Today's HJC Hearing

[H2O Man]

Scott McClellan will be meeting with the House Judiciary Committee today, to answer questions about the parts of his book that have to do with the Plame scandal. In his book, he wrote about his anger over having gone to bat for Karl Rove and Scooter Libby, and raised some questions about the roles played by George W. Bush and Karl Rove.

There are two reasons that this could be important. First, the White House did review McClellan's book before publication, and despite reports to the contrary, they were able to get Scott to take several sections out. It is possible -- perhaps likely -- that the issues involving the Plame scandal were considered "sensitive." Thus, the HJC may hear what the White House didn't want anyone to hear.

The Libby trial provided evidence that VP Cheney was furious when McClellan had told the press that Rove had nothing to do with the Plame scandal, but had not mentioned Libby. Cheney wrote the note that appeared to indicate the president had more knowledge of the effort to smear Joe Wilson than the White House has ever admitted to; this note suggested that McClellan needed to vouch for Libby, too. The HJC will focus on what, if anything, Cheney said to McClellan in this time.

As Rep. Henry Waxman's 6-3-08 letter to Attorney General Mukasey noted, "It would be a major breach of trust if the Vice President personally directed Mr. McClellan to mislead the public." While such action may not constitute a crime, it is certainly an abuse of the power of the Office of Vice President.

Rep. Waxman has been requesting that the Attorney General provide his committee with material that Patrick Fitzgerald has approved be given, including the interviews with Bush and Cheney (and unredacted testimony of other officials). Today's hearing may provide reason for more members of Congress to push the case forward.

[madokie]

1. lets hope it opens some more eyes

Because the bush/cheney cabal aren't loudly protesting scottys appearance has me worried and thinking that maybe there won't be any revelations to come. Hopefully I'm wrong and wasting my time in worrying about it but being the worry wart I am I must continue :-)

[hootinholler]

2. Will Scotty have a come to Jesus moment?

:shrug:

-Hoot

[Tennessee Gal]

3. What time is this hearing?