*** Today's threads at Firedoglake.com- Libby Liveblogging

[ralps]

Libby Live: FBI Agent Bond
By: emptywheel
http://www.firedoglake.com/2007/02/01/libby-live-fbi-agent-bond/

A good representation of the Admin taking on that "snake" (per Mary Matalin) the week of July 6, 2003?

A reminder of the housekeeping rules. I'll timestamp the updates, so you know when to expect one–don't go crazy with updates in the interim. Please treat this as a rough approximation; I'm no court reporter, but am sure developing an appreciation for the difficulty of their job (Slow DOWN, Fitz). And buy Anatomy of Deceit.

We're in the court room, waiting for Judge Walton, who is at a swearing-in ceremony for a former clerk. I think the two sides have got some fights to haggle out this morning. There's also the outstanding question of how much of Scottie's Fall 2003 statements we get. More interesting, we're going to hear Libby's GJ testimony today, hours upon hours of it. Apparently we're going to squabble about whether or not those tapes will be released–a whole bounty of MP3s for people who circulate this kind of thing. Will we be seeing Scooter Libby remixes shortly? Jeffress' one SCOTUS case, Nixon v. TimeWarner, related to the release of tapes, so he is well-practiced in preventing this kind of thing from circulating. But AFAIK, Fitz is not preparing to indict a whole bunch of co-conspirators, which is why Jeffress was able to postpone the release of the Nixon tapes to the press.

snip

[ralps]

1. ***10:48, 11:00

10:48

Fitz Trying to introduce the transcript that was forwarded to Jennie Mayfield. It was an email to the person who takes his email.

Wells. Yes we object to that one also. As your honor indicated, the story WRT Libby's concerns is laid out fully. There's no evidence that Libby reviewed this transcript. What's going on is a feeding franzy.

Walton. I'm talking about an excerpt.

Wells. I don't have any problem with an excerpt.

Fitz is trying to get in transcript with highlights.

snip

11:00

Fitz is walking through the scenario of Libby asking Scottie to clear him publicly.

Wells. In terms of 403 analysis. The story is in the grand jury already. What you're talking about is situations where undue prejudice may be caused. It's like a feeding frenzy.

Walton. But I assume the govt's big concern in the context in this case, I assume that if the opening statement had not been made, that Libby was being thrown under a bus to protect Mr Rove.

Wells. It has nothing to do with the opening statement. Fitz always intended to enter this as a key piece of evidence.

Walton But I still have to factor that in. I have yet to see any evidence that that was in play. If we were talking about the leak being the basis for govt's prosecution, maybe that's sufficient to raise a question as it relates to leak situation. But Mr. Libby's on trial for allegedly subsequent to that having lied to FBI. How you make out a case that WH was putting his head on a platter in order to protect Mr. Rove, I don't understand how that connect is going to be made.

snip

[blogslut]

2. I thought this exchange

...between Fitz, Wells and Walton at the old sidebar was interesting:

"Wells. It's unnecessary for anything to be played as a videotape.

Fitz. One point, when you look at it. I'm not sure what Wells and I agree on, I think it's highly relevant that well before GJ, he got this statement. That goes right to the point that there's no evidence of trying to throw him under the bus. If the defendant had done it himself.

Walton. How would it be relavant.

Fitz. He put down a marker. If turns around withing 4 days and says I took info from Grossman, VP and Martin, and told it to Miller and Cooper. Your honor this was classified. He has to make sure that anything he tells reporters doesn't come from a classified source. Is he locked in, unable to admit that he got it from official channels. The best way to cut that off is to put it into the bucket of information coming from reporters.

Wells. Fitz just said, it was classified information. The jury has been instructed that question of classification is not an issue in this case. He cannot say that.

Walton. In light of what we've told the jury, how does that play out.

Fitz. I'm not going to tell the jury that the info was classified. The one way he can insulate himself would be to say, I got it from reporters, not from official channels. It's an investigation into whether classified identity was leaked. That's right in the charged language. He's got to worry that this info about someone who worked at the CIA cleanest way to take himself off the hook is to say he heard a rumor from reporters.

Wells. He said a minute ago it's classified.

Walton. he said, whether it was classified or not, the cleanest way to shift it, is to put it on reporters. Let me look at what we're talking about."

Now, does this establish once and for (for the public) all that Valerie Plame's CIA identity was indeed classified information?

[ralps]

3. Hi blogslut, thanks for posting that

[Pathwalker]

4. Thank you again, ralps.

I am shamelessly posting so I can keep track of this thread. Your threads are a great help!
This won't hurt either: :kick:

[ralps]

6. Hi Notorious Bohemian, You're welcome & thanks

[ralps]

5. ***11:15, 11:36

11:15

Now we're watching Scottie's press briefing . I miss Scottie. Well, maybe not so much. He's babbling about Bush's "economic plan" and "energy plan."

Journalist, talking about Pres "hitting the roof" about a leak of information. Scottie saying there was a process. Some people are saying Pres is showing a double standard here.

You have said you personally went to Rove, Abrams, and Scooter. Why did you do that.

Scottie They're good individuals, they're important members of our WH team. I have no doubt about that in the beginning, but I like to check my information before I report back to you.

What the Pres has directed

I want to talk about what you're not answering.

We want to get to the bottom of this.

Did the President ask you to ask those inividuals? Does Pres want you to ask senior staff members?

No one wants to get to the bottom of this information more than this Administration. If someone leaked classified information, they will not longer be part of this administration.

It is absurd to say this administration would someone for having a different view.

snip

11:36

Walton says he may have to revisit this if Wells keeps suggesting that they're throwing Libby under bus to save Rove.

Wellls. Talking about state of mind.

Walton. Well maybe if he gets on the stand and testifies to that?

Wells talks about Cheney's statement.

I think Fitz has a bit of a smirk, bc Walton keeps insisting on Libby testifying.

New Scottie video. October 10.

snip

[ralps]

7. ***New Firedoglake thread- Libby Live: FBI Agent Bond Two

Libby Live: FBI Agent Bond Two
By: emptywheel
http://www.firedoglake.com/2007/02/01/libby-live-fbi-agent-bond-2/

This snake, btw, is in honor of Mary Matalin. Well, maybe "honor" isn't the right word.

A reminder of the housekeeping rules. I'll timestamp the updates, so you know when to expect one–don't go crazy with updates in the interim. Please treat this as a rough approximation; I'm no court reporter, but am sure developing an appreciation for the difficulty of their job (Slow DOWN, Fitz). And buy Anatomy of Deceit.

Some discussion of who the mystery witness is–apparently someone from DOJ who will be very boring. Sorry. And we thought we'd have fun.
Walton: I have a problem doing the video analysis, with all the unknowns with what was transpiring at WH, that I have a sufficient basis to conclude that there was an agency basis between Libby and McC. But I don't think I need to do that analysis. What is his state of mind when he goes to the GJ. He believes he's got to walk lockstep with what the WH has said. I think that analysis doesn't required 8012b analysis. I think to decide whether that info comes before GJ. Whether the statement was made, it's clear that statement was made. And then whether Libby knew. The jury can reasonably infer that statement was made before he went before GJ. I think it's reasonable for the jury to infer that subsequently McC did make statement. I think that's relevant to state of mind. So I will require that tape be modified so the only thing presented … none of the questions, because I think that is potentially prejudicial, but as far as just the statement McC says saying he had spoken to Libby, doesn't come in for the truth, but it does come in for purpose of showing Libby state of mind. It's reasonable to infer that he's going to distance himself from that information. I will permit those limited portions of the tape.

snip

[ralps]

9. ***12:14, 12:24

12:14

Walton: Concern I have, maybe that was taking off the table. I'll permit reference to classified info. I won't permit the reference to Valerie Plame working at CIA.

Walton: are we ready?

Fitz: our tech people are good, but they're not that good.

Walton. I'm going to have jury start their lunch. Regarding nondisclosure agreements. I read pleadings last night.

Bonamici up to defend the entry of nondisclosure agreements. That's the backdrop for everything in this case. Govt's contention that he had a serious motive to lie.

snip

12:24

Jeffress; is trying to say there is stuff that would be misleading, including the rule that Libby has to check with classifying authority before declassifying, says it was shown that President can declassify. Arguing that it would make jury think Libby did something wrong.

Walton: couldn't that be done with a limiting instruction.

Jeffress. I don't think that is a sufficient thing to remove prejudice by suggesting through introduction of these agreements, that he failed to ask questions as to whether Ms. Wilson's identity or occupation was classified. They're going to make those arguments that he did something wrong.

Walton. I don't think they're going to argue that he did something wrong. THey're going to argue that he had reason to believe he may have done something wrong.

snip

[JNelson6563]

8. Kickety-kick to the Greatest page!

Thanks for posting these updates. :toast:

[ralps]

10. Hi JNelson6563, thanks & you're welcome

[spanone]

11. KICK & Recommend

[goclark]

12. Keep kicked

[ralps]

14. Hi goclark, Thanks

[goclark]

17. k

[ralps]

13. Hi spanone, Thanks

[ralps]

15. *** New thread at Firedoglake.com- Well, Isn’t THAT Interesting?

Well, Isn’t THAT Interesting?
By: Christy Hardin Smith
http://www.firedoglake.com/2007/02/01/well-isnt-that-interesting-2/

Who says arguments about the legal minutiae can't be interesting?

snip
then a long excerpt from one of the morning threads- "Libby Live: FBI Agent Bond" then Christy comments

And there we have the crux of this case in a nutshell: for Libby, it was about the most effective means of CYA after he overstepped his bounds trying to protect the ass of Dick Cheney when Cheney's credibility and veracity began to be questioned by the very media that he and his office had been using to launder their half-baked stories. For Fitzgerald and his team, it's all about exposing the lies and the cover-up, because no one — and I mean NO ONE — is allowed to lie to the FBI and to a federal grand jury and get a pass.

And Wells' tour de force of a lengthy, detailed, meandering opening statement? That sure is coming back to bite him in the behind, isn't it?

Fascinating stuff. And it makes for a whole lot of questions and speculation, doesn't it? Here's to many, many more questions to come on all of this. Every last piece of this mess, every rock turned over and the festering masses hiding underneath expose to the disinfectant of public scrutiny, every last nuance and backroom deal and wink and nod from the media and failure to exact oversight by members of Congress. Every ass-covering handshake deal.

snip
I'll be gone for a while. I'll update when I get back if no one else has updated this thread

[Kurovski]

16. Hehehe...

I'm sitting here laughing like the idiot I am as I watch that cat manically unfurl that endless roll of ass-wipe.

I'm the perfect American, so easily distracted.

Thank you for that, ralps!

K&r.

[ralps]

18. Hi Kurovski, Thanks

:hi: :loveya: :hug: :pals: :woohoo:

[ralps]

19. *** New thread at Firedoglake.com- Libby Live: FBI Agent Bond Three

Libby Live: FBI Agent Bond Three
By: emptywheel
http://www.firedoglake.com/2007/02/01/libby-live-fbi-agent-bond-three/

Hey Mary!! Here's your snake, baby.

A reminder of the housekeeping rules. I'll timestamp the updates, so you know when to expect one–don't go crazy with updates in the interim. Please treat this as a rough approximation; I'm no court reporter, but am sure developing an appreciation for the difficulty of their job (Slow DOWN, Fitz). And buy Anatomy of Deceit.

Maybe we'll actually get to Agent Bond and Libby's testimony huh? Then again, maybe I'll leave it for Monday, when Jane and Swopa will be here…
Walton in, Jeffress up addressing the nondisclosure agreements.

Paragraph in dispute: paragraph 3.

Jeffress: Two problems, this is the one that talks about what Bonamici was talking about this morning, it talks about the fact that he should have gone and asked somebody. Your honor has agreed to put it in for motive, but this will go to behavior he should have done. This is the paragraph that remains. This is the negligence standard. Your honor will recall, we've asked for discovery about what other people thought, the govt denied us discovery on that issue. If we're going to get into this standard. I think the govt trying to insert some additional violation, it would be highly prejudicial, he's not even charged with leaking classified information much less failing to check. We would object to putting any of the other agreements in. There's just no suggestion that her occupation was in some compartment. Bonamici pointed out that note (from Cheney) was stamped with a "treat as Top Secret/SCI." Miss Mayfield is the one who puts stamps on it, they just stamp everything. That's why it was done, it would be completely unfair in light of the testimony.

snip
:hi: :loveya: :hug: :pals: :woohoo:

[ralps]

21. ***2:51, 3:00

2:51

Agent Bond taking the stand. Hey!!! A jury AND a witness!!! David Corn warns you not to get used to it.

Zeidenberg; Govt calls agent Debbie Bond.

DB: Deborah S Bond.

Z How you're employed

DB Agent with FBI. Employed 19 years.

Z How much of your career has been on white collar or public corruption.

DB 16 years. Been involved since 10/2003.

DB I'm the current case agent. I took over a year ago, when Jack Eckenrode retired.

Z What this was about.

DB The possible unauthorized disclosure of Valerie Wilson's identity to the media.

snip

3:00

DB He prepared it for interview, Allegations Wilson was making

Z What did he tell you about bullet points

DB that they weren't true–he didn't believe they were true.

Z how many times referred to this doc.

DB 3 or 4 times.

Z did you talk about how he learned of Plame's id

DB he first learned about Plame from VP, during telephone call on or about June 12, 2003. Description of phone call. A handwritten note he claimed he had written during this conversation.

snip
:hi: :loveya: :hug: :pals: :woohoo:

[ralps]

20. *** New thread at Firedoglake.com- Libby Live: FBI Agent Bond Four

Libby Live: FBI Agent Bond Four
By: emptywheel
http://www.firedoglake.com/2007/02/01/libby-live-fbi-agent-bond-four/

DB Story didn't change in second interview. He had refreshed his memory with documents.

DB As he told us before, he said he had had a conversation about 6/12/2003.

Z Had you acquired Libby's notes by this time. Did you discuss note he referred to and showed you.

New exhibit. This also is marked "Treat as TS/SCI."

DB 6/12/03 with line over top. T=telephone, y=VP, regarding uranium and, Q means Iraq. Kristof, NYT.

DB next bullet point. Took place at our behest, functional office, CP, counterproliferation. Libby told us. Just below CP, His wife works in that dvision. Was referring to Joe Wilson's wife. Debriefing took place here and was meeting in region.

snip
:hi: :loveya: :hug: :pals: :woohoo:

[ralps]

22. ***3:32, 3:39,

3:32

Z Ask him about Grenier

DB Libby told us, he had been trying to get ahold of DDCI, McLaughlin, in June 9 timeframe, When unable, he contacted Grenier. Told us he played phone tage. It might have had to do with Kristof article.

Z Did Wilson's wife come up with Grenier

DB No

Z Lunch with Ari Fleischer?

DB wanted to go to lunch with Fleischer since Ari was leaving next week, had lunch on July 7 at WH mess.

snip

3:39

DB Fax cover sheet, from McLaughlin. (says unstasfactory)

DB dated 7/11, from DDCI, states, Steve, Here is our draft we plan to release at 1315 H. John McLaughlin

Z Draft of Tenet statement?

DB It is but it came out later in the day, it might have been a draft. A version.

DB Unsatisfactory, underline. We asked Libby he said it looked like it could be VP but it also could be Hadley.

Z Whose production?

DB Coming from Deborah Heiden. Exec Asst to VP.

DB VP reaction to Tenet statement. They were not happy with statement. It did not explain that VP did not send Joe Wilson.

snip
:hi: :loveya: :hug: :pals: :woohoo:

[ralps]

24. ***3:49, 4:09

3:49

BTW, In the first interview, Libby said Rove said that his impression was that Novak already knew of Plame's ID.

Btw, now that I get a moment. Bond looks like she's late 40s, she's got a short haircut, with a streak of blond or gray. Her delivery is VERY no-nonsense. Barely any inflection. Towards the end, she was getting flustered with the nesting of pronouns. She is wearing a pick shirt under a gray jacket (it's a pants suit).

Libby left the room at the break, with his wife. There he is again.

Man, I'll say what I said when I saw the indictment. If Libby lied (innocent until proven and all that), couldn't he have at least told a decent story?!?!?!

Libby got up, said something to Wells. Wells, of course, had to bend down to hear him. I'm not sure I've seen Libby this active at break.

Bond sitting back in chair with a rock hard look on her face.

Jury's back.

snip

4:09

W Tate had made statement that Libby had not been able to refresh as he normally would have, no access to emails, no conversations with his staff.

DB I don't recall him making that exact statement. I do remember that before they wanted the ability to look at documents and we agreed to that.

W Do you recall at outset of interview before Libby answered any questions that in substance Libby had not had ability to refresh his memory, no access to emails, limited access to documents.

DB I recall part of that, I do not recall all of that statement that he made.

W Communicated the substance.

DB The first part, I don't recall the last part. I remember not being able to look at documents. That's what I remember.

W They told you that at beginning of interview. Do you remember that Tate said Libby did his best to prepare for interview. Asked you to put in your report that it might be inaccurate.

snip
:hi: :loveya: :hug: :pals: :woohoo:

[ralps]

26. ***4:17, 4:23

4:17

W Had you seen that interview before Libby's interview.

DB No

W When did you see it.

DB Maybe when we first got documents. I strated October 14

W Your first day on the job was the day of the interview. Schwarz was the leadinvestigator. Dear ADD, thank you for your telephone call to Abu Gonzales regarding possible unauthorized disclosure of classified info in Newsday and Novak. He refers to two articles, one, Novak, and two, Newsday.

DB That's what it says.

snip

4:23

W Is it fair to say Newsday fell by the wayside early in inevstigtaion.

DB We were asking about it.

W To your knowledge, Libby had no involvement with the Newsday article. Next letter.

W Letter signed by Schwarz, to Deputy Counsel to Pres. Again focused on Novak and Newsday info. State the investigation concerned unauthorized disclosure of information. Both letters describe the scope of document request as broader than 1.

DB If it's the same attachement we saw in here yesterday.

W Can you point to any document that Libby received prior to first interview that said the investigation involved possible disclosure to unauthorized persons in connection with Wilson, and matters relating thereto.

DB I don't know what Libby received, these were address to General Counsel's office.

snip
:hi: :loveya: :hug: :pals: :woohoo:

[Manifestor_of_Light]

23. I'd go up there and sit in the audience and blog if they'd pay me.

I could get a bit better quotes, even if I had to do it in long hand. I was a court reporter for twenty years and it's quite stressful. I used a stenograph machine.
Thank you, Houston lawyers and judges, for my high blood pressure.

[ralps]

25. Hi Perragrande

:hi: :loveya: :hug: :pals: :woohoo:

[ralps]

27. *** New thread at Firedoglake.com- Libby Live: FBI Agent Bond, Five

Libby Live: FBI Agent Bond, Five
By: emptywheel
http://www.firedoglake.com/2007/02/01/libby-live-fbi-agent-bond-five/

Having fun yet? Not a transcript, buy my book (look over <<< for a link), and don't refresh wildly.

Now we're talking about Grossman's 302, but we're in sidebar. She has said she saw it, long after it was written. She's leaning WAY back in her chair.

Wells up again.

Wells: I want to go to different area. (The Libby CP note)

Wells; This is document Libby produced prior to his interview.

DB: No. I believe it was October 21.

W: It wsa discussed.

DB Libby brought it. Libby did not give it to us.

snip
:hi: :loveya: :hug: :pals: :woohoo:

[ralps]

29. ***4:40, 4:58

4:40

Copy of your notes that you took in that interview.

W Do you have a recollection that Mr. Libby told you early on during the interview that "early this month" when he was reviewing documents he found notes reflecting a telephone conversation reflecting a conversation.

DB The 10/03 is October 2003, not October 3.

W Libby also told you those notes refreshed his memory of his conversation with Cheney

DB That's what it says.

W He told you that he recalled being told of Plame

DB Yes, but that he had forgotten about it

snip

4:58

Fitz: An hour and a half on Monday with Bond. Then we'll publish GJ testimony. One more witness. And then we'll have Russert. And then we'll rest Tuesday.

Wells: we're trying to resolve evidentiary issue that we're trying to resolve ourselves. If we can't resolve, we would file by tomorrow. We'll set forth to preclude certain issues. THen Fitz can file by end of day.

Walton: Alright Superbowl doesn't start till 6:30 Sunday, so if I get stuff by Saturday, I'll still have all day Sunday to review.

Walton: I would like to have you submit, there's one case which is analgous. US v. Yusef. A discussion starts on page 63. It involves a letter found in defendants computer relating to other threats to commit terrorist acts and defendant charged with terrorist related type threat activity. Court concluded that even though that letter related to other threatening acts. it was not unduly prejudicial. In regards to what you're going to submit to me, we already have letter in evidence, do those letters encompass a lot if not all of what's at issue now. I assuem they cover some of the ground.

Jeffress: You mean newspaper articles.

Walton: I assume they cover some of the ground.

Fitz: They do and that limits prejudicial value. Point is to show that Libby was aware of it.

Walton: Submit your filings.

snip

Beer thirty!! Have fun with Swopa and Jane next week!

:hi: :loveya: :hug: :pals: :woohoo:

[H2O Man]

28. A great day

to tune in to FDL !!!

[ralps]

30. Hi H2O Man!!

:hi: :loveya: :hug: :pals: :woohoo:

[ralps]

31. *** New Thread at Firedoglake.com- Traitorgate Postings at FDL- From The

Start To The Present (2/9/05 to 7/17/05)
By: Christy Hardin Smith
http://www.firedoglake.com/2007/02/01/traitorgate-postings-at-fdl-from-the-start-to-the-present-2905-to-71705/

I started looking back at a few of my earlier postings on the Traitorgate investigation into the outing of Valerie Plame Wilson, and at some of Jane's early work as well, trying to find a particular post that I remembered from early on in the investigation. And it dawned on me that a full listing of links to every post, along with a brief description, might be useful for me — and for others who were likewise trying to find a particular post on a narrow subject within the whole.

This has taken me a long time to string together, let me tell you. I knew that we had been writing quite a bit about this subject…but I really had NO idea until I started putting this together. Hopefully someone else will also find this useful. If nothing else, there are some Plameaholics out there who won't be getting much sleep this weekend but, look at it this way: these posts will certainly tide you over until testimony resumes on Monday.

Let me just take a moment to thank the wonderful Emptywheel for all of her liveblogging prowess the last couple of weeks. Amazing work, and we are so grateful for every last minute of it. With Jane and Swopa headed to DC this weekend, the FDL All-Stars will keep giving you live coverage of every possible minute of the Libby trial. But, in the meantime, take a stroll down memory lane with some of the great snark-o-licious Jane gems below.

snip
Christy has posted just about all the links at FDL on the Libby/Wilson case in that time period, so if you all want to check out some past threads you now can all in one place!!
:hi: :loveya: :hug: :pals: :woohoo:

[Spazito]

32. Thanks for the heads-up on this new thread on FDL!

It was well worth bookmarking as is your thread with the links. Thanks, too, for your work on providing the individual links to the ongoing trial blogging, much appreciated!