Valerie (Plame) Wilson Liveblogging NOW at FDL!

[yodermon]

http://www.firedoglake.com/2007/10/22/fdl-book-salon-welcomes-valerie-plame-wilson-2/#more-12419

[sazemisery]

1. Sydney Blumenthal ther also n/t

[sabra]

2. says she can't comment on Iran work...

Valerie Plame Wilson says:
October 22nd, 2007 at 10:34 am

Unfortuantely, I am not able to comment on my work with Iran… but I think it is pretty clear that the exposure of my covert identity was political payback for Joe’s criticism of the administation.

[bdamomma]

3. kick

and leave her your comment.

[yodermon]

4. kick

[robinlynne]

5. I don't understand. there are hudnreds of questions to Valerie, but no asnwers.

[bdamomma]

6. there are some replies made from Valerie.

[yodermon]

7. kick - here was my question:

Valerie, a quick question.

Did you ever come into direct contact with Dick Cheney or Scooter Libby when they made multiple direct visits to analysts at the CIA?

If so, did they come to know you and your identity during that time period?

Thanks again for your service.

[yodermon]

18. ...and her reply! (#204)

http://www.firedoglake.com/2007/10/22/fdl-book-salon-welcomes-valerie-plame-wilson-2/#comment-1049805

In response to an earlier question, I had no idea that Vice President Cheney and his then Chief of Staff Libby were making an unprecedented number of visits to Hqs to speak to analysts. This was around the time (February 2002) that Joe went to Niger at the request of the CIA. And I did sit in one meeting - timeframe unclear to me - with Mr. Libby. I was just a “backbencher” though, with no speaking role. How ironic, huh?

[TahitiNut]

8. Here ...

Valerie Plame Wilson says:
October 22nd, 2007 at 10:32 am .......... 19

Hi it’s Valerie Plame Wilson and I’m thrilled to be on FDL. Hi Sidney!

Valerie Plame Wilson says:
October 22nd, 2007 at 10:34 am .......... 28

Unfortuantely, I am not able to comment on my work with Iran… but I think it is pretty clear that the exposure of my covert identity was political payback for Joe’s criticism of the administation.

Joe Wilson says:
October 22nd, 2007 at 10:36 am .......... 39

I cannot stay this morning. Nor should I. This is Valerie’s coming out party with all of you whose support has been so important in this fight. But I did want to make three points.
1. Isn’t Valerie great. She handled 60 Minutes last night with great aplomb. She is the best thing that ever happened to me and I am just so proud of her.
2. This story is not, and has never been, about Valerie or me. It has always been about the administration and the Republican party’s willingness to lie, cover up, and condone the betrayal of our National Security. The administration and its lackeys have subverted our very democracy by their actions. This fight is about restoring constitutional rule to our great country. Our case is the mechanism through which we take the fight to the opposition. While we would much prefer to live our lives privately like other Americans, away from the harsh glare of the right wing smear machine, we realize that is not an option. When our kids ask us, twenty years from now, “Where were you when it counted,” our answer will be “On the front lines.”
3. Two people in Washington helped us understand the broader implications of the fight we have found ourselves in: Sid Blumenthal, and Hillary Clinton. They had both been through the character assassination gauntlet, and were able to get us to see that the fight wasn’t personal, however painful it might be, but was all about how we conduct public debate and discourse in our democracy. I cannot tell you how many times they told us to pull up our socks and quit feeling sorry for ourselves because the future of the country is what really matters. I am eternally grateful to both for their wisdom and their profound understanding of the pernicious threat posed by the forces of the far right. If you haven’t read Sid’s books: The Clinton Wars and the Rise of the Counter Establishment you really should. It is an honor for me that my dear friend is part of Valerie’s day here with you. This has been a long battle, far longer for the Blumenthals and for the Clintons than for us, but bruising to all who have been subjected to the viciousness and the lies of the right.
Very few have emerged from the fire tempered rather than broken by the experience. Thanks to Sid and Hillary, I think we have, and I think that is reflected in what you have already seen of Valerie’s interviews. Have fun, and for those who may want to try to woo my wife away from me, I will be checking back later and will take names! Sweetheart, I love you.

Valerie Plame Wilson says:
October 22nd, 2007 at 10:36 am .......... 40

They were never able to prove or disprove who
exactly was on Ames’ list. All we do know is that the CIA referred this case to the Justice Department in September 2003 for investigation of a possible criminal act

[DURHAM D]

9. John Dean (Yes, that John Dean) has sent a note suggesting Val for

Director of CIA when a new President takes office.

[yodermon]

11. heh heh see post #10... great minds..

:toast:

[DURHAM D]

12. Very interesting comment from Joe regarding Hil and Sid. n/t

[yodermon]

10. LOL John Dean showed up and recommend Val for Intelligence Dircector

for whatever Dem administration comes into power in 09!

http://www.firedoglake.com/2007/10/22/fdl-book-salon-welcomes-valerie-plame-wilson-2/#comment-1049748

Valerie,

Congratualtions on your new book.

May I be the first to suggest that a Democratic president come Jan. 20, 2009 is going to be looking for a new Director of Intelligence and they way you have handled yourself during the entire imbroglio with the Bush/Cheney White House should place you at the top of the list of candidates. No woman has ever held that new post, not to mention that of the CIA’s DCI, but times are changing and the country needs a fresh prespective on intelligence — not to mention a person in whom they have confidence. The “old boys” have had their chance. The Bushies cut short your career and the country’s investment in you. A savvy new president should not let your talent or career go to waste — clearly you have more expereince that many who have held the top intelligence post.

Best wishes for much success with the book, which I look forward to reading. Do enjoy your visit at FDL. I love my visits with this community and, indeed, as a present to myself spent my last birthday with them, only a matter of days ago.

John Dean

PS: Finally, I cannot depart without saying hello to you, Sidney — you are a perfect moderator for this special salon. But Jane has a nack for engaging FDL readers.

why can't i get 5 recs, people? ;)

[havocmom]

14. Cool! Thanks for link

:D

[Gregorian]

16. Wow. Very exciting!

Thanks for the posts.

[porphyrian]

13. She can be my Intelligence Director any time. - n/t

[TahitiNut]

15. An interesting post by Valerie ...

Valerie Plame Wilson says
October 22nd, 2007 at 11:21 am ............. 202

In response to an earlier question, I had no idea that Vice President Cheney and his then Chief of Staff Libby were making an unprecedented number of visits to Hqs to speak to analysts. This was around the time (February 2002) that Joe went to Niger at the request of the CIA. And I did sit in one meeting - timeframe unclear to me - with Mr. Libby. I was just a “backbencher” though, with no speaking role. How ironic, huh?

Yep. Ironic. You can bet your sweet ass that Libby/Cheney knew who she was.

[DURHAM D]

17. Hey Everyone - be sure to check out Valerie's response #220.

She talks about the CIA not giving her and her family protection because of a credible threat on their life - all the men got protection. She did not - so much for family values.

On Edit - her post is #221.

[TahitiNut]

19. Another interesting post by Valerie ...

Valerie Plame Wilson says
October 22nd, 2007 at 11:38 am ............. 271

I have no more information on the original source of the forged documents than what Knut Royce wrote about in his thorough book, The Italian Papers (at least I think that’s the title). No one has been able to get to the bottom of the mystery. Lots of good possibilities: Mossad, former CIA operatives, but no one really knows for sure.

Indeed.

[mmonk]

20. Here's my dovetail post to that.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=2108391&mesg_id=2108391

[leveymg]

25. Add supporting cast: Ahmad Chalabi and some cooperative Italian spooks, and that nails it.

Interesting rank order to her response.

[Gregorian]

21. I was surprised by her Steve Earl reference wrt Condi Rice.

I used to laugh when I heard the tune. But Valerie and her husband evidently don't.

"My only comment suitable for public consumption on Condi Rice is: have you heard Steve Earl’s song “Oh, Condi, Condi”? Joe has played it so much that our young song knows the words and catchy tune…"

[TahitiNut]

22. I like this observation by Valerie ...

Valerie Plame Wilson says
October 22nd, 2007 at 11:58 am ....................... 332

I think it is true that the successess of the CIA are forever secret, whereas all the failures are for the world to see. The CIA actually got it right in much of the pre-war intelligence on Iraq. It’s what the policy-makers did with it (cherry-picked) that led us to the disaster we face today in Iraq.
I knew nothing about Feith’s office in the Pentagon, only that it existed and there was great resentment. I thought Seymour Hersh’s New Yorker article on the “stove piping” of intelligence was excellent in this regard.

Suspicions confirmed.

[Gregorian]

23. She's on Larry King tonight.

After the wildfires lead.

[DURHAM D]

24. Right now - no one should be spending time on DU.

They should all be over at FDL for the Valerie Wilson live blog. DU will always be here. But wait - I'm here. Gotta go.