McClellan Testifies About Valerie Plame Leak

By Jeralyn, Section Valerie Plame Leak Case
Posted on Fri Jun 20, 2008 at 10:40:34 AM EST
Tags: Valerie Plame, Scott McClellan (all tags)

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Former Press Secretary Scott McClellan testified today before the House Judiciary Committee about the Valerie Plame leaks investigation.

He said former White House Chief of Staff Andy Card told him that the president and vice president wanted him to publicly say that Libby was not involved in the leak.

''I was reluctant to do it,'' McClellan told the Democratic-led panel. ''I got on the phone with Scooter Libby and asked him point-blank, 'Were you involved in this in any way?' And he assured me in unequivocal terms that he was not.''

As to Cheney:

McClellan said he does not believe Bush knew about or caused the leak. When asked about Cheney, he replied: ''I do not know. There's a lot of suspicion there.''

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McClellan Testifies About Valerie Plame Leak | 14 comments (14 topical)

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He Is FOS (5.00 / 1) (#1)
by squeaky on Fri Jun 20, 2008 at 10:44:18 AM EST

And still playing the game, imo. Hope his book bombs. Besides isn't he a criminal for lying to the American people. Why should he profit from his crimes?

I hear what you are saying, but... (none / 0) (#4)
by Exeter on Fri Jun 20, 2008 at 11:31:20 AM EST

Having the courage to say you were wrong should never be under-appreciated.


Courage? (5.00 / 1) (#6)
by squeaky on Fri Jun 20, 2008 at 11:50:32 AM EST

How is profiting from a book that tells us nothing new, and continues to protect BushCo courage?

If you want to read the cliff notes I suggest you check out emptywheels reviews, starting here.


I disagree... (none / 0) (#8)
by Exeter on Fri Jun 20, 2008 at 12:11:35 PM EST

He is the highest ranking Bushco official to validate many of the left's charges about Bush. I agree its nothing new, but it added another nail in the coffin of the Bush legacy and finally brought the MSM media around completely in seeing the truth about Bush.


: Dream On (none / 0) (#9)
by squeaky on Fri Jun 20, 2008 at 12:27:08 PM EST

He is going to vote GOP, he is a party man and I am sure that his book got full BushCo approval. This is all about $$$, nothing about honor.
How does this add another nail in the Bush Legacy. He protects Bush through out the book. Bush and Cheney did not know about any of this according to McClellan. They are innocents.

Waiting for the book (none / 0) (#11)
by Lora on Fri Jun 20, 2008 at 01:30:07 PM EST

I am curious to see what he has to say before I praise or condemn him. I hope my library gets a copy soon.


: If You Are Interested (5.00 / 1) (#13)
by squeaky on Fri Jun 20, 2008 at 01:37:39 PM EST

In the subject, emptywheel is worth checking out. She has written several posts on the book comparing McLellan's account to contemporaneous news and statements.

If we are going to buy a "tell all book" (none / 0) (#10)
by hairspray on Fri Jun 20, 2008 at 12:32:39 PM EST

my suggestion is to buy the one by David Yglesias the fired US attorney from New Mexico. He was on the Jon Sterwart show the other night pushing his new book. Sorry I cannot find the title. It must be a new release. However, the book is reviewed and is pretty telling about the Bush politicization of the Justice Department. No holds barred.


Testifying TODAY? (5.00 / 1) (#2)
by TeresaInSnow2 on Fri Jun 20, 2008 at 10:49:17 AM EST

Me thinks the house is trying to take the focus off of FISA.

It was really short and there wasn't (5.00 / 1) (#3)
by inclusiveheart on Fri Jun 20, 2008 at 10:53:05 AM EST

really anything new so I don't think their dog and pony show is going to take much focus away from the FISA fight.

The media is having way too much fun proclaiming the Democratic Congress a failure for not being able to stand up to the most unpopular President in the history of this country.


: Big (5.00 / 1) (#5)
by TeresaInSnow2 on Fri Jun 20, 2008 at 11:36:23 AM EST

headlines on CNN and MSNBC about McClellan, absolutely nothing about FISA.

great call (5.00 / 1) (#7)
by Jlvngstn on Fri Jun 20, 2008 at 11:51:42 AM EST

In any case (none / 0) (#12)
by Lora on Fri Jun 20, 2008 at 01:35:42 PM EST

I'm glad he testified.

Steve King embarrassed Iowa again (none / 0) (#14)
by desmoinesdem on Fri Jun 20, 2008 at 04:46:55 PM EST

during the hearing. According to Dana Milbank, when it was King's turn to question McClellan, he asked him, "Couldn't you have taken this to the grave with you and done this country a favor?"

More here:

http://www.bleedingheartland.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=1580