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Chris Matthews reacts to Libby verdict

Posted: Tuesday, March 06, 2007 12:22 PM by Hardball

Why were Vice President Cheney and his chief of staff Scooter Libby so intent on avoiding responsibility for Joseph Wilson’s 2002 trip to Africa?  The trial heard sworn testimony from several witnesses that it was the Vice President’s inquiry that triggered the CIA trip. 

So, in the words of prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald, what was all the “hullabaloo” when Joe Wilson wrote in the New York Times that it was “the vice president’s office” that had raised the question with the CIA of a possible Saddam Hussein effort to buy uranium from Niger?  Why did Cheney and Libby want everybody to think it wasn’t the vice president?”  Why did Cheney’s chief of staff call and complain so fatefully when Wilson’s claims were repeated on “Hardball?”

Could it be that Cheney feared that if the country knew it was his inquiry that led to the Africa trip then he, the president’s right-hand man, could be expected to have gotten a full report on the trip’s findings.

In that case, Cheney would have known a year ahead of time that there was no deal by Saddam Hussein to buy uranium yellowcake in Niger.  He should therefore have kept the president from making that assertion in his 2003 State of the Union that “British intelligence” reported a Saddam effort to buy uranium from Africa.  That assertion of a nuclear threat from Iraq is what tilted this country toward war.

I asked George Tenet, the CIA director, to explain why the vice president never got a report on a CIA fact-finding trip that was triggered by his inquiry.  Tennet’s reply was “Ask him!”

Click on the image below to watch Chris Matthews' analysis of the case on MSNBC TV

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Comments

Patrick Fitzgerald for president. The one man in Washington who hands down understands the meaning of truth

Jay Heit Los Angeles, CA (Sent Tuesday, March 06, 2007 12:50 PM)

The trial was a waste of time and money. I think the press has made to much out of this. So he forgot what was said or heard and had a memory relapse, look at all the politicans who have had memory relapses, especially during the Clinton Administration. If the democrats go after this administration, they should be ashamed of themselves.

Robert, Sacramento, CA (Sent Tuesday, March 06, 2007 12:59 PM)

This is an act of treason. As a former member of the military service, this behavior is a disgrace and insult to the USA. It truly makes me ill in the pit of my stomach. That the defenders of freedom would throw a patriot "under the bus." And, as usual, Scooter will go to Allenwood to work on his tennis game and talk a lot on his cell phone. Then, will be pardoned by President Bush on his last day in office, just like the President before him. I am ashamed that there isn't an anger in veterans groups and the intelligence community that this act of treason isn't treated as such. I believe George Washington would hang him from the nearest tree.

Bob M, Milford, PA (Sent Tuesday, March 06, 2007 1:00 PM)

Libby is just the first in a long line of men responsible for starting a war on false pretenses. George W Bush and Dick Cheney wanted this war and did everything they could to drag the country into war, shamefully using the Sept 11th attacks as an added catalyst. The guilt doesn't stop with Libby, it goes all the way up into the farthest reaches into the White House.

Karla Golay, Oakridge,Oregon (Sent Tuesday, March 06, 2007 1:01 PM)

An expensive legal exercise in "bull". Appeals will last until 1 day after Nov 2008 election. Of course, Bush will pardon him. Libby was a good soldier. Of course no one has the guts to go after the real criminals. Nice to have power and money. You & I would be rotting in federal prison.

Mike North Carolina (Sent Tuesday, March 06, 2007 1:02 PM)

So who gets charged with outing a CIA Secret Agent? What about the culpability of Bob Novak?

Linda Thomas, Oneonta, NY (Sent Tuesday, March 06, 2007 1:03 PM)

This case goes to the heart of the problem with this Administration's practices and policies. Misleading statements to the American People which lead to War and coverups,lies and inaccuracies to support the Administration's position at all costs. After 9/11 I just expected more from the President and Vice President-I thought "We (Americans)" were moving towards a more truthful, honest and straight forward government, but unfortunately we miss the mark, again.

Rodney Franklin, Houston, Texas (Sent Tuesday, March 06, 2007 1:03 PM)

Libby: The American people deserve the truth. We have spent billions of dollars and lost thousands of lives in a war that could and SHOULD have been prevented. Please come clean to Patrick Fitzgerald, and more importantly, to the American .

Kate Marshall, DC (Sent Tuesday, March 06, 2007 1:08 PM)

I still don't sense outrage generally from people, only apathy or downright ignorance of what is going on. I doubt that a presidential pardon (which sounds inevitable) would make people angry. Does anyone care about the integrity of our government?

josh b, san diego, CA (Sent Tuesday, March 06, 2007 1:08 PM)

Fitzgerald's skillful prosecution of this case will ultimately lead to the conviction of the Bush/Cheney Administration in the court of public opinion.

Joe Walden, Janesville WI (Sent Tuesday, March 06, 2007 1:11 PM)

Chris: “Libby was convicted Tuesday of obstruction, perjury and lying ….” I think it is right verdict Now if we could only prosecute all other lying Reps., we might have an almost empty house. According to special prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald’s TV report today, “There is no more special prosecution” We should ask why not??? Regards, Inge - PA

Inge Olson, York, PA (Sent Tuesday, March 06, 2007 1:12 PM)

If Bush does pardon Libby. It will be the exclamation point after worst president ever.

Mark D (Sent Tuesday, March 06, 2007 1:14 PM)

Although there have been recent time lines indicating that the Wilson trip was arranged prior to Cheney asking, the question that Cheney probably asked was: "Who is this idiot writing in the NYT?" If Wilson was the best person to send to Niger, than this country has a serious lack of talent in and around the government. Obviously Plame arranged her husband's trip. And just as obviously Wilson lied about the trip. It is just hard to figure why Libby just didn't fess up and admit that he discussed Plame with several journalists. After all, by saying that Plame arranged the trip for her husband, he was telling the truth.

Arthur Webster (Sent Tuesday, March 06, 2007 1:15 PM)

Government has become a fiction. The world is now ruled by corporations. Wake up!

John, San Francisco, CA (Sent Tuesday, March 06, 2007 1:15 PM)

It would only be just if SOMEONE would go after the folks really responsible for the tragic war we find ourselves in now.

Eric S, North Carolina (Sent Tuesday, March 06, 2007 1:15 PM)

We the people are apathetic and cynical only because our representatives are. Politics has become nothing more than a wrestling match, televised, violent and brutal grudge matches, and in the end, scripted to a t.

Jeff, San Rafael, California (Sent Tuesday, March 06, 2007 1:15 PM)

Sandy Berger is the one who should be going to jail.

Kevin R. (Sent Tuesday, March 06, 2007 1:16 PM)

Politicians and the Press. They deserve each other. Common sense dictates that it doesn't matter who said what to whom. We are in a WAR. The only answer is to win the dam war.

Michael Contino, New York, NY (Sent Tuesday, March 06, 2007 1:16 PM)

I only wish it would oust cheney and bush tomorrow lets save ourselves from ruthless dictators....asap...this probably will keep going until the end of Bush's term by then it'll be to late.

paul, chicago, IL (Sent Tuesday, March 06, 2007 1:17 PM)

This is one small victory for truth, and hopefully, one giant step toward accountability for the Bush Administration.

b.g. Waco, KY (Sent Tuesday, March 06, 2007 1:18 PM)

Ya, as ashamed as the republicans are letting Ken Starr spend so much tax payer money - I say, let the public know just how shamful this administration is!!

Pam B, Raleigh, NC (Sent Tuesday, March 06, 2007 1:18 PM)

"The administration I'll bring is a group of men and women who are focused on what's best for America, honest men and women, decent men and women, women who will see service to our country as a great privilege and who will not stain the house." GWBush Jan. 15, 2000 Meaningless rhetoric or flat out lies? This administration is a terrible disgrace and it will take us decades to recover from the damage they have done to our once proud nation.

Melanie K. (Sent Tuesday, March 06, 2007 1:19 PM)

1. Libby did not impede the investigation. Fitz knew from outset who leaked Plame. He was fishing for people who would lie to stay out of jail. He found them in droves. Big surprise. 2. Libby probably lied, but they needed to PROVE IT. Judge made critical mistakes during the trial that undermined defense ability to establish reasonable doubt. Libby will win on appeal. Judge will resign.

San Diego (Sent Tuesday, March 06, 2007 1:19 PM)

I think that the verdict was correct, however, I am still waiting for the person who leaked the information to be brought up on charges of treason. I remember the President promising that whomever leaked the information would be prosecuted when the scandal broke despite the efforts of the White House, yet another broken promise. The lack of accountability in this administration borders on that enjoyed by a dictatorship. President Bush has stripped America of its very soul and I feel shamed.

stephanie, baltimore, md (Sent Tuesday, March 06, 2007 1:20 PM)

Patrick Fitzgerald is a courageous person, and so is Chris Matthews for keeping this issue at the forefront. So much of what happens between the Whitehouse doors is covered up through intimidation and veiled threats, finally we get a small victory for truth. Keep asking the same question, Chris: If Cheney got the Niger report, where is it????

Kate Van (Sent Tuesday, March 06, 2007 1:21 PM)

Ive been saying the Bush Adminstration should have been impeached a long time ago.If this verdict isnt further proof,what is? The war rush based on outright lies and deception is not just from Libby,it's from the entire White House. Imagine an act of treason pardoned in olny 2 years.It will happen if Bush and cheney remain

Greg-Providence RI (Sent Tuesday, March 06, 2007 1:21 PM)

The bottom line: power and money. Libby will walk free, and in the long run, nothing will be done. The government will spin and do anything to make a wrong right. This shows the american voters that government is above the laws, when he gets pardoned by "our" ? government and president.

Lee C (Sent Tuesday, March 06, 2007 1:21 PM)

Dear Robert, Whatever else you may think, it wasn't the Press that found Libby guilty on 4 out of 5 counts. Please remember that it was the Republican Party that insisted during the Clinton Years that Clinton's lying about Lewinsky was an imperachable offense. If lying about sex is an impeachable act, how does lying about the outing of a covert, undercover CIA agent rank? As Fitzgerald said today, Plame's classified status was an unimpeachable fact. Your response ignores the facts of the case. Lying to FBI agents is a crime. Lying to a Grand Jury is a crime. Shouldn;t you be thrilled that the Justice system has adequately recognized those facts?

EMS (Sent Tuesday, March 06, 2007 1:21 PM)

How predictable - the press having a collective "orgasm" over this stupid story involving a republican. Who cares.

Paul - Omaha (Sent Tuesday, March 06, 2007 1:22 PM)

Chris Matthews is a loud mouth that like to slat his reporting to met his own political views. Report the facts as presented not the way you want them to appear.

Erik, Kansas (Sent Tuesday, March 06, 2007 1:22 PM)

This a clear punch from the ultra Libs out there! Matthews, there was not this much bantor when the former President Clinton was IMPEACHED!

Robert Omni, Washington DC (Sent Tuesday, March 06, 2007 1:23 PM)

Libby is lucky. Look at all the oppurtunity he has after the Presidential Pardon. A Run for the Senate from Connecticut , A News Analyst job at Fox News. I wish I was him.

George A.P, Carrollton, TX (Sent Tuesday, March 06, 2007 1:23 PM)

Kudos to Fitzgerald's masterful handling of the case. Will someone among the congressional Democrats strap on a pair of balls and follow-up with a formal investigation of the administration's lies that led us into this woeful, unnecessary and bungled adventure in Iraq?

Joseph F, Particle, IA (Sent Tuesday, March 06, 2007 1:23 PM)

Cheney and Bush orchestrated this from the start and Libby is taking the fall until the pardon comes. Isn't it funny how the personal fortunes of the Cheney and Bush families have tripled since 2000 while the rest of us are made to wait on a stagnent market. Bush finally said in 11/06/06 "we are in Iraq to protect "OUR" natural resources." Libby was and is a pawn who will be treated well for falling on his sword.

Egbert McFishbiscuit (Sent Tuesday, March 06, 2007 1:24 PM)

Chris Matthews blog states: "I asked George Tennet, the CIA director, to explain why the vice president never got a report on a CIA fact-finding trip that was triggered by his inquiry. Tennet’s reply was 'Ask him!'” My Question to Chris is: In the interest of a fair and balanced report--Did You???

Jim F, Darien, IL (Sent Tuesday, March 06, 2007 1:24 PM)

The President, Vice President, and many others are guilty of treason; a jury has found them guilty and they have received their due process. Will this administration continue to mock the foundations of our legislative branch of government, or will they volunteer for full sentences and the death penalty?

Barrett Beshoar Montrose, CO (Sent Tuesday, March 06, 2007 1:29 PM)

Sounds like treason to me. No way the American public would have supported the pre-emptive Iraqi invasion without being told Saddam had Weapons of Mass Destruction and/or strong ties to Bin Ladin. As Deep Throat said: You have to follow the money... US taxpayer's dollars used to tear up Afghanistan and Iraq, US taxpayer's dollars used to rebuild Iraq, meanwhile good business for Halliburton, EXXON, etc. We go from record surplus to record deficits. Meanwhile tax cuts on dividends. Meanwhile $2 and $3 a gallon gasoline (a very flat tax). The rich get richer and the poor get poorer. W has served his true class, his "base," very well!

Paul, Union City, NJ (Sent Tuesday, March 06, 2007 1:29 PM)

Chris is a blow hard who speaks on behalf of the Democrat National Party

Dan Roberts, Arlington, VA (Sent Tuesday, March 06, 2007 1:29 PM)

Its time to really play hardball,corruption,scandal,depleted treasury, lives forever shattered. Impeachment and jail is the only answer to restore credibility.

steve russell portland oregon (Sent Tuesday, March 06, 2007 1:29 PM)

Its funny how when there is a republican president we have the same bull as when we have a democrat. The media tries to build case after case in the news. We never wait for the verdict because we have already tried them in the press. What do we need a judicial system for? Lets just have the producers and editors be the jury and since they already know the final sentence and release date we dont even have to go before a judge.

Carl Boyanton, New Orleans, La. (Sent Tuesday, March 06, 2007 1:30 PM)

In true perspective Scooter Libby is a very minor player in the debacle that is this administration and its lies. The true culprits are Bush and Cheney and no time should be lost in calling them to account. They alone are responsible for the tragic loss of our American soldiers, and for the corruption now being disclosed on every hand.

Donald F. Morey, Murphysboro, Illinois. (Sent Tuesday, March 06, 2007 1:30 PM)

Too bad Scooter didn't have the foresight to take Valarie to bed - then it would be all about sex and perjury lies wouldn't matter!

Jim walker (Sent Tuesday, March 06, 2007 1:30 PM)

I agree with Robert. Republicans we elect SHOULD be allowed to lie to us. Clinton lied to us once and got away with it, so all Republicans should be excused if they ever lie to us.

Asad (Sent Tuesday, March 06, 2007 1:30 PM)

For those who have said, and to those who still say that this case was about nothing, I say, this case is about everything that we as Americans should hold sacred. It was about truth and accountability in government and in life generally. Apparently, for many, these qualities are optional and that's disappointing. Furtermore, it helps me better understand how we have gotten so far off track.

Keith Jones, Lewisville, TX (Sent Tuesday, March 06, 2007 1:31 PM)

If Libby is convicted, why is Fitzgerald going after Armitrage and Novak who committed treason by doing the actualy exposure. Libby is an after effect. This is a political prosecution.

J, San Jose (Sent Tuesday, March 06, 2007 1:31 PM)

There is a huge snowball rolling downhill, destroying the lives of so many. 3,000 of our soldiers have died. Up to a hundred thousand seriously wounded whose lives will never be the same and a staggering increase in the divorce rate among military personnel. It is not just the soldiers who pay the price. Spouses and parents now have to deal with the loss of the person they knew both physically and mentally prior to this war. Their children are also victims, developing fears and paranoid behavior from the stress of long abcenses and fear of loss of a beloved parent. They are the victims in the skyrocketing divorce rate among our military families. If the information we gleaned from the Libby trial is correct then it appears that this snowball started in the Vice President's office. When will there be an investigation and when will this snoball be stopped?

Christie Smith Hlwd. Florida (Sent Tuesday, March 06, 2007 1:31 PM)

In true perspective Scooter Libby is a very minor player in the debacle that is this administration and its lies. The true culprits are Bush and Cheney and no time should be lost in calling them to account. They alone are responsible for the tragic loss of our American soldiers, and for the corruption now being disclosed on every hand.

Donald F. Morey, Murphysboro, Illinois. (Sent Tuesday, March 06, 2007 1:32 PM)

Ii's true! The most technologically advanced nation on the earth is populated by the worlds most ignorant! Don't even mention the name of TRUE patriots like George Washington. If we had not taken the war to the terrorists we would still be having 9/11's. It's a frightening thing to think about how most of America clamored for war after 9/11, and now that the going gets tough they tuck their tails and run. Perhaps they provoked us into this war because they new we wouldn't have the courage and conviction to see it through, and we would defeat ourselves. Quit whining and go and stick you head back in the sand. Soon a terrorist will end it all for you! And quit blaming everything on the only people with enough courage to stand up for what's right.

K. H.,Birmingham,AL (Sent Tuesday, March 06, 2007 1:32 PM)

Actually there should be another Investigation, Why was Joe Wilson sent by the suggestion of His Wife by the CIA??? Sounds as if something was done by the Orginization to try and hurt The US, The Wilsons shouls also be on trial for TREASON!

An American Who Cares (Sent Tuesday, March 06, 2007 1:32 PM)

There are two types of politicians in washington: Those that have one Libby and those who have many.

Dan B, Palo Alto, CA (Sent Tuesday, March 06, 2007 1:33 PM)



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