Cheney Expresses Support for Gonzales and Libby

By Jeralyn, Section Dick Cheney
Posted on Mon Jul 30, 2007 at 03:33:13 PM EST
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In an interview with Mark Knoller of CBS news that airs today, Vice President Dick Cheney voices support for Alberto Gonzales and says he was truthful with Congress.

In the 13 minute interview, which you can watch here, Cheney also discusses Scooter Libby.

Contrary to Bush who said he accepted the jury's verdict but thought the sentence was excessive, Cheney says Libby's jury got the verdict wrong.

I don't know when the interview was conducted, but I assume it was yesterday or today since Cheney was in the hospital getting his pacemaker battery updated Saturday. I don't have time to watch the interview now, but I wonder if the Knoller asked Cheney if he was the one who sent Gonzales and Card to John Ashcroft's hospital room in March, 2004. A New York Times editorial Sunday said Cheney directed the visit, but no one else seems to have confirmed that.

More....

Both men say that in March 2004 — when Mr. Gonzales was still the White House counsel — the Justice Department refused to endorse a continuation of the wiretapping program because it was illegal. (Mr. Comey was running the department temporarily because Attorney General John Ashcroft had emergency surgery.) Unwilling to accept that conclusion, Vice President Dick Cheney sent Mr. Gonzales and another official to Mr. Ashcroft’s hospital room to get him to approve the wiretapping.

Did the Times get that right or wrong? I'd also note Comey repeatedly refused to say the program was illegal during his testimony. He kept insisting (hair-splitting) that his and Ashcroft's refusal to re-authorize the program had to do with their not being able to find legal support for it. He didn't know if it was illegal or not, but he wasn't signing off on something he could find no legal support for.

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Cheney Expresses Support for Gonzales and Libby | 3 comments (3 topical)

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Well... (none / 0) (#1)
by Strick on Mon Jul 30, 2007 at 04:27:33 PM EST

A New York Times editorial Sunday said Cheney directed the visit, but no one else seems to have confirmed that.

According to Comey's testimony, he was under the impression it was the President himself who made the call to Ashcroft, though he couldn't be sure. Either way he believed the call came from the White House. That suggests it wasn't Cheney who directed Card and Gonzales to visit Ashcroft.

I'd also note Comey repeatedly refused to say the program was illegal during his testimony.

And, of course, Comey also repeatedly refused to specify which program the visit was in relation to, though he clearly discussed the details with Mueller. ;)

Naturally... (none / 0) (#2)
by aj12754 on Mon Jul 30, 2007 at 08:12:47 PM EST

Cheney's reputation for truth and integrity make him the inevitable choice to defend Doofus and Dweeb.

I really cannot wait to hear what Jack Goldsmith has to say.

Knoller was worse than useless (none / 0) (#3)
by weldon berger on Tue Jul 31, 2007 at 01:22:58 AM EST

The interview was today, and no, Knoller did not ask whether Cheney sent the kneebreakers to the hospital. He was, in a word, pathetic: did not press Cheney on anything and even expressed his horror at the degree to which Bush and Cheney have been "demonized and vilified" for their Iraq 'strategy.' Astonishing performance.