Shades of Hutton as inquiry puts heat on the President's men

[hang a left]

Americas

The Times October 19, 2005

Shades of Hutton as inquiry puts heat on the President's men

By David Charter in Washington

HE HAS been likened to Eliot Ness, the fearless Prohibition-era prosecutor who brought Al Capone to justice. Like Ness, Patrick Fitzgerald hails from Chicago and has a reputation for being meticulous, impartial and relentless.

But Mr Fitzgerald, 44, an independent attorney-general, is not investigating an underworld godfather. He has spent almost two years probing the highest levels of the US Government in an investigation that threatens to land some of the most senior figures at the White House in court. During his inquiry into the leak of a CIA agent’s name to the media, Mr Fitzgerald has privately interviewed President Bush, the Vice-President, Dick Cheney, and a host of their officials.

Washington is abuzz with speculation that, perhaps as soon as this week, Mr Fitzgerald could indict Karl Rove — Mr Bush’s most senior adviser and the man the President calls his “architect” — and Mr Cheney’s chief of staff, Lewis “Scooter” Libby.

Charges could come under espionage laws that prohibit the identification of a secret agent, or perjury laws covering obstruction of justice.

They would plunge Mr Bush deeper into trouble at a time when some of his traditional conservative supporters are already furious at the soaring budget deficit and his nomination of a close friend, Harriet Miers, for the vacant seat on the Supreme Court. If indicted, Mr Rove would be expected to set aside his White House duties until he is cleared.

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http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,11069-1832418,00.html

[McKenzie]

1. The Hutton Report was a whitewash

that's becoming clearer and clearer as new information emerges.

As for The Times...take my word as a sceptical Brit...it is NOT a progressive newspaper.

I have my own views on the Fitz investigation but I'm saying nothing...yet.

<snip>

There may be lessons from the Hutton inquiry for those on Capitol Hill. Lord Hutton’s investigation aroused fevered speculation that it could spell the end for various ministers, spy chiefs and civil servants. In the event, his report exonerated Mr Blair’s administration.

</snip>

The important word in The Times article is "exonerated".

[hang a left]

2. yes I read that.

I was just posting the article to get response.

[McKenzie]

3. Sorry if it was read as an attack - none intended

cheers hang a left.

You are one of the posters whose posts I read carefully.

[hang a left]

5. I didn't take it that way at all.

:hi:

[Tom Bombadil]

4. I'm really worried that this Plame Investigation

is going to be a big disappointment, just like the Hutton report was in the UK. I can't help being pessimistic but DU at the moment feels like it did just before the 2004 election - false hope.