Howard Dean on the Scooter Libby Verdict

[demobabe]

A BUZZFLASH NEWS ALERT

DNC Press

Washington, DC – With the multiple guilty verdicts in the case of Scooter Libby and the outing of a covert CIA agent, Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean issued the following statement:

"Today the American legal system did something the Bush Administration hasn't, by holding Scooter Libby accountable for his illegal actions. Many unanswered questions remain about the other key Bush advisors who participated in the Administration's efforts to mislead the American people and smear its critics who have yet to be held accountable. Ultimately, the buck stops with President Bush. While he failed to keep his promise to fire the leaker, he should pledge not to pardon Scooter Libby.

"It's appalling to think that while President Bush had a high level team in place to sell the Iraq War and viciously smear its critics, it has not given that same attention to plan for postwar Iraq, providing the proper equipment for our troops or ensuring that our troops and veterans receive the care they deserve."

September 30, 2003: Bush Said That If There Was A Leak In His Administration They Would Be "Taken Care Of." President Bush reiterated stern treatment for the culprit, saying, "if there was a leak out of my administration, I want to know who it is. And if the person has violated law, the person will be taken care of...And so I welcome the investigation...I have told our administration people in my administration to be fully cooperative. I want to know the truth."

September 29, 2003: McClellan Said Leaker Would Be Fired. Scott McClellan said: "If anyone in this administration was involved in it, they would no longer be in this administration."

White House Put Politics And PR Above All Else

White House Iraq Group Formed To Formulate Strategy To Sell Iraq War to American People - Included Libby And Rove. "Systematic coordination began in August, when Chief of Staff Andrew H. Card Jr. formed the White House Iraq Group, or WHIG, to set strategy for each stage of the confrontation with Baghdad. A senior official who participated in its work called it "an internal working group, like many formed for priority issues, to make sure each part of the White House was fulfilling its responsibilities." The group met weekly in the Situation Room. Among the regular participants were Karl Rove, the president's senior political adviser; communications strategists Karen Hughes, Mary Matalin and James R. Wilkinson; legislative liaison Nicholas E. Calio; and policy advisers led by Rice and her deputy, Stephen J. Hadley, along with I. Lewis Libby, Cheney's chief of staff."

More at link: http://www.buzzflash.com/articles/alerts/190

[demobabe]

1. kick

:)

[Morgana LaFey]

2. Good work, Howard, as always. nt

[Breeze54]

3. I bet he will pardon him!

But many are calling for bush to forget about it but when has he ever listened to anybody? :shrug:

Will Bush pardon Scooter Libby?

Tue Mar 6, 2007 9:13PM EST

http://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUSN0641532320070307?pageNumber=3

snipettes--->

Article 2 of the Constitution says the president "shall have Power to Grant Reprieves
and Pardons for Offenses against the United States, except in Cases of Impeachment."

Bush, who will leave office in January 2009, has granted 113 pardons so far in his
two terms, mostly involving minor lawbreakers, including a convicted moonshiner.

"President Bush should now pledge that he will not pardon Scooter Libby," scolded
Massachusetts Democratic Sen. Edward Kennedy shortly after Libby was convicted on
Tuesday of obstructing justice and lying to investigators.


""I would hope that the president, because this is something where he has a distinct
conflict of interest ... that he would recuse himself and stay out of this matter,"
Wilson said in an interview on National Public Radio.

If Bush is to risk angering the public by pardoning Libby, it will be important
for his supporters to make the case for why it is needed, said Hess."

"You have to build a case for Libby before you put the president on the line," he said.

Thanks Gov. Dean!!!
:thumbsup: :thumbsup:


K & R'd :kick:

[demobabe]

4. First, Libby's lawyers are trying to get a new trial

...and if that doesn't work, then they'll appeal.

If that doesn't work, then their hopes lie on a Bush pardon.