blame Cheney for the wiretap leak also?
That's sure what it sounds like; but since he has zero credibility, who knows what he's trying to say or do.
Is it true that Cheney invited Dean to go hunting with him next week?
Interesting tactic by Dean .. and I'm beting that he knows who will leaked the info
Cheney, Rove, Bush, Delay. Seems the Dems want all Republicans to give up and go home via a fiat from Howard.
CBS, you not only suck, you really suck!
MoodyBlu
If Cheney steps down, John Bolton would be a good replacement.
Feb 12, 2005
Dear Mr. Howard Dean,
Hope these lines find you fine. Due to our continuing effort to sponsor growth and bipartisanship in Washington, I would like to personally invite you to go bird hunting with me.
Please RSVP at your convenience.
Sincerely, Dick Cheney
And when in the name of all that's holy will we see Rockefeller prosecuted for this?
"Hello Chairman Dean, this is Dick Cheney. I heard what you said on the Sunday talk circut. Seems you are misinformed about the facts of the case. As several bloggers have pointed out, what Mr Libby said is quit different then what the DNC...I mean the NY Times reported. Say why don't we go Quail Hunting this weekend and discuss it in person".
vice_president@whitehouse.gov
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