Powell: If everyone involved in Plame case did what Armitage did, there would have been no probe

[sabra]

http://www.aspentimes.com/article/20070708/NEWS/70708004

<snip>

“The FBI knew on Day 1 of Mr. Armitage’s involvement, yet for two months after that the FBI kept investigating,” Powell said. “They kept investigating to see who else might be involved and when they finished their investigation — they couldn’t finish it. Therefore, a special counsel was brought in, Mr. Patrick Fitzgerald, who spent another two years.

“The day he started he knew what Mr. Armitage’s involvement was and he still went for another two years … the reason he did that was that others were involved … and if everybody who had any contact with a reporter during that period had done what Armitage had done, I think this was have ended early on and not dragged out the way it has been.” Rove, originally believed by many to be the key leaker, responded that White House officials did cooperate from the beginning. When interviewer Walter Isaacson, CEO and president of The Aspen Institute, asked whether Vice President Dick Cheney did, Rove did not directly answer the host’s question.

[theoldman]

1. Armitage was what we call small potatoes.

He was not guilty of anything except following orders from the big potatoes. I am sure this is not over.

[Saturday]

2. You're a traitor to your country Colin,

Stop talking.

[PetrusMonsFormicarum]

3. Fitzgerald didn't want the leaker(s)

but he sensed a conspiracy and a coverup, and that's what he spent all of his time investigating.

[Bandit]

6. Ya think??

Wonder why he would ever supect a conspiracy? Rove saying "Plame is fair game" or Novak saying he heard from more than one source, or other "journalist" saying they also heard from Administration officials and all of that was out in the open before any investigation had even begun..If you or I were to LIE to the Grand Jury during an official federal investigation we would be in jail. Libby is scott free and Brewster Jenmnings Inc is no more and a twenty five year career CIA Agent is no longer on the job. Is America better off because of this Administration?

[newyawker99]

9. Hi PetrusMonsFormicarum!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[mod mom]

4. Perhaps Mr Pwell should re-listen to Fitz's words and compare them to his & other

Republican talking points:

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/015066.php

[BuyingThyme]

5. Yeah, if everybody had followed the "common knowledge" script.

Unfortunately it was fiction.

Fuck you, Powell. Go back into retirement until we get around to putting you in prison.

[Garbo 2004]

7. Uh, Colin, Fitz was brought in cause Ashcroft's office was compromised & they knew Rove/Libby lied.

Ashcroft's office was like a pipeline from the investigation to the WH, the folks being investigated (Mark Corallo, Barbara Comstock were among his staff) & Ashcroft had to recuse himself considering his close long relationship with Karl.

One year of that investigation was spent due Matt Cooper and Judy Miller fighting through the courts an order to testify. Their testimony was needed re: Rove and Libby respectively. Rove, who had denied being a source for Cooper....until of course Cooper was ordered to testify or go to jail pronto.

And if there was no "undelying crime" why did Libby lie and continue to lie, even when his lies were exposed? Why didn't the Pres let the legal process continue as he said he would? Because when faced with actual incarceration Libby's memory may have improved regarding his previous admission that he and Cheney "may have" discussed leaking Plame's identity as part of the push back against Wilson?

[emulatorloo]

8. True -- If everyone had told the truth, then the probe would not have lasted very long

Unfortunately Scooter lied.