David Gregory To Host Meet The Press (While Hiding From It)

David Gregory's ascension to the throne vacated by Tim Russert may be announced today, according to the Politico.  David Gregory took a pass on his role in the Valerie Plame case back in 2007 and will no doubt continue to do so.  But with the possibility that a Scooter Libby pardon will make news, please indulge me while I publicly puzzle on a couple of points:

1.  Former White House press spokesperson Ari Fleischer testified that he told John Dickerson and David Gregory that Joe Wilson's wife was involved in launching Wilson's infamous trip to Niger.  John Dickerson responded with an arguably tepid "I have a different memory".

As to the truth, who knows?  The record should note that Ari Fleischer also denied leaking to Walter Pincus of the Washington Post, but apparently had.  This was happening during Mr. Fleischer's last week on the job during a surely-hectic Presidential trip to Africa, so a bit of confusion is understandable.

However!  David Gregory, as best I know, has never addressed this since the trial (I held my breath for a while then gave up, even though I got many compliments for my nicely coordinated blue eyes and face.)  And here is the rub - a definitive answer from Gregory would undermine either Ari Fleischer or Tim Russert, both of whom were important prosecution witnesses and one of whom was Gregory's boss at the time (Russert had claimed that if Gregory had known about a Wilson and wife link then Russert would have been told and he had not been).  At the time the public's right to know took a back seat to placating Special Counsel Fitzgerald and Washington Bureau Chief Russert.  And now?

David Gregory did offer a non-denial denial back when Tim Russert gathered his subordinates to walk through their stories following the Libby indictment.  Interestingly, Gregory claimed that "I should just point out, that nobody called me at any point [with a Plame leak]"; Fleischer's testimony was that his leak to Gregory and Dickerson was face-to-face.

2.  What was the cozy relationship between Special Counsel Fitzgerald and NBC News?  There are a couple of glaring examples of Fitzgerald dancing with the NBC stars.  First, there was his Jan 23, 2006 letter to Libby's counsel (Exhibit C) which mentioned John Dickerson as a possible leak recipient but, for no apparent reason, omitted David Gregory:

We also advise you that we understand that reporter John Dickerson of Time magazine discussed the trip by Mr. Wilson with government officials at some time on July 11 or after, subsequent to Mr. Cooper learning about Mr. Wilson's wife. Any conversations involving Mr. Dickerson likely took place in Africa and occurred after July 11.

That letter provoked a column from John Dickerson; surely there would have been public interest in Gregory's possible role, if Fitzgerald had noted it.

As a second example of Fitzgerald's deference to NBC, let me mention his staged court tussle with Tim Russert that was intended to force Russert to testify to Fitzgerald's grand jury.  Russert had already discussed his interaction with Libby with the FBI.  However, Russert claimed in his court filings that he could not cooperate with Fitzgerald's investigation because source protection was paramount.  OK, it is understandable that Russert would want to pose as a lion of the free press, but it was a bit awkward given his previous cooperation. 

Fortunately, Fitzgerald played along with this sham - in explaining to the judge that Russert had a past history of flexibility on source protection Fitzgerald cited an old television show but never mentioned the much more topical fact that Russert had already cooperated with the FBI.  No doubt helpful for Tim's image as a stalwart of press freedom, but not fully forthcoming with the judge.

What was it with Fitzgerald and NBC?  One might almost think that an aggressive prosecutor was protecting one of his star witnesses rather than probing for the truth.

I just know that David Gregory will want to unburden his conscience on these points.

Comments

[MayBee]

When Tim Russert died, I realized just how personally close he, Andrea Mitchell, and David Gregory were. They were all in it together.

It galls me to hear Chris Matthews and his Scooter Libby-is-a-felon-countdown-to-a-pardon schtick on Hardball. Matthews himself got Libby involved with NBC by lying about Cheney's interaction with Wilson, and yet he insists it is his job as a journalist to make sure Obama succeeds as President.

[cathyf]

This actually links to the previous thread... In real life you don't lie because lying is wrong, not because liars get caught. In real life, you don't go committing perjury and getting someone convicted because in real life you might keel over from a heart attack before you have the opportunity to make things right.

[MayBee]

Brilliant observation, cathyf.

[Frau Jedöns]

Andrea Mitchell's "Everybody knew" became "I misspoke." Will they *all* carry it to their graves?

[hrtshpdbox]

I held my breath for a while then gave up, even though I got many compliments for my nicely coordinated blue eyes and face.

Nice line; I'll be stealing it.

[LindaK]

Russert, Mitchell and Gregory had a story and they stuck with it. But why?

[KJF]

Russert was not a Plame pal. He knew what happened with Plame. He just died. Matthews is Plame friendly and gets his show. Plame pals are getting paid, Plame non pals just die.

[Jane]

Russert, Mitchell and Gregory had a story and they stuck with it. But why?

Anything to hurt the President.

[clarice]

Excellent, cathyf.

What's Mitchell's punishment..Having to wake up to Allen's face on the pillow next to hers' every morning? And Gregory's? Does he get a leg up on the competition as a payoff for ditching his conscience for his career?

[The Birthday Fairy]

The Culinary Clarice Countdown, #4: Dinner with Soylent.

We had spinach and feta nibbles; tomatoes with basil and mozzarella; grilled rib veal chops with lemon and rosemary; rosemary potatoes; mache salad; and meringues with passion fruit sorbet and currents and mixed berries and espresso. (I couldn't drink any wine because all the meds had made me dizzy enough but we had a nice Italian red.)

Posted by: clarice | August 21, 2008 at 11:24 PM

[vinman]

Gregory's new fame entitles him to a nice little background check, shall we?

[cathyf]

I'm also afraid that Bob Novak is going to die before he tells us the identity of Wilson's friend that he met on the street.

[Ann]

Happy Birthday, Clarice!

Jane, I have been thinking of "Tuesdays with Jane" today. How did it go? Don't mean to bug you but I love your updates.:)

[clarice]

Where's Topsecret and Mrs H&R? I think the sky tonight is trying to tell us something:"If you haven't seen the southwestern sky just after sunset, and even if you have, feast your eyes tonight -- it may be the same spectacular show that drew the wise men to Bethlehem in search of a newborn king. From our vantage point on the planet, it's a glowing triangle of Venus, Jupiter and the waxing crescent moon. "

I suppose I'm the waxing crescent in this threesome. *sigh*

[PDinDetroit]

Aw, c'mon Clarice, claim the role of "bright, shining Venus". It IS your birthday after all!

I did notice that Jupiter and Venus were especially bright and very close together while hunting last weekend.

Any special reason for this "alignment"?

[PDinDetroit]

This winter, Venus is the unrivaled evening star that will soar from excellent to magnificent prominence in the southwest at nightfall. The interval by which it follows the sun will increase from nearly three hours on Monday to almost four hours by Jan. 1.

Sounds like Clarice to me! See LUN.

[kim]

What are the bets on Bush pardonning Libby. Also, if he does, can Libby get his law license back?
===================================

[Jane]

Jane, I have been thinking of "Tuesdays with Jane" today.

Today we named the show: "Fun with Dick and Jane". (you might have to be over 50 to get that)

WE talked about Obama's appointments specifically Hillary and Holde,- and how a national security briefing focuses the mind; the bailout for the auto companies; Ted Kennedy and Chappaquiddick; India and Pakistan; the new Red Sox casket (I pronounced that the news item of the week) the 5 cases facing the Supreme's about O; Judges (we have a new Supreme in MA who just wrote a brief defending poor homeowners against predatory lenders and some other stuff.

He agreed to let me tape the show and make a podcast (look for that in January).

My (now 2)listeners said I managed to keep him from going on and on and that was good.

[Porchlight]

Happy birthdays to Clarice, Tops and Mrs. Hit and Run! It's a great day.

[clarice]

kim, if Libby is pardoned he will get his law license back--a pardon erases the conviction and but for that he'd not have had to turn in his license to practice.

[Appalled]

clarice:

I thought Nixon was disbarred, notwithstanding the pardon. You can get disbarred, even for actions that are not criminal.

[clarice]

I suppose you can get disbarred for conduct which isn't criminal, but that's not the case here. He was a member in good standing who had to turn in his license solely because of the felony conviction. If he's pardoned, that conviction is erased and he can practice again.

[bgates]

Happy Birthday Clarice, ts, and Mrs Run.

Jane, I'm 34 and I get the show title.

Just make sure nobody truncates it, or you'll have the FCC on you like Bubba on...
better not finish that, or I'll get the FCC after the blog.

[Thomas Collins]

Podcast!!! I may finally get to hear Jane's show (I was going to try to sneak out to the Auburn/Southbridge area today (where the station can be picked up), but work intervened).

I was going to call the station and tell them Jane's show should be on the programming guide, but I figured I should listen to one first in the event they asked me what in particular I liked about the show.

[Jane]

Just make sure nobody truncates it, or you'll have the FCC on you like Bubba on...

What does that mean?

Don't worry TC, no one would ask you that. And if they did, you simply need to reply: "Jane".

[bgates]

"Fun with Dick" could be misconstrued.

[bgates]

For an example of how that sort of thing can happen on the radio, see here.

[Thomas Collins]

Done. Got the voice mail, so I left a message.

[clarice]

BTW a quick glance shows that Alger Hiss was the first lawyer in Massachusetts reinstated to the bar after a felony conviction.

[syn]

People are still watching TV? How backward.

[Jane]

"Fun with Dick" could be misconstrued.

Ahhhh, I am getting old.

[glasater]

Jane--you'll feel younger after you check out bgates link just above. It is so funnly!!!

[Thomas Collins]

I imagine that Bob and Carol and Ted and Alice also doesn't ring a bell with the young folks.

[Jane]

I saw it, and I actually saw it live (well on TV, but you know what I mean.)

[glenda waggoner]

I wonder what kind of shows he won't do on Fannie and Freddie!
And if Bush pardons Libby, I will watch to see what perjury exactly means over at NBC.

[The Birthday Fairy]

The Culinary Clarice Countdown, #3: Dinner with Hit and Run.

(eggplant parmesan ala Ada boni; grilled quali stuffed with Italian sausage/shallots/cognac and parsley; arugula salad and either apple tart; pear clafouti or raspberry meringue and vanilla custard for dessert) A nice red rhone ..

Posted by: clarice | September 24, 2008 at 08:31 PM

[sdferr]

I remember there being a third person named as being in the group with Gregory and Dickerson as Fleischer leaked to them, a less well known female journalist (who's name and affiliation I can't remember at the moment, but remarked upon here in the comments at the time), who, as far as I know, was never questioned as to her memory of Fleischer's communication. I never did understand that lacuna. I still don't.

Ah, wait, here she is.....Tamara Lippert, Newsweek....found in the transcript of Fleischer's testimony at FDL.

[Jane]

I don't think Libby has asked for a pardon, and I would be surprised if Bush issued one unsolicited.

[PeterUK]

If I were Libby,I wouldn't ask for a pardon,nor would I accept one if one were offered. Better to stand at the bar of history than let let the travesty of a trial stand.

[Captain Hate]

I imagine that Bob and Carol and Ted and Alice also doesn't ring a bell with the young folks.

I'd pay a significant amount of money to have that bell clapper permanently removed.

[glenda waggoner]

Nice one, Cap'n..I can't believe I ever thought Elliot Gould was cute=wait=I didn't!

And, Happy Birthday, also, to tops and Mrs.Hit--she, must have the patience of Jobe!

[bad]

Remind me again to whom David Gregory is married.

[Thomas Collins]

Bgates, I am staying late at work tonight to get ahead of the December rush. I came back from dinner at Brandy Pete's in the Financial District of Boston ready to get rolling after a nice salmon plate. I click your link and watch, and all I can think about now are NPR announcers enjoying edible Xmas "spheres." How am I supposed to get work done???? :-))))

[narciso]

Beth Wilkinson, general counsel to Fannie Mae; what do I win?

[bad]

My everlasting gratitude, you fountain of wisdom.

[Ann]

Happy Birthday, Tops and Mrs. Hit!

I can't wait to hear the podcast for "Fun with Dick and Jane".

Speaking of fun, took the girls to the mall for Christmas shopping this afternoon. Our first stop was Barnes and Noble and the first thing in the store was a kiosk of childrens books for "Barack Obama: Son of Promise, Child of Hope". Yes, gag me!

Upstairs we went to the biography section because they all had to buy a bio for a school project. You would not believe the number of biographies already published for our Dear Leader and his wife. Gag me, again!!

Just to make sure I wasn't imagining the number of books I saw, I googled amazon.com when I got home and there are 2,637 results for books on : BARACK How can there be so many books on two people that have not accomplished anything. It was sobering and depressing.

The rest of the shopping trip wasn't any better. The entire mall had Barack Obama T-shirts for sale. You just can't get away from the insanity. I guess I am back to Turner Classic Movies with my blanky.

What are we teaching our children about leadership, accomplishments, working hard, patriotism, ... nevermind, I know the answer and it is frightening.

The only good that came out of our trip was that I was there to help direct them to women biographies on Martha Washington, Louisa May Alcott, Annie Oakley, Abigail Smith Adams, etc. (They have to dress like the woman they are reporting on and the time period is 1700- 1800) Thank goodness for that.

Sorry, for rambling but this is just the beginning!

[Extraneus]

There's still Iowahawk, Ann.

Apologetic Mumbai Killers: "We Didn't Get the Memo About Obama"

"Jeez, I'm... I don't know, I just never got any kind of memo," said Kasab. "The ironic thing is that just the other day, when we were ritually shaving our testicles for final martyrdom, a bunch of us were talking about how great and symbolic it would be if the American infidels would only elect an handsome, articulate young African-American infidel. That way we could just lay down the suicide belts and scimitars and suitcase nukes and finally get involved in the positive aspects of community activism, like raising awareness for breast cancer research."

[not_bubaroooni]

happy b-day clarice!

[mrs hit and run]

Happy Birthday Clarice! I am honored to share this day with you.

[not_bubaroooni]

it's my oldest daughters b-day too. the big 1-3. alas, a teenager...

oddly enough, when i awoke this morning my back hurt, my hair a bit thinner and my eyes not quite as functional as the day before.

having a teenager must mean i'm getting old...