Fitzgerald vs The Spin -- Some questions.

[longship]

Fitzgerald has broad mandate to pursue the leak case.

We already know what the Repugs are going to do. They are going to smear him, smear his case, twist and turn the events.

I have some questions about this.

At what point can the spin and smears themselves come under the purview of Fitz's investigation? Can the Repugs fling so much shit that Fitz can levee additional charges of obstruction of justice?

How careful does the White House have to be about this?

If Fitz catches the WH managing the news about the case, is that chargeable?

[bleever]

1. I was wondering about that last question myself. Can Rove use the WH

media machinery to hit back at Fitzgerald? Is that potentially criminal too?

[shockingelk]

2. It's not a crime to lie to the press

... as far as I know.

[emulatorloo]

3. but does it become part of the cover-up and obstruction?

where are the DU lawyers?

[shockingelk]

5. I'd imagine leaks to the press

... would match up to testimony given to the investigation. For instance, Libby's claim he got the name from journalists.

The crime would be misleading the investigation.

[NoBushSpokenHere]

9. LOL As a person who has asked that same question before

"Where are the DU lawyers" I just saw a bit of humour here.

Guy at bar says to another guy at bar, "What type business are you in?"

He answers, "Oh, I am a DU lawyer"

......okay, I have a strange sense of humour...go ahead, scratch your head - I can't explain the humour in it....but to me, it is funny lol

[creeksneakers2]

4. Starr's report said such activities were impeachable

Nobody bit on it though.

[Catherine Vincent]

6. Fitz has that look about him that says "Don't fuck with me!"

[napi21]

7. I wouldn't worry too much about Fitz. This is one of the reasons

he put up the web site. What ever he has will be THERE, and can't be mis-quoted, misunderstood, lied about, or taken out of context.

As fas as what they way about him? I'm sure he's been through that before, and I doubt he GAS!

[longship]

8. Not worried. Just wanted answers to the questions.

In response to Fitz, the Repugs will probably try smear tactics, looney spin, misinformation and outright lies.

A judge will sometimes put a gag order to prevent these things. I was wondering if such tactics might be considered a kind of obstruction. I'm not talking about first amendment freedoms. I am talking about a deliberate attempt by the WH to cloud the issue so much that the prosecution of the crimes becomes difficult.

Where is the line drawn?

[DefenseLawyer]

10. Spin is about politics, not law

I have thought that this is what would bury rove in this case from the start. He thought he could handle it like any other political problem: Spin, leak, distort, flat out lie when necessary. While this has always worked for Rover, he didn't take the matter seriously enough to realize that these very tactics would get him in even more legal trouble, and by the time he did it was too late. Spin is designed to change public opinion, but public opinion doesn't enter into the equation before a grand jury. Public opinion was probably on Martha Stewart's side, ask her how that all worked out for her. The best spin will do is throw a lifeline to some true believers, but it won't change the fact that he has been legitimately indicted and faces going to jail. So spin to your heart's content little freepers, it won't change a thing.