A trip to the recent past. Mehlman shows Fitzgerald the love on MTP.

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

We all know the repubs are itching to go after the special prosecutor.

However, only two weeks ago, mehlman was singing the praises of Fitzgerald on MTP. (admittedly, not to the point of agreeing with him if there are indictments).

Read and enjoy. :hi:

Mr. Russert: So by confirming a story from Robert Novak or sharing information with Matt Cooper, no matter where it came from, if, in fact, it was classified information, without seeking to determine whether it was declassified, it is an unauthorized disclosure.

MR. MEHLMAN: Well, you're making an assumption that it's classified information. In fact, what the story on Friday, you pointed out, shows, and what earlier stories have shown is that this information at least came to Mr. Rove from journalists, not from a classified source. But, again, here we are speculating. We should have confidence. I have tremendous confidence in Pat Fitzgerald. He's a career prosecutor. He's a tough prosecutor. That's why he was put in charge of this case, because people want to get to the bottom of it.

And that's why it is so outrageous that these partisan smears would occur this past week. The question is this: Do the people that are smearing Karl Rove not have confidence in Mr. Fitzgerald? Do they not think, in fact, he's going to get to the bottom of it? Or would they rather, than getting to the facts, try to make political gain?

MR. RUSSERT: You say you have tremendous confidence in Pat Fitzgerald.

MR. MEHLMAN: I do.

MR. RUSSERT: If, in fact, he indicts White House officials, will you accept that indictment and not fight it?

MR. MEHLMAN: First of all, I'm the chairman of the Republican National Committee. I'm not an attorney for anybody. The fact is I look forward to his getting to the bottom of this. I can't speak for...

MR. RUSSERT: But if he indicts White House officials...

MR. MEHLMAN: Right.

MR. RUSSERT: ...will you pledge today, because you have tremendous confidence in him, that you will not criticize his decision?

MR. MEHLMAN: Again, I'm not going to speculate. I have tremendous confidence in him. I look to getting to the bottom of this. Whatever he does, I can assure you, people are going to follow and are going to look to abide by.

MR. PODESTA: Just say "yes," Ken.:rofl:(my favorite part of the transcript)

MR. MEHLMAN: But I think it would be inappropriate for me as the RNC chairman to say what legal strategy people may take in the future.

MR. RUSSERT: But if you have tremendous confidence in him, then you will respect and accept his decision.

MR. MEHLMAN: I look forward to hearing what he has to say, and I intend to respect what he has to say, but, again, I'm not going to speculate on what he might do.

MKJ

edited just because this transcript provides such fun opportunities for smile icons, HTML, etc.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

1. What he is doing in Illinois is incredible

He has numerous indictments, guilty pleas and convictions. I do not think he has lost a case here yet.

And this is against democratic office holders.
The bush people better hold on to their prostate girdles.

[Humor_In_Cuneiform]

2. Wasn't Russert among those subpoenaed

who testified or agreed to right away?

[JDPriestly]

3. I hope he is truly neutral politically.

We need prosecutors that are neutral in that way. Politicians need to be aware that, no matter what party they belong to, they must be honest and they cannot abuse their power.

[lancdem]

4. He is a registered independent

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

5. It's nice to hear that he has this type of reputation. All I ask for is

someone who's unbiased in their application of the law of the land. MKJ

[emulatorloo]

7. No, he's not - registered as NO AFFILIATION-- see link

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A55560-2005Feb1_3.html

<snip>

Fitzgerald is careful to be apolitical in his targets and his public life alike. He registered to vote as an Independent in New York, only to discover, when he began receiving fundraising calls, that Independent was a political party. He re-registered with no affiliation, as he did later in Chicago.

<snip>

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

8. Thanks for the link, this is an excellent article.

I personally wouldn't want to be on the wrong side of the law with this man at the legal helm. MKJ

[DoYouEverWonder]

9. Yes and I believe his testimony contradicted

testimony from Rove and the WH. It seems Rove tried to claim that he found out about Plame from Russert. Hence the I found out about her from a journalist alibi. Apparently Russert's testimony proves that Rove perjured himself.

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

6. kicking the repub love for Fitzgerald n/t

MKJ