David Corn: 3 scenarios that could explain Rove's rush to the grand jury

[highplainsdem]

http://www.thenation.com/blogs/capitalgames?bid=3&pid=27458



Rove Scandal: Karl Returns to the CIA Leak Grand Jury

David Corn

The Nation


<snip>

While more news about Rove's pending testimony to the grand jury may leak out--Michael Isikoff, where are you?--today's revelation does give speculators and analysts much to chew on. The key question is whether there is any way to spin this news in a positive direction for Rove. So far, the lawyers and others I have spoken and corresponded with concur: no.

No lawyer would send a client in front of a grand jury unless he or she had to. This is an "extreme and desperate act," said one attorney I consulted. It's important to note that the AP story says that Rove requested the chance to talk to the grand jury in July. It does not say when in July this occurred. But it was on July 13 that Matt Cooper testified to the grand jury and said that Rove had told him that former ambassador Joseph Wilson's wife worked at the CIA. (A Cooper email to his editors confirmed this.) Did Cooper's testimony contradict Rove's? (Perhaps Rove had previously told Fitzgerald he had not spoken to Cooper about Valerie Wilson.) If so, Rove would have a pressing need to engage in testimony rehabilitation.

<snip>

As one lawyer pointed out to me, Rove's attempted rush to the grand jury room could be explained by three scenarios. Rove wanted to try to spin away the contradiction and explain what the meaning of "is" is. ("In my previous testimony, I said I never mentioned Valerie Wilson's name to any reporter. That is true. I never said I didn't talk about 'Wilson's wife.'") Or he's looking to cut a deal: agree that--due to faulty memory--he accidentally misstated his previous testimony and he's willing to accept a minor infraction in exchange for more accurate testimony. Prosecutors do occasionally run "blue plate" specials: come in now, tell all, and it won't be so bad. Has Rove's number been called in that fashion. Or there's this possibility: some other Bush official--the Vice President?--has given testimony that poses problems for Rove. My hunch is that the fact that Rove's request happened in the same month Cooper testified is telling.

In the meantime, the signs are that Rove is indeed a target of the investigation, since Fitzgerald would not declare he is not. Rove's attorney, Robert Luskin, who has made false statements previously, yesterday issued a no-comment when asked if Rove was a target. But today he subtly shifted his position and claimed that Rove had not received a letter from Fitzgerald informing him he is a target. One lawyer I chatted with says that the absence of such a letter at this point in the investigation does not mean much. Rove could be a target without having received a letter.

<snip>

[Jackpine Radical]

1. Cheney TESTIFIED??

Or there's this possibility: some other Bush official--the Vice President?--has given testimony that poses problems for Rove.

"Testimony" means Under Oath. When dd that happen?

[Oilwellian]

3. You don't remember?

Bush and Cheney had to hire criminal attorneys to help them through their testimony to the grand jury. :D

[Jackpine Radical]

4. But I didn't think they were under oath.

[GreenPartyVoter]

7. We don't testify.. we'll visit with them (the grand jury) but we don't

testify. (paraphrasing of **)

[Stephanie]

9. I think that quote was WRT to 9/11

but I know he did hire a criminal attorney for his depo with Fitz

___________

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=1098831

"RUSSERT: Will you testify before the commission?

BUSH: This commission? You know, I don't testify. I mean, I will be glad to visit with them. I will be glad to share with them knowledge. I will be glad to make recommendations, if they ask for some."

[GreenPartyVoter]

10. Yeah, you're right. That's when he said it. But I bet he feels that

way about _every_ crime he's committed.

[shraby]

6. Both Cheney and Bush testified a long time ago

each had a lawyer present, but I don't think it was under oath.

[FreedomAngel82]

8. Aren't they always under oath though??

Since the swearing in?

[spindrifter]

2. It might be more accurate

to say that the P cannot ethically call in someone he believes/knows he will indict w/o giving him his letter saying whatever he says in the GJ proceedings can be used against him. If Rove was hot to testify voluntarily back in July, it looks as though Fitzg. held off to line up the Miller testimony--and he did contact R*ve after he had that. Waiting allows the Prosecutor to maximize his opportunity with the volunary witness.

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

5. Give Rove a T-shirt with "Wilson's Wife" on it, send him to Cell Block 4

"Wilson's Wife"...hell, NO ONE would ever decipher THAT one.

:grr:

[chat_noir]

11. Alberto Gonzales testified as well

Transcript: AG Alberto Gonzales on 'FOX News Sunday'
Sunday, July 24, 2005

HUME: Let me turn if I can to the so-called Karl Rove (search) investigation. Obviously, this is a Valerie Plame (search) CIA leak investigation. You were in the White House as counsel at the time that investigation was initiated. Have you been asked to testify in this case?

GONZALES: I was asked to testify. This was over a year ago. I did testify before the grand jury, yes.

HUME: And can you tell us if you at any time were aware of Valerie Plame either by name or by identification with Joseph Wilson, were you aware that she was in the CIA. If you were, did you have an idea of what kind of work she was doing?

GONZALES: Well, let me begin by answering that question by saying, Brit, that I am recused from this investigation...

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,163494,00.html

[boston bean]

13. he's in on it, using that lame old excuse that I knew about it

when it hit the press.

what a lying sack of sh*t.

[symbolman]

12. Bush Spent two hours in the Oval Office

with Patrick Fitzgerald.. pretty sure he was flooding his Depends the whole time, as Cheney was not there to hold his hand :)


I've got the story on Takebackthemedia.com, researched all this for a year..

http://www.takebackthemedia.com