Security adviser named as source in CIA scandal

[Kevin Spidel]

Security adviser named as source in CIA scandal
Michael Smith and Sarah Baxter

THE mysterious source who gave America’s foremost journalist, Bob Woodward, a tip-off about the CIA agent at the centre of one of Washington’s biggest political storms was Stephen Hadley, the White House national security adviser, according to lawyers close to the investigation.

Woodward, the Washington Post reporter who broke the Watergate scandal that forced President Richard Nixon out of office, has refused publicly to divulge the name of his informant without permission, which has thus far been withheld.

The naming of CIA agent Valerie Plame as the wife of Joseph Wilson, the former US ambassador sent to Niger to investigate disputed claims that Saddam Hussein was trying to purchase uranium yellowcake for the manufacture of nuclear weapons, led to the indictment last month of Vice-President Dick Cheney’s top aide, Lewis “Scooter” Libby, for lying to a grand jury.

It is an offence in America to reveal the identity of a covert agent, although doubts remain about Plame’s precise status.

A spokeswoman for the National Security Council (NSC) denied that Hadley was the journalist’s source. However, in South Korea on Friday during an official visit with President George W Bush, Hadley dodged the question.



More here: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2089-1880016,00.html

[tx_dem41]

1. One step closer to the Oval Office. n/t

[goclark]

2. Wasn't he Condi's Assistant?

[Stand and Fight]

4. Yes, under GW Bush's first term he was....

He was the Deputy National Security Advisor.

[goclark]

11. Wasn't that in the same tim frame? nt

Just asking cause I don't think Condi told on Plame.

I think it was Bush that told Woody.

He is just so dumb that he doesn't know left from left.

If Rove told him, he would tell Woody in a heartbeat in order to appear "smart."

[H2O Man]

19. This confirms

that it was Hadley who told Woodward. It was not Bush, Rice, or Rove.

[annabanana]

3. Once again, our Sages WAY out in front of this story..

God, we got some schmarties in here...

[jsamuel]

5. Yet another story that RAW STORY broke

[annabanana]

6. LaLa Rah Rah!. . . . . n/t

[SmokingJacket]

7. Taking the dive for LIbby?

Someone on Amy Goodman suggested that Woodward coming out like this provides an alibi for Libby. Personally I don't think so; Libby still lied and obstructed.

[FreedomAngel82]

10. Yep

They might be trying to but I don't think it'll work.

[dalaigh lllama]

12. Yeah. Their logic is underwhelming

from the article:

With more journalists in the loop than previously identified, it will be harder for Fitzgerald to prove Libby was deliberately lying when he said he first learnt of Plame from a journalist rather than the CIA.

Since Libby said he first heard about Plame from Timmy Russert (which was just one of his lies under oath), and not some vague "journalists in the loop," I don't see how Woodward's jump into the fray changes anything for Libby.

[H2O Man]

20. It is not helping Libby

or anyone else in the administration. This in no way whatsoever changes the case against Libby. The only potential benefit he could reap would be that, because of the increased vulnerability of the VP's office, that Bush will be tempted to pardon him. But in terms of his trial, it makes zero difference.

[alfredo]

8. So the Security Advisor intentionally jeoparizes our security

We are in greater danger because his need for revenge was stronger than his love of country.

[annabanana]

9. k & r....n/t

[paulthompson]

13. If this is true...

Then certainly Hadley has testified under oath before the Grand Jury. And chances are strong he lied about Woodward, since Fitzgerald didn't know about the Woodward info until recently.

It was reported that Hadley was already speculating he'd be indicted. I think there's a good chance Fitzgerald is bringing back a Grand Jury to indict Hadley.

[Halliburton]

14. you forgot about the rover

he could be bringing back a grand jury to take out a man named turdblossom as well

[paulthompson]

16. Right

I was just looking at the Hadley situation, no idea what might be happening with Rove and others. I'm just saying that at a BARE MINIMUM, Hadley looks like he could be charged with perjury.

[peacetalksforall]

15. WHIG levels of authority -

1st level:

George.
Dick.
Condi.

2nd level:

Matalin
Libby
Hadley
Rove
Hughes
Wilkinson
Calio
Hadley

Does anyone here think that a political decision on the level of breaking a law originated at the second level and not the first?

Does anyone think that Cheney didn't have the motives. It appears the Brewster-Jennings operation was 'tracking traffic' that he was involved in. That is traffic as in wmd and nuclear parts and knowledge. Cheney is first and foremost a political and corporate mobster who may also be a traitor - if bringing down a CIA operation is being traitorous because of his need to perpetuate war for his own profit and the profit of some friends and benefactors is traitorous.

[cassiepriam]

17. Everybody at the WH was talking to as many reporters as possible?

That is what it looks like. The question should be who was not talking? That would be easier to figure out.

[Walt Starr]

18. And RAW Story will never get the credit

Raw scooped EVERYBODY'S ASS on this one and I will make certain and write every newscaster who reads this story to America.

Credit should be given where credit is due.

[susu369]

21. You are absolutely right

and there are several DUer's who owe apologies for their attempts to discredit Raw Story. IMHO.