Cheney comms director tells Libby jurors VP used Meet the Press to "control message"

[BurtWorm]

Not news, of course, but you never hear Bushists sharing any kind of professional secrets, not even when under oath.


http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/25/AR2007012501951.html

Memo to Tim Russert: Dick Cheney thinks he controls you.

This delicious morsel about the "Meet the Press" host and the vice president was part of the extensive dish Cathie Martin served up yesterday when the former Cheney communications director took the stand in the perjury trial of former Cheney chief of staff I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby.

Flashed on the courtroom computer screens were her notes from 2004 about how Cheney could respond to allegations that the Bush administration had played fast and loose with evidence of Iraq's nuclear ambitions. Option 1: "MTP-VP," she wrote, then listed the pros and cons of a vice presidential appearance on the Sunday show. Under "pro," she wrote: "control message."

"I suggested we put the vice president on 'Meet the Press,' which was a tactic we often used," Martin testified. "It's our best format."

It is unclear whether the first week of the trial will help or hurt Libby or the administration. But the trial has already pulled back the curtain on the White House's PR techniques and confirmed some of the darkest suspicions of the reporters upon whom they are used. Relatively junior White House aides run roughshod over members of the president's Cabinet. Bush aides charged with speaking to the public and the media are kept out of the loop on some of the most important issues. And bad news is dumped before the weekend for the sole purpose of burying it.

With a candor that is frowned upon at the White House, Martin explained the use of late-Friday statements. "Fewer people pay attention to it late on Friday," she said. "Fewer people pay attention when it's reported on Saturday."

...

[cassiepriam]

1. I am beginning to think I don't care what happens to Libby, I am enjoying the new dirt so much.

Keep it coming witnesses!

[Missy Vixen]

2. This is HUGE

>Martin explained the use of late-Friday statements. "Fewer people pay attention to it late on Friday," she said. "Fewer people pay attention when it's reported on Saturday."<

Cathie Martin just a) destroyed Russert's credibility (like he had any before this afternoon,) and b) admitted the White House does Friday afternoon document dumps.

Julie
still president for life of the PFEB

[cassiepriam]

3. I know, isn't this juicy? I can't wait for the next installment.

[TahitiNut]

8. We've all known this. Shouldn't we have confidence in our intelligence?

I get the distinct impression that some don't really believe what they say on DU - and say it for effect and not literal fact. Not me. I very rarely use hyperbole. The "Friday evening news dump" has a long-established reputation. That Russert (and the rest) are being 'played' is obvious. That they roll over and let it happen is obvious, too.

[Missy Vixen]

9. TahitiNut, most of America doesn't know it, though

>some don't really believe what they say on DU - and say it for effect and not literal fact.<

I realize that most of America won't hear this unless they get it from ABCNBCCBSFAUXCNNMSNBC, but truly, those of us who post here regularly have known this for quite some time. It's now been confirmed under oath and in a court of law that our media was being manipulated. It'll help in the future when we're talking to skeptical family, friends, neighbors and co-workers about why we distrust traditional media.

Julie

[mzmolly]

11. Indeed, vindication once again.

I wish I could say it was "sweet" but, I'll take it in any flavor at this point. :hi:

[happydreams]

19. For all these years at DU people have been referring to the

Friday news dumps. Out of curiosity I would like to know he had the first hunch about this.

[napi21]

4. HA! Notalot we didn't know already!

30 years ago, I knew if a company hadbad news, you released itfriday afternoon around 4:30PM. Why would anyone thing the WH would think anything different?

I'm glad to see the manipulation of the media is finally getting exposed. We have know this for many years,but maybe a few people who actually pay attention to this trial just might learn something.

I'm alsoSURE Timmyisjust thrilled with this being made public! HA HA HA

[Lex]

5. So Mainstream Media (Corporate Media) has soldiers blood

on their hands too. They have clearly been pushing the rightwing agenda for YEARS.

As we knew.

[TahitiNut]

6. I think it's amazing that ANYONE who worked in the OVP could even come close to the truth.

The tsunami of lies issuing forth from the White House over the past 6 years sure has lowered my expectations.

[KoKo]

7. BombShell from Article! Cathie Martin is married to FCC Chairman Kevin Martin!

Shouldn't this be a HUGE Conflict of Interest? There's Cathie Martin Communications Director to Cheney and now to Bush feeding info about Valerie Plame to reporters and her Hubby later gets a Job as FCC Chair? :eyes: There need to be more restrictions on this rampant nepotism that's occurred in this Bush White House. It's one Big FAMILY ...so no wonder there are so few leaks...but this connection is one of the worst...imho.

----------from the article:


Cathie Martin served up yesterday when the former Cheney communications director took the stand in the perjury trial of former Cheney chief of staff I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby.

During her testimony, Martin, a Harvard Law School graduate married to FCC Chairman Kevin Martin and a close pal of Bush counselor Dan Bartlett, seemed uncomfortable, shifting in her chair, squinting at her interrogators, stealing quick glances at the jury, and repeatedly touching her cheek, ear, nose, lips and scalp.

[Missy Vixen]

10. I'm wondering if Cathie still has a job this evening

It's hard to believe she'll be able to go back there after the testimony today. I actually felt sorry for her during emptywheel's liveblogging. It was stated that both Barbara Comstock and Mrs. Libby deliberately sat in an area directly in Ms. Martin's vision. Whatever was going on was obviously upsetting to Ms. Martin. The scene was described as "so tense you could cut it with a knife".

I realize she works for Cheney, but I wouldn't want to spend an entire day being questioned. No, thank you.

Julie

[kskiska]

17. Just looking at Barbara Comstock would be upsetting

to anyone.

[depakid]

15. Yet the Democrats aopproved his appointment anyway

Typical.

[mzmolly]

12. Recommended,

thanks BW, this is very important news.

That first line is :wow: Memo to Tim Russert: Dick Cheney thinks he controls you

[Rageneau]

13. It's beginning to look a lot like Fitzmas.

[depakid]

14. Russert's been a far right enabler and propagandist

for years now. He's dishonest and lacks integrity- though unlike Fox "news" most people have quite caught on to that fact yet. Hopefully, this will help to expose him for the little weasel that he is.

[C_U_L8R]

16. Timmy is a tool.

Quite literally

[Jemmons]

18. The gift that keep giving n/t

:popcorn: