Continued Embarrasment At The AP

Yesterday, John Solomon of the AP broke the news that Tim Russert *may* be an alibi witness for Karl Rove.  He also suggested that there is a discrepancy between the testimony offered by Tim Russert and Cheney's chief of staff, Lewis Libby, writing this:

Libby's testimony stated that Rove had told him about his contact with Novak and that Libby had told Rove about information he had gotten about Wilson's wife from NBC's Tim Russert, according to a person familiar with the information shown to Rove.

Prosecutors, however, have a different account from Russert. The network has said Russert told authorities did not know about Wilson's wife's identity until it was published and therefore could not have told Libby about it.

I said yesterday that the AP would be red-faced when they finally took a moment to carefully read Tim Russert's much-too-specific denial, and urged them to try to get some comment from NBC that was a bit more current than a press release from August 2004.

Here is a bit of what NBC said then:

Mr. Russert told the Special Prosecutor that, at the time of that conversation, he did not know Ms. Plame's name or that she was a CIA operative and that he did not provide that information to Mr. Libby.

Uh huh.  Did Mr. Russert tell Libby that "Wilson's wife is at the CIA"?  No name, no job description or "operative", just the bare outline?   The AP does not seem to know, or care.

But a day later, the AP follows up, crowing that "Blaming Media in Leak Case Not Working" and highlighting problems with Libby's story, including the Russert situation.

But has the AP moved the ball on the Russert question?  Is there even a hint that NBC has given them some fresh insight into Mr. Russert's testimony?

There is not - either NBC is ducking the AP (maybe Tim is saving this breaking news for his own show!), or the AP has not bothered to ask, but today Pete Yost repeats almost verbatim what John Solomon wrote yesterday:

Prosecutors, however, have a different account from Russert. The TV network has said Russert told authorities he did not know about Wilson's wife's identity until it was published and therefore could not have told Libby about it.

The big advance from yesterday?  "The network" has become "The TV network".  Thanks for doing the legwork.

Since getting a fresh quote out of NBC seems to be beyond the capability of these AP reporters, let me suggest a simpler task: per this old Newsday story, Fitzgerald subpoenaed the White House for any information regarding contacts with a list of reporters, including John Solomon of the AP.

Rather than weary himself tracking the evidently-elusive Mr. Russert, perhaps Mr. Solomon could contact himself, and tell us whether he was questioned by Fitzgerald's investigators and whether he cooperated with the investigation.

Or, I suppose they could keep writing "Prosecutors, however, have a different account from Russert" even though it is far from obvious that that is the case.

Comments

[TallDave]

There is not - either NBC is ducking the AP (maybe Tim is saving this breaking news for his own show!)

Maybe Russert is having a Rather moment:

"If it turns out I'm the leaker, I'd like to break that story."

[Keith]

NYTimes: "Mr. Rove and Mr. Libby have been advised that they may be in serious legal jeopardy, the lawyers said, but only this week has Mr. Fitzgerald begun to narrow the possible charges."

Could that mean a target letter? Or, rather, who is doing the advising? Fitzgerald? Or just mysterious advisors?

[clarice]

Heh

The NYT has another surprise package, anonymously sources suggesting that Rove and Libby are in trouble, that the prosecutor will be acting next week (hey, Cassandra!) and that he's focusing on obstruction, etc., not the Agee Act or Chapter 37 of the Espionage Act. Act.http://nytimes.com/2005/10/21/politics/21leak.html? ei=5094&en=0304bde7ed94ce48&hp=&ex=1129867200&adxnnl=1&partner=homepage&adxnnlx=1129861062-+EVGLS4NFPvxVqOx/K84Kg

More baloney from Wilson's pals.
I doubt that either Rove nor Libby nor Fiz have the NYT on speed dial and this is just more supposition based on gossip from inteested parties.

[Keith]

TM:

You have, by far, the best coverage of this entire process from top to bottom. And by the best, I mean the best ANYWHERE. You have run circles around the traditional media, and you have put all other bloggers to shame. Your encyclopedia knowledge off all the little details consistently amazes. You're fair even when doing so leads you to draw conclusions that you'd rather not draw. You take advice, listen to others, and pull the big picture together.

In other words, you're everything the MSM isn't. Thanks for all your work.

[Cheez-Wiz]

Clarice, Libby sure used to have at least Judy of NYT on his speed dial...and she does still work there.

[windansea]

what Keith said

[Will Franklin]

Hmm...

[Sue]

You think the same leaker in Fitzgerald's office who leaked to Judith Miller about the Islamic charity in Richardson Texas leaked again? :)

[clarice]

I love Tom and this site. It's engaging and informative as nothing else is.

[Syl]

"In other words, you're everything the MSM isn't. Thanks for all your work."

I concur!

Thank you, Tom!

[Creepy Dude]

The creeps at Powerlies are now expecting indictments.

This is great; even if Fitzgerald doesn't indict anyone, Powerlies will continue to insist they have been indicted.

[Syl]

"Mr. Rove and Mr. Libby have been advised that they may be in serious legal jeopardy"

I'm sure many advised them of that two years ago.

[Syl]

Including the democrats.

[PaulS]

That AP article is indeed a perfect example of the media's awful reporting on this story.

Quote: "It's going to be as difficult for the defense to prove the theory that the White House got the information from reporters as it is..."

So the White House is just assumed, before a trial, before charges are even issued, to be the "defense" here?

[clarice]

Translation of NYT article: We have no evidence that Rove or Libby have received target letters but some of Wilson's pals, noting the gj is about to expire are suggesting they might be charged with something because it is obvious neither Agee nor Chapter 37 of the Espionage Act are applicable.

[ordi]

Creepy Dude,

If you are speaking of Powerlineblog.com
All they have posted is:

Plame indictments

If what I'm hearing is reliable, expect some soon.
Posted by Paul at 08:21 PM

Plame indictments post at Powerlineblog

Shoot, nothing for anyone to wet their pants over.

[Keith]

Where are these people hearing these rumors from? Fitz hasn't leaked yet. Why start now?

[Cheez-Wiz]

Fitz reports to the DOJ doesn't he? Could leaks be coming from above his level?

[clarice]

I doubt it. The article indicates the sources are lawyers for some of the parties. And those parties aren't Rove or Libby because their lawyers have said nothing.

Perhaps I missed it, but weren't 22 indictments due Wednesday?

[Sue]

Okay, tinfoil hat time. Say I'm a prosecutor and someone in my office is leaking information to a certain reporter, one that has already cost me a case against a terrorist organization, and what if I really, really wanted to find out who that leaker was but a judge wouldn't cooperate and force anyone to show me phone records. Say I plant a couple of false stories to the suspects in my office. Which newspaper runs which story? I know my leaker. :) Okay, tinfoil hat off. Until the actual indictments are announced, I can dream, can't I? :)

[Syl]

"Perhaps I missed it, but weren't 22 indictments due Wednesday?"

Fitz decided to add some more and put them all out at once.

Everyone who has testified or given a deposition is now on the list of indictees.

They all will be indicted for conspiracy to commit gossip.

[ordi]

Clarice,

They were due LAST Wednesday. So much for that rumor mill! LOL

[CaseyL]

Nothing is "due" until Fitzgerald says it is. His only deadline is Oct 28, when the GJ session ends.

He's a careful guy. Over at Jane's and Swopa's place, they've got extra-lovely stories about how Fitzgerald nailed Miller and Libby on their June convos by presenting Miller with OEO sign-in logs and phone records.

[TM]

Thanks for the plaudits, all. But don't overlook the importance of a good comments section and some crystal meth.

Irish, you confuse me - is it "Powerlies", or "PowerTools"? I can't keep up.

I'll say this - *IF* there are to be indictments tomorrow, there will be rumors tonight, since Fitzgerald will have promised to alert key people who don't want to be caught at the golf course or in weekend getaway traffic.

[clarice]

If you all pitch in, I'll slip out of my jammies and head over to the latest all night boite near the WH (Ebbitt Grill ) and live blog away the night.LOL

[CaseyL]

"*IF* there are to be indictments tomorrow, there will be rumors tonight, since Fitzgerald will have promised to alert key people who don't want to be caught at the golf course or in weekend getaway traffic."

...or on their way to the airport to lam it out of the country?

[Syl]

"or on their way to the airport to lam it out of the country?"

Wilson does have that place in Paris.

I know. I know.

[TexasToast]

Clarice

Live blogging in the nude - in a bar?
I thought this was a family place...
silly me