OK, I have to admit that I've fallen off the end of the train on this one. I have the general idea of what the case was about---a White House aide was identified as the guy who outed the identity of a CIA agent, thereby making her useless and putting her in danger---but I'm very fuzzy about the details. Was Libby made the scapegoat when someone higher up bleated about Plane, was he acting under orders, or what? Are there any implications about the other people in/near the White House, now that Libby's found guilty?
Cheney outed Plame. Directly. Deliberately. Explicitly. He blew her cover to the press. He did so on Bush's direct and explicit handwritten order, the original of which is in the hands of the US Attorney. He has not been charged. Neither has Bush.
Libby ALSO outed Plame, on Cheney's direct written order, to a different reporter. He did so directly, deliberately, and explicitly. He has not been charged with outing a CIA agent. During the investigation, he was caught lying to investigators, obstructing the investigation, and generally covering his ass. THAT'S what he was charged with, and found guilty.
The argument is that the President apparently has the constitutional power to determine whom is an agent worthy of protection and whom isn't, I'd imagine; at least that's the best prima facie argument I can see for Bush and Cheney's lawyers.
Nowhere. Libby is the scapegoat. If he agrees to testify against Cheney, Cheney will get a full pre-emptive pardon. If they make noises about charging Bush, then there will be a massive scorched-earth policy of retribution from above and the scandal will be milked as "proof the libruls want the terrists to win" for the 2008 election. In 2008, either the Republicans will win and Bush will pass into history unmolested, or the Democrats will win, Bush will resign on his last day and his replacement will pardon him before giving up the office, and Bush will pass into history unmolested.
There's no need for scorched earth retribution. Bush is the ultimate authority on what is and isn't classified US govt. information. On his say so, nothing illegal was done in releasing this information. It comes with the office.
Now, if he did this, I suspect every last operative in every intel agency out there would immediately resign, but Bush is too stupid and/or too arrogant to consider this.
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(no subject)
Date: 2007-03-06 05:36 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2007-03-06 05:57 pm (UTC)Cheney outed Plame. Directly. Deliberately. Explicitly. He blew her cover to the press. He did so on Bush's direct and explicit handwritten order, the original of which is in the hands of the US Attorney. He has not been charged. Neither has Bush.
Libby ALSO outed Plame, on Cheney's direct written order, to a different reporter. He did so directly, deliberately, and explicitly. He has not been charged with outing a CIA agent. During the investigation, he was caught lying to investigators, obstructing the investigation, and generally covering his ass. THAT'S what he was charged with, and found guilty.
(no subject)
Date: 2007-03-06 06:13 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2007-03-06 05:44 pm (UTC)Trying to tamp down the cynic in me.
(no subject)
Date: 2007-03-06 06:00 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2007-03-06 06:06 pm (UTC)Because there's a bet about this that I am NOT comfortable even obliquely discussing online or over the phone that I'd love to get your take on.
(no subject)
Date: 2007-03-06 06:09 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2007-03-06 07:18 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2007-03-06 06:09 pm (UTC)Now, if he did this, I suspect every last operative in every intel agency out there would immediately resign, but Bush is too stupid and/or too arrogant to consider this.