Russert Resisted Testifying on Leak (WaPo)

[kpete]

Russert Resisted Testifying on Leak

By Carol D. Leonnig
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, January 10, 2006; Page A05

Lawyers for NBC News reporter Tim Russert suspected in the spring of 2004 that his testimony could snare Vice President Cheney's top aide, I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, in a lie and Russert resisted testifying at the time about private conversations with Libby, according to court papers released yesterday.

Russert was aware that a special prosecutor probing the leak of a CIA operative's name knew of his summer 2003 telephone conversation with Libby, and that Libby had released him from any promise of confidentiality. But Russert, the Washington bureau chief for NBC News and host of "Meet the Press," and his attorneys argued in previously sealed court filings in June 2004 that he should not have to tell a grand jury about that conversation, because it would harm Russert's relationship with other sources.


Russert ultimately testified under oath about the conversation after a federal judge ordered him to do so in July 2004. The information Russert provided became important evidence that Special Counsel Patrick J. Fitzgerald used to indict Libby in October on five felony counts of lying to the FBI and a grand jury, and of
obstruction of justice.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/01/09/AR2006010901745.html

[Dinger]

1. Bet Timmy's Shitting Hot Tacks Right Now (nt)

[The Backlash Cometh]

4. He and Matthews should find another line of work.

[MADem]

Excuse me, jumpy mouse, doublepost

[MADem]

9. Notice how Meet Timmy Russert has lately become MEET THE PRESS

once again? He actually has REPORTERS on the show now--gosh, what a concept!!!!! For the longest time, it was Timmy and Dick, Timmy and Condi, Timmy scrunched into a tiny Captain's chair in the oval office wid da monkey, Timmy and Rummy...FOR THE FULL HOUR, he would say, portentously.

Now, those crooks don't seem to be returning his calls. Poor Timmy....lie down with dogs, ya bum, get up with fleas...

[Jacobin]

2. What a lame excuse

"private conversations"? Fuck, the mob could say they shouldn't have to testify about 'private conversations'

[deminks]

3. When will these people understand

The law does not protect anyone when the conversation itself is the commission of a CRIME. This just convinces me that Timmy is a sack of pooh. I don't trust him, I don't believe a word he says, and he has lost all credibility. His access was more important to him than his country.

[ProfessorGAC]

13. Absolutely Correct

His career matters more than anything else. That's always been my suspicion about these "protect their sources" reporters in this matter. They were not concerned that laws were probably being broken. They were just concerned about their own paycheck.
The Professor

[Horse with no Name]

5. These people have no integrity or decency

The profession of journalism should throw them out of the folds for their treasonous activity.
They certainly shouldn't have their own television shows.

[DoYouEverWonder]

6. Since Timmy isn't really a journalist

has he ever published an article in his life? Why would a moderator of a TV talking heads show have to protect 'sources'.

Try again Timmy.

[BuyingThyme]

7. Russert is just another payroll Nazi.

[wavesofeuphoria]

8. There is a difference

between a source giving you information and a source using you to prop up a lie about themselves. I suppose it will harm his relationship with other sources that want to use him in this way.

[Syncronaut Seven]

10. That's conspiracy to obstruct justice motherfuckers.

In my country, that was once a serious crime. :mad:

[KharmaTrain]

11. It Stopped Being A Source When It Became A Target

There's a big divide here that the corporate media won't go near and few even here on DU seem to grab. All these sanctimonius stenographers and cheerleaders masquerading as "journalists" is where a "source" is no longer a source but crosses into the public realm...especially when there's criminality involved.

Had Russert known about Libby and this not been a criminal matter, then he has all the rights to play the "confidential sources" game since Libby wasn't committing a crime. This is the divide where a whistleblower has to have the ability to come forward when they see wiretapping or other government crimes...then their annonymity is important. Otherwise it's all vanity. The moment Russert knew Libby was the target of a criminal investigation and he had germaine information, he should have run his chubby ass to Fitzgerald and gave info (just like it appears Novakula did)...or play public martyr like Judy Miller and Matt Cooper. Instead he tried to cover-up and hide not only from the public, but from a criminal investigation and a federal prosecutor. Timmy's got some 'splain' to do.

Timmy's big game has been to be the "top dog" on Sunday morning. He wanted the biggest treehouse with the most friends and to be the toast of the drinkie-drinkie circuit. He was gonna make all these people Buffalo Bills fans (sheesh) and play the "oh gosh" naive boy-next-door when he got caught. Sorry, not gonna wash here.

I notice Tweety got pulled off Hardball again (he was yanked during the early days of the Plame/Rove story) and now that his connections with Abramoff have come out, he's been put on ice. Looks like Mrs. Greenspan finally blew her cover by asking Risen about Christiane Armanpour. Now Timmy's about to put himself in a massive credibility straight-jacket. Sheesh...GE/NBC is starting to make Faux actually look "fair and balanced".

[LincolnMcGrath]

12. Press the Meat script reader Timmy

As if we needed more proof that he is a whore.