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Russert Speaks on His Role in Plame Case

By Jeralyn, Section Valerie Plame Leak Case
Posted on Fri Oct 28, 2005 at 09:51:26 AM EST
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Live Blogged: Russert speaks. Subpoenaed in May. On August 7, under oath, at his lawyers' office he was asked if he was recipient of leak, said no. Did he know of Valerie Plame's identity. No. Libby called him not to leak info but to complain about something he saw on television. Libby implied to Russert, Cooper and Miller that he was hearing info on Plame for the first time. Obviously the special counsel didn't believe that.

Russert's contact was solely that Libby called to complain about something on the cable news. He reported the call immediately to the head of NBC News. Russert's first learned of Plame when reading Novak's column.

< Indictment Day: Open Thread | Libby Indicted, Resigns >

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    Russert Speaks on His Role in Plame Case | 7 comments (7 topical)
    Re: Russert Speaks on His Role in Plame Case (none / 0) (#1)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:05:30 PM EST
    This suggests to me that Libby made the call to Russert specifically as cover for his later BS. He needed a conversation with Russert, something that would be reflected in phone logs and in hazy memories down the line. So, Libby made up an excuse and rang Russert up. Now he's got the fact of the phone call. Let the chips fall where they may later on the substance of the call. Or maybe I just need to lie down with a cool damp towel on my head. That seems more likely.

    Re: Russert Speaks on His Role in Plame Case (none / 0) (#2)
    by Tom Maguire on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:05:30 PM EST
    Was Libby offered a plea deal, or is he really volunteering to go to trial with this? I can't even imagine a convincing explanaton, since he apparently went with the Russert story several times, but... asusuming Libby is not insane, he must have some defense in mind. Here is my current absurd theory, based on the "cable news" hint, where Russert is not routinely found - Libby spoke to some other reporter, and brain-locked on Russert. Now all he has to do is find the the reporter. I used to confuse Chris MAttews and Tim Russert until I realized that Matthews is the one who talks fast and is totally insane.

    Re: Russert Speaks on His Role in Plame Case (none / 0) (#3)
    by desertswine on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:05:30 PM EST
    I used to confuse Chris MAttews and Tim Russert until I realized that Matthews is the one who talks fast and is totally insane.
    Russert is the one with the giant potato head.

    Re: Russert Speaks on His Role in Plame Case (none / 0) (#4)
    by Tom Maguire on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:05:30 PM EST
    OK, here is a seriously good idea - a Lexis-Nexis maven might be able to figure out just what show Libby was complaining about (Russert did say that he relayed Libby's concerns to the head of NBC News, so the call could not have been a complete fabrication.) SO, a Lexis-Nexis maven might narrow the dates to that week in July, look for Libby and Russert, and see what comes up. Or, just look for Libby on the cable news shows. It was a big week for the 16 Words, so there may be too many hits, but still...

    Re: Russert Speaks on His Role in Plame Case (none / 0) (#5)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:05:30 PM EST
    Tom: Libby called Russert on July 10 or 11. Wilson was on Russert's show on July 6. :^{)

    Re: Russert Speaks on His Role in Plame Case (none / 0) (#6)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:05:30 PM EST
    Tom, I did that. The answer is Hardball and Chris Matthews and I posted the transcript sections here.

    Re: Russert Speaks on His Role in Plame Case (none / 0) (#7)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:05:32 PM EST
    Russert made the point that Libby called him as a viewer, not as a source. Consequently, I suppose, he was not bound by reporter's ethics to not reveal their sources. What about the other reporters?

    Russert Speaks on His Role in Plame Case | 7 comments (7 topical)