Bush Authorized Leak to Times, Libby Told Grand Jury

[Edan]

A former White House aide under indictment for obstructing a leak probe, I. Lewis Libby, testified to a grand jury that he gave information from a closely-guarded "National Intelligence Estimate" on Iraq to a New York Times reporter in 2003 with the specific permission of President Bush, according to a new court filing from the special prosecutor in the case.

The court papers from the prosecutor, Patrick Fitzgerald, do not suggest that Mr. Bush violated any law or rule. However, the new disclosure could be awkward for the president because it places him, for the first time, directly in a chain of events that led to a meeting where prosecutors contend the identity of a CIA employee, Valerie Plame, was provided to a reporter.

Mr. Libby is said to have testified that "at first" he rebuffed Mr. Cheney's suggestion to release the information because the estimate was classified. However, according to the vice presidential aide, Mr. Cheney subsequently said he got permission for the release directly from Mr. Bush. "Defendant testified that the vice president later advised him that the president had authorized defendant to disclose the relevant portions of the NIE," the prosecution filing said.

http://nysun.com/timesleak.php

[Imran Siddiqui]

Well that's not going to be good for the President..

[Richelieu]

"Defendant testified that the vice president later advised him that the president had authorized defendant to disclose the relevant portions of the NIE,"

So he didn't talk to Bush directly. I wouldn't put it past Cheney to have taken this upon himself...

[Dinner]

I saw this but didn't want to be the first to post it. I'm not sure about the New York Sun as I know nothing about them.

I must say it sounds exactly like something Bush would do. Authorize a felony then attempt to hide that it occured then when it is discovered to attempt to blame the lower downs. Just another day in the Bush White House.

[Dinner]

The good news is that Libby has reportedly also rolled over on Cheney and Rove. I'm sure Bush will provide pardons for all of his loyal law breaking croonies on his last day in office but I still hope to see these crooks convicted.

[Velociryx]

Blame Clinton. Couldn't have been Saint Bush's fault.

Just couldn't have.

-=Vel=-

[Richelieu]

In 40 years a man named Litty will apply for a job at the White House and receive a reply from the staffing department asking "Are you out of your ****ing mind?"

[Ogie Oglethorpe]

So essentially we are talking about the President authorizing disclosure of classified material on July 8th that was officially declassified on July 18th.

[Sava]

and the fact they declassified it so soon after had nothing to do with the fact that he disclosed the THEN CLASSIFIED information, right?

it's like stealing something, then making theft legal ten days later

I'm just surprised it took them ten days to for the CYA move... which is what the declassification was... essentially

but to be perfectly honest, I don't give a flying **** about this ****... Bush has done far worse... however, this IS something that Bush can be nailed on. And IMO, since he can't be nailed on other stuff, he should be nailed to the wall for this.

But nothing will end up happening... it doesn't matter.

[Ogie Oglethorpe]

Not arguing the illegality (assuming one holds the President doesn't have the power to declassify documents considering his (and his desgnees) is the power to classify documents in the first place) simply putting the issue in its context.

[Dinner]

Originally posted by Velociryx
Blame Clinton. Couldn't have been Saint Bush's fault.

Just couldn't have.

-=Vel=-

You must have been visiting the FREEPERS lately. They're all convinced it is a lie of the lib'ur'al media or somehow Clinton getting a blow job justifies Bush commiting a felony.

[Velociryx]

Actually I was being sarcastic. I'm counting the HOURS til this buffoon is out of office.



-=Vel=-

[Dinner]

Originally posted by Ogie Oglethorpe
So essentially we are talking about the President authorizing disclosure of classified material on July 8th that was officially declassified on July 18th.

Yes, after the press got a hold of the story (that the White House had deliberately exposed the identity of a CIA undercover operative because her husband publicly spoke out against Bush's WMD claims) then the White House tried to cover its ass by declassifying the material. Such games don't change the facts that a felony has been commited, that numerous people in the White House have been actively attempting to obstruct justice, and that numerous people including the President have repeatedly lied to investigators and the media about their rule in this felony.

That the CIA itself has said the leak damaged them and cost them millions in blown covers, exposed agents, and the cost of setting up new front companies speaks volumes. If Bush will personally break the law on this and the wire tap issue then it is clear he will break the law any time he feels like it.

[Ogie Oglethorpe]

Originally posted by Oerdin


Yes, after the press got a hold of the story (that the White House had deliberately exposed the identity of a CIA undercover operative because her husband publicly spoke out against Bush's WMD claims) then the White House tried to cover its ass by declassifying the material. Such games don't change the facts that a felony has been commited, that numerous people in the White House have been actively attempting to obstruct justice, and that numerous people including the President have repeatedly lied to investigators and the media about their rule in this felony.

That the CIA itself has said the leak damaged them and cost them millions in blown covers, exposed agents, and the cost of setting up new front companies speaks volumes. If Bush will personally break the law on this and the wire tap issue then it is clear he will break the law any time he feels like it.

Two completley different leaks my friend. The NIE talked to only the WMD capabilities of Sadaam and the CIA estimates, not the outing of Plame in any regard.

To date the only charge capable of being placed on the President would be contingent on whether the President does not have the authority to declassify documents.

I'll not comment on that for now.

[Koyaanisqatsi]

Putting aside the (much larger) issue of the leak itself...

Didn't Bush get up in front of the press at one point and say he was going to hunt down whoever leaked it and appropriate measures would be taken? While, apparently, he was the one who authorized it. Um. Yeah. Can we kick him out yet?

"I did not have textual relations with that man, Mr. Libby"...