LA Times: Libby Trial Exposes Russert Is "Just A Tool For The Powerful"

[kpete]

LA Times: Libby Trial Exposes Russert Is "Just A Tool For The Powerful"
LA Times | SCOTT COLLINS | February 12, 2007 09:56 AM

Those of us who get a kick out of watching Tim Russert every Sunday on NBC's "Meet the Press" are feeling a little hangdog these days. We always thought Big Russ Jr. was tough on the powerful. Now we learn that to some Washington media types on both the right and the left, he's just a tool for the powerful.

What's occasioned this perceptual turnabout is, of course, the perjury and obstruction trial of I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, a former top aide to Vice President Dick Cheney, where Russert wrapped up two days of testimony last week. Libby says the NBC newsman fed him the name of CIA operative Valerie Plame Wilson, who is at the center of the trial. Russert says he didn't.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2007/02/12/la-times-libby-tr_n_41008.html


Libby: NBC News Will Clear Me

AP | MATT APUZZO | February 12, 2007 09:55 AM

Attorneys for I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby believe that NBC News holds a key to clearing him of perjury and obstruction charges in the CIA leak case.

Libby, the former chief of staff to Vice President Dick Cheney, wants a federal judge to let his lawyers question Andrea Mitchell, NBC's foreign affairs correspondent, about when she learned that the wife of an outspoken Bush administration critic worked for the CIA.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2007/02/12/libby-nbc-news-will-clea_n_41010.html

[gratuitous]

1. When your default setting is "off the record"

It's an open question as to what sort of a "journalist" you're going to be. But the odds are heavily in favor of being a tool and a toady. And the powerful movers and shakers in DC know that when they pick up the phone and dial Little Big Russ' number, they're going to get a sympathetic ear, a friendly reception, and even if they're spitting mad about something, that not one of their intemperate remarks will ever be aired. Just imagine if they misdialed and got Sy Hersh?

[PCIntern]

3. "Big" = Slovenly narcissistic compulsive eater

Didn't he look special when he exited his automobile? A real Prince. Loves the fact that people more fit, more powerful, more intellectually aware, more street-wise, and more attractive, need him to assist in the promulgation of their news/lies.

It is notable that he has real trouble reading the lengthy quotes he is forced to on the show. Anyone else notice that?

[AndyA]

2. A lot of us have known that Russert's "credibility" has been non-existent for a long time.

It's pretty obvious when he pitches a softball to his guest, only to have that guest state something that is widely disputed by experts. Instead of calling them on it, Tim gives them a pass and continues on.

That isn't a journalist. That isn't reporting the news. That's propaganda. Russert should be removed from Meet the Press because he is a joke. A puppet for whoever has the most push at that particular moment in time.

And now the Libby trial has exposed Tim for what he truly is, the man has been stripped down to his underwear for all the world to see, skid marks and all...

[GreenPartyVoter]

12. Seriously!

[central scrutinizer]

4. Timmy yearns for the good old days

<>

[Ganja Ninja]

5. And that makes Russert different from the rest of the MSM how?

:shrug: :sarcasm:

[The Count]

14. HE TENDS TO BE PUT ON A PEDESTAL MORE - by dems as well

And scores interviews with people who matter. Other than that, none.

[PLF]

6. the reporter is pretending to be naive here

Anybody who has watched Russert over the years already knew he is a stooge for the elite.

[Kurovski]

15. I agree. I think the literary device is to gently break the news

to those who were as yet "unaware".

[peekaloo]

7. HAHA sez Nelson Muntz. He's a power tool.

:dunce:

[bbgrunt]

8. I know big Russ is a rw mouthpiece, but could someone please

help me understand how his testimony at the trial outed him in any way? I have seen threads and headlines that seem to imply that he discredited himself, but there is never an explanation of exactly what he said or did to earn this additional disdain.

[Supersedeas]

13. consider Cathie Martin's testimony -- Russ was the talking points main squeeze

[caligirl]

9. not precisely, they want to cast doubt on Russert's assertion he had not told Libby

about Plame, and they want to do it by inference with Andre Mitchell's contradicting statements, not with fact or truth. Walton isn't having any of it.

So far Team Libby is trying to defend him with half truths untruths and innuendo. Smoke and mirrors. they are even trying to claim rulings by Walton on testimony to be given or evidence to be used are open ended, applying to witness testimony and evidence they were never predicated on.



who gave me the Valentine heart? Ahhh, sweet. thank you.

[Annces]

10. a great cartoon of Russert

[Beausoir]

11. Hilarious! Must see cartoon. n/t