Lawyer: Bush Left Leak Details to Cheney

[u2spirit]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060408/ap_on_go_pr_wh/cia_leak_38

WASHINGTON - President Bush declassified sensitive intelligence in 2003 and authorized its public disclosure to rebut Iraq war critics, but he did not specifically direct that Vice President Dick Cheney's former chief of staff, I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, be the one to disseminate the information, an attorney knowledgeable about the case said Saturday.


Bush merely instructed Cheney to "get it out" and left the details to him, said the lawyer, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the case for the White House. The vice president chose Libby and communicated the president's wishes to his then-top aide, the lawyer said.

snip

[Journeyman]

1. What's it matter who was the wheelman in the bank heist? . . .

everyone involved is equally guilty, from the lookout for the "coppers" on the corner to "Mr Big" himself. . .

[rocktivity]

47. Another example of great minds thinking alike!

I used the "wheel man" analogy in a DU thread concerning an illegal ailen smuggling case. I think you owe me a royalty payment!

:headbang:
rocknation

[LiberalFighter]

54. No different than Moussaoui being aware of the WTC plan...

under Fed's tactic to prosecute him.

He didn't do the final event but he was involved and aware of information.

[xultar]

2. A leak is still a leak folks.

[Scout1071]

3. In other words, Bush ordered the "hit."

He's still part of the conspiracy.

[savemefromdumbya]

63. Who is the Godfather?

[Hand]

67. Hmm...

Well, imagine Fredo holding the official title, and Sonny doing the heavy lifting. :rofl:

[IndianaGreen]

71. Bush is the don, Cheney is the consiglieri, Libby is the capo

and Condi is the gangster moll, and all four of them should be behind bars.

[shraby]

4. This is an independent confirmation that Bush

okayed the leak. Just because he didn't give Cheney a designated leaker doesn't exonerate him one iota.

[madaboutharry]

5. These people are making me sick.

I swear to God, this crap is getting old. They are all a bunch of low class con men with a load of money who are treating the American people like a bunch of bumpkins who just fell off a turnip truck. When will it stop?

O.K., I know that there is a percentage of the American people who are, in fact, bumpkins who just fell off a turnip truck. But, the rest of us must force our Representatives to put the Constitution to use and impeach these bastards.

[Occulus]

21. At this point, it's more on the order of

evidence piling up.

Looked at in that way, let 'em keep on truckin'. Seriously.

They're digging themselves into an eventual hole far too deep for rescue.

[davekriss]

24. Deeply Perverted Value System

When will it stop? It won't. Not while this Regime has a grip on power. They've long ignored all principles of constitutional law, international law, and morality. Loosening that grip will not be easy.

[saltpoint]

6. A professional woman, a covert agent of the Central Intelligence Agency,

was exposed for no better and no other reason than the Bush White House's filthy impulse for revenge for her husband, who from the git-go had the brains and perception to know that the Iraq-yellow cake story was pure bullshit.

I agree with others here so far... the specific source is trumped by the flagrantly dishonest intent.

[rodeodance]

14. Wise people have wised up and this issue will just pile it on--no trust!

[saltpoint]

17. Hi, rodeodance. Yes -- I think you're right. 'Trust' is no longer

a viable character reference for this White House, and even the thick-skulled red voters are slowly beginning to get it!

Nice to bump into you on these boards, as always.

[rodeodance]

41. Hi back to you. But sorry, I am not good at screennames.

[saltpoint]

51. That's ok. Your politics are right-on!

[Malva Zebrina]

7. I didn't do it. INo one told me anything about it, I am innocent

IT is Cheney's fault.

This creep, this bastgard, is a measly puny coward who does NOT know a thing that is going on, except where his current military costume is being hung in his closet and when he will wear it.

Oh, gimme that one! I will look like a real "war president" if I wear that and make sure it says "George Bush, Commander in Chief on it" It will be hung in my presidential library! The whole library will be filled with military costumes that I love to wear.

all the rest of the shit that is coming down, I know nothing about.George the dumb.

as Helen Thomans once asked re the Plame leaking and the Plame affair, to paraphrase, "Why don't you just call them into your office and ask them?"

[Auntie Bush]

12. And which sock he will stuff in that empty space where his balls

are suppose to be.

"This creep, this bastgard, is a measly puny coward who does NOT know a thing that is going on, except where his current military costume is being hung in his closet and when he will wear it."

[hootinholler]

19. I'm ok with the uniforms inthe library...

Comingled with the Abu-Graib photo display.

-Hoot

[savemefromdumbya]

64. he'll say that about 9/11 too?

[Canuckistanian]

8. Doesn't matter

Indict them both using the RICO statutes.

[Pirate Smile]

9. Do they think this makes Bush look better? Because it doesn't.

Not at all.

[savemefromdumbya]

65. they can't worm their way out of this

[rodeodance]

10. They did their dirty work 10 days before Declassified

.....Because Bush declassified the intelligence document, the White House does not view Libby's conversations about it as a leak. But that determination is difficult to make without knowing precisely when Bush decided to declassify the information.

Libby passed the information about the document to New York Times reporter Judith Miller on July 8, 2003. It was 10 days later, on July 18, when the same portions of the document that Libby discussed with Miller were released publicly.

[HereSince1628]

23. One would think it possible to get the release from a reporter and

check the dates. I suspect that it doesn't have a date before July 17.

[unblock]

11. so, he was as involved as osama bin laden was in 9/11?

now that's a compelling defense.

:dunce:

[lumberjack_jeff]

13. Oooh... THAT leak.

"Yeah, in the interest of maximum public disclosure, I declassified the PDB (well, the parts of it that discredited Wilson, although I didn't really tell anyone at the time) and, I might have mentioned something to Cheney about, you know, releasing it. But I didn't tell him to have Libby do it, so it's all good."

[whosinpower]

15. Here is what really matters

Bush knowingly and maliciously allowed a leak to discredit Wilson BECAUSE BUSH WANTED WAR.
It was all done for political reasons - and it had absolutely nothing to do with the truth.

Bush hated Wilson so badly for discrediting what they were trying to say - that he allowed this leak to occur.....why? BECAUSE HE WANTED WAR SO BADLY, HIS HARD ON FOR IT DEPRIVED HIS BRAIN OF THE BLOOD IT NEEDED TO THINK CLEARLY.

That is all you need to keep you eye on - because they are going to try to grey the whole matter over with inconsequential details that will muddy the intent.

It does not matter if Bush did not require that Libby spill the beans. It does not matter that Cheney did Bush dirty work. All that matters is that Bush ordered the hit and let the ball fall where ever it may. He did this because he wanted war. He could taste it, feel it, touch it, fantasize about it. He wanted it - and any time he says he didn't want it....he is a bald faced liar.

[cami715]

20. Exactly!

He abused the power of the office of President to strike out at someone who disagreed with him about the cause for going to war. It was a childish act, consistent with his mentality.

And then he lied repeatedly about it, promising that if anyone in his administration had leaked the information, they would no longer be in his administration, knowing full well that he was the leaker.
What a despicable excuse for a human being! What a morally bankrupt individual!

[rodeodance]

42. But, it still seems odd that Bush (or whoever is directing this) would

allow it out that he wanted to discredit Wilson. To me, this really opens up the can of worms about the lies (or whatever people want to call the misinformation) about the reasons for going to war. This new info really says to the public that it was a a hoax. Bush has enough problems with the war at this moment -and knows his legacy depends on it. And now this. it just does not make sence.

[KC21304]

16. "Get it out there " included Plame's occupation

I would bet my life on it.

[Jade Fox]

18. So, are they gonna have Cheney fall on his sword?

With his approval ratings, he would hardly be a loss. But it won't work.

For those of us old enough to remember Watertgate, it is astonishing how many details of that scandal have been repeated by Bush. When the heat finally made it up to Nixion, he started firing and blaming staff, clearly confident that would get the heat off of him. The problem was that people knew Nixon was guilty. There was enough circumstantial evidence to make his innocence unbelievable.

The GOP seems to have a bit of a problem learning from its mistakes.

[C_U_L8R]

22. It appears that Bush and Cheney are at WAR

with each other

Pass the edamame
(i've had too much popcorn lately from all this comedy)

[lovuian]

25. Looks like Bush is starting to cover his butt... but yes he

ordered the hit on Wilson and didn't care how Cheney did it...

[Imagevision]

26. Here we go again with some more Rove Shufflin baby...!

it wasn't Bush, I mean it really was Cheney but...Libby was supposed to...??? you knowhat I meanm right?

[warrior1]

27. Lawyer: Bush Didn't Direct Libby to Leak

Story is changing.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060409/ap_on_go_pr_wh/cia_leak

WASHINGTON -
President Bush declassified sensitive intelligence in 2003 and authorized its public disclosure to rebut
Iraq war critics, but he did not specifically direct that Vice President
Dick Cheney's former chief of staff, I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, be the one to disseminate the information, an attorney knowledgeable about the case said Saturday.

[ChiciB1]

28. Oh, And You're Not Surprised Are You???

This ALWAYS happens! I know I have the drill down pat!!!

[warrior1]

29. more

Bush merely instructed Cheney to "get it out" and left the details to him, said the lawyer, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the case for the White House. The vice president chose Libby and communicated the president's wishes to his then-top aide, the lawyer said.

It is not known when the conversation between Bush and Cheney took place. The White House has declined to provide the date when the president used his authority to declassify the portions of the October 2002 National Intelligence Estimate, a classified document that detailed the intelligence community's conclusions about weapons of mass destruction in Iraq.

[Cooley Hurd]

30. I am SO SICK OF THE FUCKING LIES BY THIS ADMINISTRATION!

Fuck them and their attempts to change the story!!! I WANT THEM OUT OF THE PEOPLE'S HOUSE NOW!!!!

(What you've just witnessed is me losing my goddamn cool:grr::mad::grr::mad::grr:)

[still_one]

34. the story isn't different, he still authorized the leak

he still OUTED the CIA agent, and lied about it

that is the facts

[reprobate]

56. It's time to end the occupation of the White House.

[mac56]

31. Well, it's obvious...

that we need a hearing.

Let the Party of Responsibility step up and tell what they know. After all, if they've done nothing wrong, they don't have anything to be afraid of, right...........?

[still_one]

32. sorry but the headline is misleading

he authorized the leak:

"Bush merely instructed Cheney to "get it out" and left the details to him, said the lawyer, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the case for the White House. The vice president chose Libby and communicated the president's wishes to his then-top aide, the lawyer said."

whether he designated libby to be the one or someone else is irrelevent, bush AUTHORIZED THE LEAK

[warrior1]

33. this is yahoo's headline not mine

[still_one]

35. I know, I wasn't critisizing you

it is the media that trys to alter the perception, but the content of the story is still the same

[warrior1]

36. Ten-four

But, you see this 'lawyer' who was instructed to get this out asap is to save bush's ass. To get him away from libby..bush is still the leaker in chief.

[still_one]

38. I'm right with you

I only hope the Democrats in Congress do NOT let this die.

[lovuian]

37. Bush is turning on Cheney... Interesting... but did he tell Cheney

to go after Wilson... thats the ???

[jazzjunkysue]

49. I guess we know what the whole aspens turning crap was about, now

"You went into jail in the summer. It is fall now. You will have stories to cover--Iraqi elections and suicide bombers, biological threats and the Iranian nuclear program. Out West, where you vacation, the aspens will already be turning. They turn in clusters, because their roots connect them. Come back to work--and life."

Love letter from Libby to Judith, while she was parked in a DC jail cell trying to save his pathetic behind.

The aspens are turning so fast, they're gonna drill a tunnel to china.

The roots seem to have them all by the neck, seems to me.

If we didn't have so many dead and suffering people in Iraq, this would be fun to watch.

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

39. The "logic" here...

is that the President can declassify anything he wants and any time he wants, so when he leaked the information about Valerie Plame, it was not a leak of classified information because Bush himself had decided to "declassify" it without telling anybody -- and I would pointedly include to the Senate Intelligence Committee on the list of people who don't need to be informed.

Welcome to the Imperial Presidency.

Any Democrat who doesn't sign on to Feingold's censure now is a candy-ass and should be run out of the party.

[rodeodance]

43. and who will shake their fingers at him?

[rodeodance]

40. you say the story is changing--well, this is the WH lawyer telling it.

.....Story is changing.

[DavidDvorkin]

44. "Will no one rid me of this troublesome priest?"

"Oh, gee, I didn't order you to kill him!"

[Rex]

45. So Bush released the info of an active CIA agent in the field

to rebut Iraqi war critics? Sounds like treason to me. Just like all the other traitorous trash, Bush should be held accountable for his treasonous act.

It is TREASON to rat out an active agent, it is NOT legal no matter WHO you are!

[rocktivity]

46. Candidate for this month's "You Call This NEWS?" award

Bush may think he's in charge, but I think he was deliberately let in on this so that in case anything went wrong, he could be thrown under the bus, and Cheney can take over. As for the source being an "attorney knowledgeable about the case," could he be CHENEY'S attorney, by chance?

:headbang:
rocknation

[LynnTheDem]

48. George W. bush; you are a traitorous piece of shit.

Belligerant spoiled brat. Send bush to Iraq. Frontlines. No body armor.

[jazzjunkysue]

50. You forgot the pretzle. And the bike.

His weapons of self destruction.

[pepperbear]

52. Pheeeew! Thank goodness that's dispensed with!

So,what is Paris Hilton up to?

[sturgisa]

53. Bush

The very sad thing is that the American Experiment has failed. We thought that if we set up a righteous government, it would work. It has not. It seems that we should have put in those Parlimentarian procedures and we could vote out the scofflaws. Beyond all of this American taudriness, is a much bigger concern. How are we going to care for the earth in a meaningful way? I am seriously worried about the environmental issues we face. They seems gigantic compared to the political farce. Mahalo for you time and energy. A

[Festivito]

60. Welcome. And do not rush to decide.

After all, what might you have to put in its place.

Come, we go "... form a more perfect union ...."

[Hekate]

55. Of course: * is the "big picture guy" & Cheney's the "detail man"

Den of snakes. Evil, misbegotten, SOBs.

Hekate

[wizdum]

57. Bush has no shame...

He has no trouble at all basically admitting to the whole country that he defers everything to Chain-ey, even his dirty work. This is an act of treason. Bush is a national disgrace and should be thrown out of office without delay.

[Buns_of_Fire]

61. ...or throw him out WITH DeLay. I'm not picky.

And Welcome to DU!

[wizdum]

70. Thanks for the warm welcome buns of fire...

...do you have a video out? I'm sure if you do it's giving buns of steel a run for it's money. :p

[rman]

58. Lawyer? What lawyer? A Bush lawyer i presume?

How many lawyers does W have anyway, and since when do lawyers remain anonymous while speaking on behalf of their client?

[bklyncowgirl]

59. Will no one rid me of this meddlesome ambassador?

Leaving out the details did not save Henry II from humiliation when he ordered the hit on Thomas Beckett and this does not absolve Bush.

When someone hires a hitman he doesn't tell him what caliber gun to use.

If this came from Bush's lawyer it's pretty damn lame.

[glitch]

62. These guys should never have shot the moon. They just aren't smart enough

to carry it off. When you shoot the moon you have to carry all the tricks. They didn't even consider the Internet. They thought with their corporate funding and vast money laundering schemes, having the media, holding congress, executive branch, most of the judiciary and most of the military, they could shoot the moon. But "most of" won't cut it, and ignoring an entire hand like the Internet, well. Not too bright.
Guess that's why they have to resort to brute force all the time.

Anybody else getting the feeling the really big archetypes are at play here? Not just Rove's simplistic good v. evil drama that we're all supposed to be enthralled with...
I think the Trickster is in the theater as well. I think the Trickster came onstage when they said they could create their own reality.

I think they are doomed.

(my only question remains, will they take us with them?)

[savemefromdumbya]

66. Bush did hire a lawyer when he spoke to Fitz last

maybe Bush and Cheney should be hauled back infront of the GJ?

[hippiechick]

68. Typical - friend of Poppy doing the grunt work for the boy King ...

:puke:

[NastyRiffraff]

69. "Get it out"

...said the Godfather to the Consigliari.

Done.

It's coming down, folks. When they try to "exonerate" Bush and this is the BEST they can do, it's all over but the shouting.

We can't depend on Congress to have the cojones to do anything like this, but it should be talked up to every friend we have, letters written to editors.

In Bush's words, GET IT OUT!