Why Libby would say that Bush authorized leaks

[Jersey Devil]

The WH is going to say that Bush declassified very limited portions of the NIE briefing (that's bad enough I would think) but not any parts about Plame or that would jeopardize national security (if you don't count going to war on lies). Then Libby will say Cheney passed it on to Libby and Cheney lied to Libby about the scope of the leaks authorized by Bush, making it sound to Libby as though Bush had authorized everything when in fact he had not.

Then Libby goes before a jury and says, "Hey, I was only doing what I thought my President said was OK to do."

Of course, Cheney will say "I never told him any such thing." The jury, in order to find Libby not guilty (if that indeed is a valid defense), will have to conclude that Cheney (or Bush, or both) is a liar.

[salin]

1. so if parts of the NIE were declassified - did they go to the congrssnl

intel committees? If not - then the only purpose of 'declassifying' was completely political and self-serving - raising the question of whether the point of classiication/declassification is used for political - or national security reasons.

[Jersey Devil]

6. Yes, but I was just addressing Libby's motives for saying Bush

authorized leaks, in order to bolster a defense that will, at the heart of it, say that he thought everything he said had been authorized.

[salin]

11. I know I am just trying on the deflecting arguments :D

[H2O Man]

2. As Libby is not

charged with those things you speak of, they are not at issue in his trial.

They surely are in the bigger picture, though.

[speedoo]

3. But that does not address Scooter's perjury charge.

At least not directly.

[Jersey Devil]

9. True, but it give the jury something to hang their hats on

if they feel sorry for him and think he was made a patsy. Having the jury like a defendant is a good part of the battle. If they see him as someone who was left to hang out to dry and not the real culprit they might be inclined to cut him a break despite the facts.

[speedoo]

12. No competent judge would allow a jury to hear any testimony on this.

I'm no lawyer, but that's what I think.

[xultar]

4. He didn't he said Dick said Chimp authorised.

[Jersey Devil]

10. yes, exactly

and Dick lied to him, so Libby was just a poor, innocent man following what his boss told him was OK to do.

[warrens]

5. Somewhere, this is in writing

So eventually we will find out who is telling the truth. My money is on Libby as the most truthful of the three.

[w13rd0]

7. COVERUP!

COVERUP! LYING! COVERUP! Personal agendas placed before national security. END OF STORY!

Bush, Cheney, LIARS AND TRAITORS!

[BootinUp]

8. I agree.

So this will have some impact on credibility with people that have begun to question Bush's credibility, still pretty damamging I think.

[LittleClarkie]

13. The technical term is

"throwing him under the bus"