Fitzgerald May Testify on Prosecution of Libby Case, Leahy Says

[sabra]

Source: Bloomberg

July 8 (Bloomberg) -- U.S. attorney Patrick Fitzgerald may be called to testify about his prosecution of former vice presidential aide Lewis ``Scooter'' Libby, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy said.

Leahy and Arlen Specter, the ranking Republican on the panel, indicated they want to discuss sentencing guidelines in light of President George W. Bush's commutation of Libby's sentence and also to quiz Fitzgerald on his handling of the case.

``I still haven't figured out what that case is all about,'' Specter said. ``There are a lot of ramifications that I think we ought to go into. Why were they pursuing the matter long after there was no underlying crime on the outing of the CIA agent? Why were they pursuing it after we knew who the leaker was?''

Leahy, appearing with Specter, of Pennsylvania, on CNN's ``Late Edition,'' noted they both are former prosecutors and said he has ``some of the very same questions in mind.'' Smiling, he added: ``You might find it to be an interesting hearing.''

Read more: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aoa3WqExbBAo&refer=home

[indie_voter]

1. Good. I hope he does. n/t

[Malva Zebrina]

2. Hope this does not turn out to be bread and circus

with no concrete results from the interview, if it does happen. It sounds as if it could be sensationalism without consequence.Just a little skepticism at this point.

[rodeodance]

3. umm. wonder they asked/talked to Fritz yet?

[truth2power]

4. In the meantime...I know this has become a cliche, but

he should stay off of small planes. Seriously!

[madrchsod]

5. great talking point arlen,did you get this from karl

or did you think this up all by yourself?

[daleo]

6. I think Fitzgerald would make them look like fools

He seems to have it together. This is typical Republican hubris.

[Pokey Anderson]

24. Make them LOOK like fools?

You mean, expose them for the fools/cronies/colluders they are?

[daleo]

25. You're right, of course

He would show them up for what they are. He seems to have a talent.

[LynnTheDem]

7. "was no underlying crime on the outing of the CIA agent" ...EXCUSE ME???!

Outing a NOC is in fact a crime. But not when you're a stupid MFing rightwingnut, obviously.

[bleever]

8. Specter knows

that the "no underlying crime" story is a lie. It sounds like he's willing to have that lie publicly examined, while maintaining his "innocence".

Say what you want about Arlen Specter (please!), but my guess is that he cares more about America than he does about GWB.

[OzarkDem]

10. Nah

He's just good at playing the game of appearing objective and distancing himself from his party, then jumping back in bed with them in the end.

Its just Snarlin' Arlen's con game.

[bleever]

11. I can disprove your point...

NOT.

But a fella can dream, can't he?

[rosesaylavee]

12. I like this take on Arlen... its more positive than what

I was about to post.

[defendandprotect]

16. Who would possibly trust Specter/Magic Bullet man -- ??????

Specter played a huge role in covering up the coup on JFK --

And he hasn't become any more trustworthy since then -- Egads!!!

[bleever]

18. It's a crazy thought

that the magic bullet might take one extra turn, after all these years, right at Arlen.

Not likely, or even sane. But if sanity was the baseline, we wouldn't be here.

[orleans]

19. he was a better person when his hair was gone. n/t

[Uncle Joe]

30. For some reason,

Socrates comes to mind, edit to add, I hope this is the case.

[The Backlash Cometh]

9. Be still my foolish heart.

[bleever]

14. OT sigline comment:

Schmole = Fred Thompson.


To win, he has to present himself as above and beyond Bush, a Republican anti-Bush.


Free swingin' Fred has a face for the camera, he's got good pipes. He can play the president on TV.


In 2008, that won't be enough.

[badgerpup]

13. OK...riddle me this, Batman.

IF there was no underlying crime...
then why was Scooter lying about it?

IIRC, the charges he was convicted of were perjury (that's 'lying under oath', for you lurking freepers) and obstruction of justice.

Incidentally, this just might be one of the reasons that Bush won't allow Meirs, Rove, Rice, et al to testify under oath. That ups the stakes too much...and lying under oath is different from the everyday stuff they do as a matter of course.

At least, it's supposed to be...
SOME :sarcasm:

[defendandprotect]

15. Should be an interesting week coming up --

but then they have a long vacation --

Reid/Pelosi should cancel the vacations. After all, we're at war --

and they want another $4,400 per annum to do their jobs!!!!

[orleans]

20. i would like another $4000 to do my job--i'd even take it as a one time payment. n/t

[Mind_your_head]

17. Arlen Specter is the quintessential 'Mr. Trickster'

Extreme caution should be used when interfacing with that guy, imho.....he's not for the naive.

edit: changed 'original' to 'quintessential' in subject line

[garybeck]

21. Fitzgerald will not testify unless he's subpoena'd.

he's already been called to testify once and he declined. this matter has been discussed extensively...

[BootinUp]

22. I agree with you. n/t

[garybeck]

23. And I think he would fight the subpoena too n/t

[Pokey Anderson]

28. Why would Fitz fight a subpoena, Gary?

I would think he would want the facts on the table.

Unless he still has something up his sleeve, a further indictment possibility. But, I've had those hopes dashed too many times to put much stock in them.

[robinlynne]

26. good. and let's stop the "There was no underlying crime" CRAP. Let's prosecute for the underlying

crime.

[mvd]

27. That would be great

I don't think Justice Kennedy would vote with the Wingnut 4 if Bush tried executive privilege here.

[Peace Patriot]

29. I've followed Fitzgerald's investigation, read many of his documents, and

read all the live blogging of his court appearances at firedoglake, on the Libby case, and my sense of him is that he would like to counter this bullshit of "no underlying crime" and the Bush commutation of Libby's sentence bullshit. He may have his reasons for not wanting to appear except in response to a subpoena. That doesn't mean he doesn't want to appear. If and when he does appear, his presentation will be quiet, but absolutely devastating, and he will take Arlen Spectral to pieces.

[PRETZEL]

31. didn't that have to do with not revealing grand jury testimony

and being bound by secrecy as prosecuting attorney?