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Raw Story: Wurmser Cooperating

Raw Story scoops another exclusive -- David Wurmser is now cooperating with Fitzgerald.

...those close to the investigation say that a second Cheney aide,
David Wurmser, has agreed to provide the prosecution with evidence that the leak was a coordinated effort by Cheney's office to discredit the agent's husband. Her husband, former ambassador Joseph Wilson, was one of the most vocal critics of the Iraq war.

Raw Story also reports that sources advise that John Hannah is not getting immunity but taking a deal in exchange for cooperation. If this report of what Hannah and Wurmser have said is true, and I stress the "if," it is all Fitz would need.

The sources say that Hannah and Wurmser were given orders by senior officials in Cheney’s office in June 2003 to leak Plame’s covert status and identity in an attempt to muzzle Wilson. The former ambassador had been a thorn in administration’s side since May 2003, when he began questioning claims that Iraq was an imminent threat to the U.S. and its neighbors in the Middle East. (emphasis supplied.)

They fall like flies, the closer it gets to Indictment time. One more word of caution. Treat this kind of testimony with extreme skepticism as to its veracity. It is testimony that has been purchased with promises of leniency. Freedom is a commodity far more precious than money. The incentives to lie and exaggerate are enormous.

The prosecutor seeks the truth. But, whose truth? If the cooperator didn't provide "the truth" that supported the prosecution's theory in investigating or prosecuting others, there would be no deals or leniency given.

This may turn out to be no different than your average drug conspiracy case. The question is, when the little guys roll on the big guys, or even just roll sideways or down, can you trust what they are telling the prosecutors, or are they just singing for their supper?

If Fitzgerald comes forth with Indictments, I hope they are based on hard evidence like documents, phone records, e-mails and differing accounts provided by subjects at different times. If it's based on testimony obtained through deals made at crunch-time, I'm going to be far more skeptical of his case.

Update: Jane at FireDogLake weighs in; Background: Blogenlust on Wurmser; Also, follow the links in this TalkLeft post. Arianna has good stuff here. Also, read what Joe Wilson wrote in his book.

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    Re: Raw Story: Wurmser Cooperating (none / 0) (#1)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:05:08 PM EST
    Maybe if fisherman Fitz can get Old Cheney's gritted mouth on a fishhhook, he can also supoena those energy meeting notes and show that the corporations were in fact planning the attack on Iraq BEFORE Nine-eleven. That old catfish has a lot ot answer for, but he'll escape the hangman, with that leaky plumbob of a thingamajig in his chest. Whatever else it's called, a heart it ain't. We have the former Gulf CEO's statement to those facts, already (when he said he quit over a request to develop a plan to privatize Iraq's oil). When FINALLY an investigation into this criminal conspiracy is uncorked, the smell of this long-corrupted wine will drive Americans back with horror on their faces and hands over their noses.

    Re: Raw Story: Wurmser Cooperating (none / 0) (#2)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:05:08 PM EST
    Bwahh-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha! This is going to get ugly for The Scowl.

    Re: Raw Story: Wurmser Cooperating (none / 0) (#3)
    by desertswine on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:05:08 PM EST
    The Bush White House stinks worse than a three day old corpse in the Juarez sun.

    Re: Raw Story: Wurmser Cooperating (none / 0) (#4)
    by Dadler on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:05:09 PM EST
    Jeralyn, You're such a committed professional, it's always impressive to see an ethical disclaimer like the one you put on the end of this post. Deals for testimony are so prevalent, so entrenched in our system, we all need to take a reality check even when we despise the defendents for their politics and (ab)use of power. I feel the need to say you serve such an important function in our human, and therefore flawed, system of justice. You and yours are the kind of consistent pests "the system" needs to be kept as honest as possible. Keep up the good work.

    Re: Raw Story: Wurmser Cooperating (none / 0) (#5)
    by Jlvngstn on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:05:09 PM EST
    With the possible exception of Sarcastic Unnamed, I find it very revealing that ONCE AGAIN, all the right posters on this site are silent until the "talking points" are released. It is as i suspected, PPJ et al do not have much in the way of original thought or argument and must wait for the orders.... SU typically posts right away, and agree or disagree i definitely respect his/her willingness to immediately express opinions on the matter...

    Re: Raw Story: Wurmser Cooperating (none / 0) (#6)
    by theologicus on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:05:09 PM EST
    Thanks for the cautionary words. For some time now, however, I have worried that people like Wurmser might be the only ones to take the rap. I hadn't considered the possibility of their turning.

    Re: Raw Story: Wurmser Cooperating (none / 0) (#7)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:05:09 PM EST
    Hey, someone talking about me? ;-) Jl, I'm a him. And I'm sorry if I dissapoint, but I've paid very little attention to, and I don't think I've ever posted on, this issue. As far as I'm concerned, most likely, where there's smoke there's fire, and no amount of my energy spent on the issue will change anything. No amount of my energy will affect this tide. My only comment is that I've personally seen almost zero traction among the general population regarding this issue which seems so all-encompassing to many of us geeks on TL. Regarding "talking points" I get almost absolutely 100% of my news right here on TL. On occasion I pick up some news on the radio on my ride home, although the "news" I listen to is usually NPR. I read here, and then try to apply my own common sense to the issues. For better or for worse. Too many issues, too little time.

    Re: Raw Story: Wurmser Cooperating (none / 0) (#8)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:05:09 PM EST
    Oh no, Wormser has talked! We know they are sunk if Louis and Gilbert or Booger talk.

    Re: Raw Story: Wurmser Cooperating (none / 0) (#9)
    by Sailor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:05:09 PM EST
    Dadler brings up an excellent point, (via TL), if you can't offer money to a witness, why would you be able to offer something much more precious? It's not like the defense can offer freedom, but every day DA's do it. Why isn't this considered a bribe for testimony?

    Re: Raw Story: Wurmser Cooperating (none / 0) (#10)
    by Jlvngstn on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:05:09 PM EST
    SU - I was actually complimenting you as you always go to the fray immediately, ppj et al wait to hear the repub talking points and then espouse those views. You are one of the few i enjoy dialoguing with as you don't need any stinkin talking points to voice your opinion and I respect that. so kudos to you, you are of course usually completely wrong, but that is not your fault it is because you don't watch bill maher i am sure.

    Re: Raw Story: Wurmser Cooperating (none / 0) (#11)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:05:09 PM EST
    Suo:"zero traction among the general population" That's because there are no photos yet of Cheney and Rove having sex with Miller's editor, while she shouted encouragement. Details are still emerging.