Dean On The Indictments
This article does a good job of explaining what's going on. What the indictments really mean, and what my be coming down the road. The bottom line. Fitzgerald was ready to charge Libby and perhaps Cheney with violation of the Espionage Act. If Libby had said he got the information from Cheney and passed it to reporters that is what he would have been charged with. The solution for Cheney and Libby throw dirt in the umpires eye. Lie and say you got it from reporters. Now the prosecutor can't prove intent because you have lied and are sticking to your lie and that explains the obstruction of justice charge. So when the apologists on the right say there is no underlying crime point them to the indictment and this article.
In my last column, I tried to deflate expectations a bit about the likely consequences of the work of Special Counsel Patrick Fitzgerald; to bring them down to the realistic level at which he was likely to proceed. I warned, for instance, that there might not be any indictments, and Fitzgerald might close up shop as the last days of the grand jury's term elapsed. And I was certain he would only indict if he had a patently clear case.
Now, however, one indictment has been issued -- naming Vice President Cheney's Chief of Staff Lewis "Scooter" Libby as the defendant, and charging false statements, perjury and obstruction of justice. If the indictment is to be believed, the case against Libby is, indeed, a clear one.
Having read the indictment against Libby, I am inclined to believe more will be issued. In fact, I will be stunned if no one else is indicted.
Indeed, when one studies the indictment, and carefully reads the transcript of the press conference, it appears Libby's saga may be only Act Two in a three-act play. And in my view, the person who should be tossing and turning at night, in anticipation of the last act, is the Vice President of the United States, Richard B. Cheney.
Comments
This article makes things very clear. Libby is going to lie, the Democrats will not take control of the Senate in 2006, and Cheney will get off scott free. Libby will get a pardon and some money from cheney for his trouble.
Mr. Dean states in the article:
"...But should Republicans lose control of the Senate (where they are blocking all oversight of this administration), I predict Cheney will resign "for health reasons."
What Democrats should harp on this next election: Too much power corrupts. There should be balance in the Congress to keep the President in check.
Chris, I disagree. Democrats have the momentum and will get control of the Senate next year. This time next year Delay, Libby, Rove, maybe Frist and who knows what other slimy neo-cons will be in hot water, Americans have come out of their shell about opposing the Iraq war and that will reach a fever pitch by next Fall. There will be 33 Senate races in 2006. The GOP currently has a 55-44 advantage with one independent, James Jeffords of Vermont, who is retiring and who typically votes with Democrats. With W’s poll numbers at 35% and falling, I think it’s more than conceivable that this country is ready to turn things around, Democrats will pick up 6 seats and Cheney will resign "for health reasons."
I hope you are right Jef.
I hope that Jef is right too. But don't hold your breath. There are many voters who know little or nothing about this case. I spoke to a 25-year-old lady yesterday and mentioned this, and she told me that she was embarrassed to say that she didn't even know who Valerie Plame is and had not heard about any of this. I then decided to ask everyone I work with, all people with degrees, what they thought, and they didn't have a clue as to what I was talking about.
Sad.
That is a very good article. Thanks norm.
It will be a tough set of senatorial races in 2006. They never draw as many voters in, however, those that are drawn in I would say are those of higher intellect who actually pay attention to the news. Thus, they would know more about the indictments and whatnot than those who Jo Ann spoke to. Since the mainstream media has suddenly started to grow back their backbone, more people will realize that things need to turn around real quick.
Now that most people have Quicktime 7...watch this:
http://onegoodmove.org/1gm/1gmarchive/002164.html#002164
Since when has mainstream media suddenly "grown back their backbone"?
Maybe I just haven't noticed, but I'm actually interested to see what you mean.