Is the Valerie Plame-CIA Leak Case Against Libby Crumbling?
Jim Kouri, CPP
November 17, 2005
What a difference a few weeks make in the world of politics. One day, the Democrat Party and the mainstream news media are celebrating the indictment of a key White House staff member, then suddenly facts start to emerge that just might put a damper on the prosecutors case.
Recall how Patrick Fitzgerald announced the indictment of I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby for perjury and obstruction of justice charges. During his jovial press conference, Mr. Fitzgerald lectured Americans about how serious it is to leak classified information. He avoided using the term "covert" when describing Valerie Plame, because in order for the leak charge to be a crime that's exactly what she would have had to be -- a covert agent. And it's pretty clear now that she wasn't.
Suddenly there is growing doubt about Fitzgerald's case since the legendary journalist Bob Woodward announced that he knew about Plame's identity weeks before the exchange between Libby and Newsweek's Matt Cooper. And he further stated that it wasn't Libby who told him.
Bob Woodward's own description of when and where he learned the identity of a CIA operative contradicts Patrick Fitzgerald's allegation that Vice President Dick Cheney's top aide was the first to make the disclosure to reporters. Recall how Fitzgerald stated as fact that the leak began with Libby's conversations with reporters. Apparently, that's not true.
Woodward claims he told his editors at the Washington Post last month that he had learned about Valerie Plame's identity and her work at the CIA more than two years ago, but declined to name his source.
Another less reported, but equally important, event occurred following Libby's indictment. Major General Paul Vallely, US Army (Ret.) said that prior to the alleged leak, Ambassador Joe Wilson bragged to the general that his wife, Valerie, worked for the CIA. And General Vallely is not the only person making such claims.
Also, news organizations are asking, through their attorneys, that US District Judge Reggie Walton deny a court motion by special prosecutor Fitzgerald for a blanket protective order keeping all pretrial evidence in Libby's case out of public view. One wonders if Mr. Fitzgerald disclosed this evidence to Libby's trial attorneys. Libby's legal counsel is entitled to full disclosure.
As the trial date approaches look for more stories to break. For instance, Tim Russert of NBC's "Meet the Press" is a key figure in the case since he denies having told Libby about Plame's CIA position. Libby testified that he believed it was Russert who told him about Plame. Mr. Russert's conduct as a newsman has been criticized by several news watchdog organizations for his coverage of a case in which he is deeply involved.
I predicted that the attorneys for Libby would make things very uncomfortable for some members of the mainstream news media. These people have crossed the line between being unbiased journalists and covert political operatives perhaps once too often. Does anyone believe Dan Rather and Mary Mapes were the only ones? Elite media's cozy relationship with the DNC and liberal activist groups must be exposed to the American people, many of whom still believe what they read in the newspapers and see and hear on their televisions.
Recall how Patrick Fitzgerald announced the indictment of I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby for perjury and obstruction of justice charges. During his jovial press conference, Mr. Fitzgerald lectured Americans about how serious it is to leak classified information. He avoided using the term "covert" when describing Valerie Plame, because in order for the leak charge to be a crime that's exactly what she would have had to be -- a covert agent. And it's pretty clear now that she wasn't.
Suddenly there is growing doubt about Fitzgerald's case since the legendary journalist Bob Woodward announced that he knew about Plame's identity weeks before the exchange between Libby and Newsweek's Matt Cooper. And he further stated that it wasn't Libby who told him.
Bob Woodward's own description of when and where he learned the identity of a CIA operative contradicts Patrick Fitzgerald's allegation that Vice President Dick Cheney's top aide was the first to make the disclosure to reporters. Recall how Fitzgerald stated as fact that the leak began with Libby's conversations with reporters. Apparently, that's not true.
Woodward claims he told his editors at the Washington Post last month that he had learned about Valerie Plame's identity and her work at the CIA more than two years ago, but declined to name his source.
Another less reported, but equally important, event occurred following Libby's indictment. Major General Paul Vallely, US Army (Ret.) said that prior to the alleged leak, Ambassador Joe Wilson bragged to the general that his wife, Valerie, worked for the CIA. And General Vallely is not the only person making such claims.
Also, news organizations are asking, through their attorneys, that US District Judge Reggie Walton deny a court motion by special prosecutor Fitzgerald for a blanket protective order keeping all pretrial evidence in Libby's case out of public view. One wonders if Mr. Fitzgerald disclosed this evidence to Libby's trial attorneys. Libby's legal counsel is entitled to full disclosure.
As the trial date approaches look for more stories to break. For instance, Tim Russert of NBC's "Meet the Press" is a key figure in the case since he denies having told Libby about Plame's CIA position. Libby testified that he believed it was Russert who told him about Plame. Mr. Russert's conduct as a newsman has been criticized by several news watchdog organizations for his coverage of a case in which he is deeply involved.
I predicted that the attorneys for Libby would make things very uncomfortable for some members of the mainstream news media. These people have crossed the line between being unbiased journalists and covert political operatives perhaps once too often. Does anyone believe Dan Rather and Mary Mapes were the only ones? Elite media's cozy relationship with the DNC and liberal activist groups must be exposed to the American people, many of whom still believe what they read in the newspapers and see and hear on their televisions.
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