Tim Russert has finally taken the stand in the Scooter Libby case. Here is a quick refresher for the non-Plameologists.
Scooter Libby testified that he did not leak Valerie Plame’s identity or occupation to anyone until after he heard about her from Tim Russert. He called Tim Russert on July 10th, 2003 to complain about Chris Matthew’s Hardball shows of July 8 and 9. And Libby told the FBI and testified to the grand jury that during this conversation Russert asked him if he knew that Ambassador Wilson’s wife worked at the CIA. Libby testified that he responded by saying that he did not know that and that Russert responded by saying that all the reporters knew about it.
This was important because Libby was arguing that when he discussed Valerie Plame wih Matt Cooper he did not pass on classified information but gossip he heard from reporters.
Fitzgerald brought Russert onto the stand and he denied this version of events. He said that Libby called up to complain about Chris Matthews and that they discussed contacts for the producers of his show. And nothing else.
So, the defense’s job is to make a case that it just isn’t plausible that big Tim Russert, during the height of the Joe Wilson story, would not use an opportunity with the chief of staff of the Vice-President (where the fingers were being pointed) to ask him about Wilson’s allegations. Seems plausible. Why wouldn’t Russert ask? Watch Team Libby’s theory get eviscerated by Tim Russert.
Ted Wells is one of Libby’s attorneys. ‘W’ stands for Wells, ‘T’ stands for Tim Russert. Enjoy.
(Ted Wells begins cross-examination.)
W: You said Libby call began confidential and became a complaint, right?
T: Correct.
W: But complaint began right away… so confidential part lasted a nanosecond, right?
T: A complaint, but I kept it confidential
W: You and Libby are not friends?
T: Acquaintances, not friends?
W: Ever been to his house?
T: No.
(More questions like this — ever met his kids, gone to relationship, sporting events, etc. Tim says no.)
W: Even your professional relationship is limited, right?
T: Just meeting when VP is on MTP, etc.
W: You are not indebted to Libby in any way, right?
T: Right.
W: You have never indicated that you would assist Libby in telling a false story to the FBI, right?
T: Right.
W: Do you accept characterization that he called you as a viewer?
T: Well, I don’t normally take complaint calls. (this is a paraphrased exchange, not quite so glib in reality)
W: He did not call as a source, though.
T: Right.
(Wells feels this is worth writing on a display.)
W: He called you in your managerial capacity of NBC News, right?
T: I didn’t know it at first, but yes.
(Wells writes this down, too.)
(Wells asks various questions establishing that Russert is a big cheese at NBC — Fitz objects, and it’s sustained,when Wells asks if Russert is paid more than $5 million/year.)
(Wells then goes through several quotes from Russert — books, interviews — on his approach to journalism, always aggressive, always seeking information)
W: When you returned from vacation, Niger/uranium story was big, right?
T: Yes.
W: You understand that OVP and VP himself were part of the story, right?
W: You saw Wilson on MTP, even on vacation, right?
T: Yes.
W: How did Wilson come to appear?
T: Producer saw op-ed on advance wire, invited him to appear.
W: Is this typical?
T: Wasn’t my decision.
W: Is it what you do?
T: Not usually, don’t have time.
W: You didn’t ask Libby any questions about Wilson when you had him on the phone?
T: That’s right.
W: You had the chief of staff of the VP on the phone, and
T: It was very much a listening mode — he was very agitated, not in the mood to talk.
W: But you didn’t take the opportunity?
T: He was saying VP wasn’t involved, I took what he said in the spirit he was offering it.
W: Weren’t people at NBC trying to learn about Wilson trip?
T; Yes, they were.
W: Why didn’t you ask chief of staff of VP?
T: Didn’t have opportunity.
W: Why not?
T: Was complainding about program I hadn’t seen, so I did
W: Wouldn’t have been natural for you to ask, though?
T: Wasn’t a natural phone call. Never had one like that from such a high official, complaining and agitated.
W: But such an aggressive journalist, such a big story
T: What I said is what happened.
W: Do you have a present recollection of not discussing Wilson’s wife, are you just reasoning backwards from the fact that you did not know about her until Novak’s column.
T: I have no recollection, but it would have been impossible.
Say goodnight Irene.
