ON IMUS...TIM RUSSERT INVOLVED IN PLAMEGATE

[itzamirakul]

They say CNN has the same info.

I ususally don't have Imus on but I just haven't switched channels.

Imus's announcer called him "Tim 'the Yenta' Russert."

[IADEMO2004]

1. MSNBC story Russert 2/3 down

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9759368/
Edit add cnn link
http://www.cnn.com/2005/POLITICS/10/20/cia.leak.investigation.ap/index.html

CNNL


Libby's testimony stated that Rove had told him about his contact with Novak and that Libby had told Rove about information he had gotten about Wilson's wife from NBC's Tim Russert, according to a person familiar with the information shown to Rove.

Prosecutors, however, have a different account from Russert. The network has said Russert told authorities he did not know about Wilson's wife's identity until it was published and therefore could not have told Libby about it.

Prosecutors also have evidence that Libby initiated the call with Russert and had initiated similar contact with another reporter, Judith Miller of The New York Times, several weeks earlier. Miller was jailed for 85 days before agreeing to testify before the grand jury.

[kstewart33]

25. Don't believe Russert is involved at all

Libby is sounding desperate and may be thinking that he can get away with blaming Russert because it's a he said, he said situation with no way to determine who is telling the truth.

I would believe Russert before Libby.

[The Backlash Cometh]

28. But it is kind of funny now that Russert realizes that he's nothing more

than a chip to them. A pawn to be sacrificed.

[SpiralHawk]

2. D'oh

As if you couldn't tell just watching Russert Catapult the Propaganda...

[itzamirakul]

3. I always knew Russert sided with the RW but I am surprised he allowed

himself to get caught up in this treachery of outing a secret agent.

[Kahuna]

7. I'm not surprised. The Washington crowd are a bunch of cackling

hens. They are very clique-ish. Tim has obviously been taking his marching orders from Rove and Company. If you've been watching his show the past five years, you will notice that he always presents the administrations arguments. I hope he get exposed for what he is. Hes a stooge and a hack.

[emulatorloo]

9. LIBBY IS LYING -- he didn't get it from russert. . .

that is patently absurd -- why would anyone believe this?

[Roland99]

4. It's a DISTRACTION! Desperate attempts at spin.

Something tells me Hannah and Wurmser are signing different tunes and that they're not off-key.

[H2O Man]

5. Hannah is.

Also, see my thread on Rove squealing on Libby.

Libby had pointed a finger at Russert in one of his three times testifying before the grand jury. Russert has testified that he did NOT provide Libby with this information. Libby's attorney is getting desperate.

[KharmaTrain]

6. Nothing New...But Still Fun To See

Especially on MSGOP. Methinks the I-Man may be getting a memo.

Russert, Mrs. Greenspan (Mitchell) and Tweety all were interviewed by Fitzgerald's office regarding their conversations with Rove and/or Libby. They were "shopped" the Plame story...plus they knew Rove was the leaker for 2 years and sat on it. Who knows what other information or misinformation they may know. Might be fun to shine some real bright lights on ALL of 'em for a while.

[itzamirakul]

8. I think Russert's wife works for the GOP....

Sort of like Carville and Mary Maitlan????

[KharmaTrain]

10. Timmy Is Jack Welch's Boy

That's all I need know. Welch was the former GE Chairman and big Repugnican donor/mover/shaker who bragged he personally "flipped" Russert and Tweety.

I know nothing about Russert's wife. The only wife involved here is Mrs. Alan Greenspan...better known as Andrea Mitchell...who was a regular partier at the Aspens and has been spreading a ton of misinformation about this scandal for quite some time.

[emulatorloo]

12. All I need to know is that Libby is LYING -- Cmon. do you really think

Scooter is innocent? and that big bad Tim Russert told Scooter classified information?

Tim Russert did not "out" Valerie Plame to Scooter Libby. This is absurd.

[KharmaTrain]

13. I Didn't Say That...

I was among some of the first out here to dig into Scooter Libby with several others when his name (which most of us had never heard) came to light with this scandal over 2 years ago. Now you tell me if I think Scooter's not involved. I don't judge innocence or guilt...I'll leave that for a jury to do.

Russert didn't out Plame...but he had the chance to. Fortunately Timmy wasn't as much a hack as Novak...and if Novak hadn't run the story, someone else (probably Judy Miller) would have.

Russert DID know that Rove called him and tried to slime Wilson. He knew it while he had Wilson on his TV show and tried to discredit him. He also knew of Rove's involvement for two years and didnt' have the ethics to come clean about his own involvement in this sorrid affair. His guilt is for putting his corporate bosses and access and power ahead of his knowing the real truth.

[emulatorloo]

14. your point is understood -- others seem to be buying Libby's story

which kinda scares me first thing in the morning before coffee.

I am certainly VERY frustrated by the behavior of all the reporters Rove and Libby shopped this story to. They could have stood up long long ago. And they still aren't coming clean - esp Mitchell.

[cybildisobedience]

27. Russert's wife is Maureen Orth

writes frequently for Vanity Fair, most recently wrote scathing profile of Michael Jackson.

[Hubert Flottz]

11. No honor among thieves.

Ali-Bushco and the 40 thieves are going down. Rats are notorious cannibals.

Mr spudhead played with fire! * OUCH * I hope Tweety gets dragged in too!

[Neil Lisst]

15. Russert is NOT involved.

Rove said he got info from Russert, but Russert has said NO WAY over and over, and probably to the Grand Jury. The point of the story is supposed to be that Rove has been caught in a lie, as has Libby, giving Russert as a source.


Cheney's replacement is my cartoon topic today
http://www.webcomicsnation.com/neillisst/

[KharmaTrain]

16. Circular Firing Squads

Could it be that these biggest spinners couldn't all get their stories straight? Even when they saw this investigation coming down the pike.

Remember, we're not hearing direct or even indirect GJ testimony. All we're getting are accounts mostly from defense lawyers who are willing to slime someone else to make their client look good...and it appears Scooter's laywer is always looking to cut that big deal.

So it appears that Libby's lawyer (not Libby) is now trying to drag Russert into this...also like a shield to deflect Rove's lawyer who is pointing his finger at Libby being the leaker. What it looks like is both are caught in lies...and probably others...and this could really be the case if there's a third or fourth party (and we don't know if anyone has "turned") whose testimony contradict these claims even further.

I imagine Fitzgerald has to be looking at all this speculation and chuckling at all the online and on-air second guessing and "country" lawyering going on.

[itzamirakul]

18. What would really be funny (or maybe not) would be if Fitzgerald had

not planned on indicting anyone but with all their finger pointing and yapping and passing the buck, they have now given him all the material he needs to indict them all! (smirk, smirk)

[KharmaTrain]

23. Stupid Is As Stupid Does...Ask DeLay

In 2000, I had the unique opportunity to sit on a Federal jury here in Chicago and see Fitzgerald's boys in action. These guys were all young, hungry, very thorough and professional. I also saw this at work in the George Ryan case...now on trial and not going very well for the former Repugnican Governor.

DeLay pissed of Ronnie Earle...who thought he had worked out a deal on a lesser charge that would have allowed DeLay to stay in the House but probably not regain his leadership, but DeLay opened his big trap...blew the deal and got slapped with even stiffer charges. Fool!

My bets are Fitzgerald did use the media to flush out some truth out of this puppy. He'd have to considering how complicit the corporate media is with this story and regime. I suspect we're gonna see a lot of people's words and spin come back to really bite them :bounce:

Cheers...

[JerseygirlCT]

21. That's my understanding, as well

Doesn't point to Russert's leanings one way or the other. Does point to Rove's lies. Which match up rather neatly with Libby's lies. Symmetry is lovely, isn't it?

[goodboy]

17. Are you surprised? He's a Repuke lap-dog. (nt)

[emulatorloo]

22. so scooter is innocent then?

sorry, I don't believe scooter libby. "Tim Russert Told Me!"

about as credible as "the dog ate my homework!"

[TiredOfLies]

19. there is not really

much difference in Imus, Russert, Hannity, Mathews, Humes, O'Rielly, King,A.Mitchel or any of the employees of the 3 major net works...They all just go from program to program promoting their own adgeda and their books, mainly their books and saying what their bosses want to hear. I find that my day goes better if i don't turn them on. I do like Lou Dobbs.

[Gman]

20. Russert already testified he did not give Libby Plame's name

contrary to what Libby apparently testified to. I looks like Fitzgerald believes Russert. It appears Libby is grasping to take anyone down with him that he can.

[Loge23]

24. Tim & Tweety toodleloo

Russert's probably not directly involved in the crime, but wouldn't it be wonderful for public opinion to demand a return to facts-based reporting wihout the pro-admin spin?

[AlCzervik]

26. So the circle jerk begins, Rove points to Libby and he points to Russert