From Editor & Publisher:
NEW YORK One of the most highly awaited moments in the "CIA Leak" trial in Washington, D.C. arrived this afternoon just before 2:30 when NBC's Tim Russert finally took the stand, after discarding crutches (he broke his ankle not long ago).
Almost immediately, prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald asked about how he learned Valerie Plame's name and when. Russert said that, indeed, he did talk to I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby in early July 2003, but he did not -- contrary to Libby's claims -- mention Plame to Libby in this July 8 conversation. Libby, he said, had called to complain about attacks on him on the NBC show, "Hardball." Russert told him he could not do anything about that.
Russert then said that he first heard about Plame in the Robert Novak column about a week later, on July 14, and it was news to him, and to others in office. He then said he had fought a subpoena to testify originally.
Now Russert said it was "impossible" that he talked about Plame with Libby "because I did not know who that person was until several days later." He said that if Libby had told him about Plame, "I would have asked him how he knew that, why he knew that, what is the relevance of that. And since a national security issue, my superiors (would) try to pursue it."
Russert added that there would be some question whether they could broadcast the information, "because that would be a significant story."
The direct examination wrapped up quickly, and then the defense questioning began with queries about how well Russert knew Libby and if their phone chat was confidential or not.
Libby's attorney, Ted Wells, repeatedly probed why Russert did not, as he testified, take the opportunity to ask Libby about Wilson at all at this time. Russert explained that this was basically a "complaint" call and it wasn't the time or place for it, and he really did not have the opportunity. He said it was rare to get this type of harangue from a top official.
He also said he was certain he did not mention Plame in that call and was surprised to hear about it six days later after the Novak column. The defense was clearly trying to suggest that Russert, like Libby, simply forgot he had heard name before when Novak column came out. Russert denied this.
NEW YORK One of the most highly awaited moments in the "CIA Leak" trial in Washington, D.C. arrived this afternoon just before 2:30 when NBC's Tim Russert finally took the stand, after discarding crutches (he broke his ankle not long ago).
Almost immediately, prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald asked about how he learned Valerie Plame's name and when. Russert said that, indeed, he did talk to I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby in early July 2003, but he did not -- contrary to Libby's claims -- mention Plame to Libby in this July 8 conversation. Libby, he said, had called to complain about attacks on him on the NBC show, "Hardball." Russert told him he could not do anything about that.
Russert then said that he first heard about Plame in the Robert Novak column about a week later, on July 14, and it was news to him, and to others in office. He then said he had fought a subpoena to testify originally.
Now Russert said it was "impossible" that he talked about Plame with Libby "because I did not know who that person was until several days later." He said that if Libby had told him about Plame, "I would have asked him how he knew that, why he knew that, what is the relevance of that. And since a national security issue, my superiors (would) try to pursue it."
Russert added that there would be some question whether they could broadcast the information, "because that would be a significant story."
The direct examination wrapped up quickly, and then the defense questioning began with queries about how well Russert knew Libby and if their phone chat was confidential or not.
Libby's attorney, Ted Wells, repeatedly probed why Russert did not, as he testified, take the opportunity to ask Libby about Wilson at all at this time. Russert explained that this was basically a "complaint" call and it wasn't the time or place for it, and he really did not have the opportunity. He said it was rare to get this type of harangue from a top official.
He also said he was certain he did not mention Plame in that call and was surprised to hear about it six days later after the Novak column. The defense was clearly trying to suggest that Russert, like Libby, simply forgot he had heard name before when Novak column came out. Russert denied this.
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posted by Dan at 8:10 PM
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