If Ari Fleischer's testimony undermines Libby's defense, is this good or bad?

[Bucky]

I wanna see the culprit go to prison for blowing an agent's cover like that. I don't think Fitz would put Libby on trial just to squeeze a testimony deal against bigger fish. There's got to be some genuine guilt there, but it's clear to me that Libby does think he's being set up and isn't inclined to go quietly. But I also the full stink rooted out. So anything that puts Libby away sooner, I fear, could end up solidifying his fall guy status, and thus help other guilty parties in the executive branch dodge conspiracy charges.

Am I reading this wrong? Because as delighted as I am to think about Ari Fleischer rolling over on Libby, in part because he got spooked about a possible (but utterly improbale) death sentence for this act of treason, I'm fearing that Fleischer's latest testimony will help sink Libby, and thus take pressure off Rove & Cheney.

Footnote: another good sign in this story is that mainstream Washington thinker Steve Clemons is going to Raw Story for his data. I like seeing a DU-friendly news aggregator picking up street cred like that.

[Ian David]

1. Libby AND Cheney AND others HAVE to go to jail over this. n/t

[librechik]

2. Libby is not being charged with the leak. So we have to look for other fish

by squeezing Libby on this other issue.

Have patience grasshopper. All will be revealed.

[DearAbby]

3. Conspiracy is clearly seen

there was an orchestrated effort to leak this information. Libby didn't do it on his own. He may have been the fall guy...but the information that is coming out...screams CONSPIRACY

[lovuian]

4. I'm with ya bro I was expecting Ari to cook cheney

but that didn't happen Wheres the testimony about AirForce One and passing Plames dossier around??? Not happening

[LonelyLRLiberal]

7. I don't think he was asked about those specifics.

I was reading firedoglake's coverage. Fitz is keeping his focus narrow. I keep thinking the same things: "Oh, please, ask this or that. . . " Maybe we'll get more of the story when the Wilsons' civil suit goes to trial.

[BuyingThyme]

5. If you want to keep this thing straight, ignore Woodward and Armitage.

And remember, Fitzgerald admits he has no idea what actually happened, but he knows Libby is among those who kept him from the truth.

[johnnydrama]

6. this case is easy

The case that Libby lied to the grand jury is a simple one. He says he first learned Plame worked for the CIA from Russert.

Multiple, multiple, multiple people have already testified that that is a lie.

[Robbien]

8. True the charge against Libby is that he lied

Fitz has proved many times over Libby has lied.

Libby is trying to claim a defense that if he lied he didn't lie on purpose, he was just too busy and couldn't remember correctly.

Libby proving that is going to be the fun part.

[LonelyLRLiberal]

9. Exactly!

I would be surprised if they had Cheney testify - if he tells the truth (something he is congenitally unable to do) he won't help Libby.

[monmouth]

10. Could it be the Judge laid down some ground rules prior to the start

of the trial and those questions are "out of bound?" Too much L&O for me maybe, but of course, Ari isn't done yet, is he??

[johnnydrama]

11. how do you remember

The funny thing is, his memory excuse is the reason that Dick is getting into hot water, because Fitz has to prove that it was way too important a thing for Libby to forget, and the fact that Dick's number one goal in life for those few weeks was to get back at Joe Wilson is what proves there's no way Libby would forget this.

Plus the fact, that not remembering one thing, doesn't make your mind remember it in a different way.

If i went to the movies yesterday, and the cops come ask me where I was yesterday, it's not faulty memory if I tell them I was at the beach.

Libby is inventing new memories that never happened to try to get by the fact that he lied, but saying that something entirely different from what happened is actually what happened isn't a problem with faulty memory, it's a problem with truth telling.

[lovuian]

12. So is Fitz going to make Libby be the Sacrificial lamb

without getting Rove Ari or Cheney

He will com up with ONE conviction

Got to give Libby credit I'm glad he's bringing them in for questioning

I give Fitz tremendous credit on going after the Niger docs
but really see that a Congressional Investigation is the only way

Maybe Libby will after convicted turn on Cheney

this could be the set up for Congress

But Libby is cooked just wondering about ROVE