The Count Emerges From The Crypt

by digby

Be sure to check in at FDL. Emptywheel is liveblogging the Robert Novak testimony. Here’s a little tid bit that jumped out at me:

[Libby defense attorney] Wells: How did you come to be working on Wilson column

RN: Previous Sunday, alleged attempt by Iraq to buy yellowcake from Niger, he had written op-ed, he was on MTP, I happened to be on roundtable and came in contact with him, had been interested in story, became more interested in it, and whether Pres had ignored report in opting for invasion of Iraq.

Later this:

Fitz: First meeting with Wilson

RN On MTP. The day of his op-ed.

F: You did not become fast friends.

RN: We did not exchange words. Most people in the green room quietly read. He was giving his opinion at some length about how things were done in the Clinton NSC, in a very loud voice, I thought that was an obnoxious performance.

F: Did you share that experience with Rove that week.

RN: I might have.

Far be for me to infer that Novak and Rove might have colluded. (And it doesn’t appear to be a crime, if they did.) But it should be a political scandal that ruins Bob Novak’s “reputation” as any sort of reliable journalist.

Remember this article in the LA Times?

In one White House conversation, investigators have learned, Rove was asked why he was focused so intently on discrediting the former diplomat.

“He’s a Democrat,” Rove said, citing Wilson’s campaign contributions. By that time, Wilson had begun advising Sen. John F. Kerry’s presidential campaign.

Let’s not forget the Rove dimension in all this. He may not have committed a crime because he may not have known that Plame was undercover. And Fitzgerald ultimately decided that he couldn’t prove lied under oath. But he most certainly was in on the smear job with Cheney and his motive wasn’t even covering his own ass. His motive was simple character assasination of a Democrat. It’s what he does.

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