There's Something "Funny" About the Libby-Cheney Story Out Right Now

[NashVegas]

Libby is (currently at least) not charged with revealing classified information re: Plame's identity. He is charged with lying to the Grand Jury about his and anyone else's role in such.

In the now-several stories that are being published about this latest reveal, all speak of Cheney et al's authorization for Libby to leak the NIA classified documents.

But Libby is not indicted for leaking information about those documents.

So, how does this information help Libby's defense?

David Corn on Monday speculated that Libby is "greymailing" the Feds.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/thenation/20060206/cm_thenation/357174;_ylt=A86.I17hEelDH60AFxD9wxIF;_ylu=X3oDMTBjMHVqMTQ4BHNlYwN5bnN1YmNhdA--

[Toots]

1. I think if a superior tells you you can release information then you can

Whether that Superior had that authority or not is another matter. It isn't quite the same as if a Superior tells you to kill or harm someone. Remember that superior gave you your clearance so they get to decide what is allowed to be released and what isn't. At least as far as you are concerned. As far as the law is concerned I don't think the Superior had the authority to release the information even to you let alone have you disseminate it.. Just my $.02 worth and I have no real knowledge on the matter.

[snippy]

2. "Graymail" is certainly part of the Libby defense strategy, but I think

that this leak may also be part of the strategy to influence the jury pool. It would be extremely odd if Libby's defense lawyers did not try to influence the jury pool or use "graymail" tactics in a case like this.

This may seem to be too early to attempt to influence the jury pool, but if by the time of jury selection it has become conventional wisdom that Libby was only following the orders of the Vice President of the United States it will give Libby's lawyers a greater opportunuity to confuse things. Look for republican pundits to repeat ad nauseum that Libby did nothing wrong but in any case he was only follwing orders. If that happens then I would say this definitely is part of the jury pool strategy.

[notadmblnd]

3. Gergen said it too.. but he also said it really doesn't help him

nt

[NashVegas]

4. Yeah, I Just Heard That

In the other room. Oddness.

[applegrove]

6. Does it mean they are throwing Cheney out as a red herring? To save

Rove? Cause Cheney has no plans to lead a 30 year empire after this - Rove does????

Who the hell knows.

Doubt very much Libby would give up his posse like that. Especially when it doesn't "help him".

We don't know the whole story.

[catnhatnh]

5. It Ain't greymail and it ain't even greenmail....

it is BLACKMAIL....