November 3, 2005

ALL YOU GOT ME FOR FITZMAS WAS A SCOOTER?:

A crushing disappointment for the Dems (Byron York, 11/03/05, The Hill)

In the days leading up to CIA-leak prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald’s announcement of his decision to indict the now-former vice presidential chief of staff, Lewis Libby, on perjury, obstruction and false-statements charges, the sense of anticipation among some Democrats was almost overpowering.

The president’s adversaries were hoping for very, very big things. “At least three high-level Bush-administration personnel indicted and possibly one or more very high-level unindicted co-conspirators,” predicted former Democratic Hill aide-turned-Hollywood type Lawrence O’Donnell.

There was also talk of some sort of far-reaching conspiracy indictment, in which Vice President Cheney, Libby, presidential political adviser Karl Rove and maybe others would be charged in a scheme to lie the United States into war in Iraq.

So you can imagine the crushing disappointment felt in some Democratic hearts when Fitzgerald took to the podium at the Justice Department to announce that just one person had been indicted.


At least Judge Walsh had the kindness of heart to hand down bogus indictments of big names, even after determing the Bolland Amendment was anticonstiutional.

Posted by Orrin Judd at November 3, 2005 8:41 PM
Comments

Watergate investigation leading to the resignation of RM Nixon... started with just a few indictments too.

Not trying to speak for any particular party; but, these investigations of high officials that hide behind walls of silence have got to start somewhere, right?

Posted by: oldkayaker at November 3, 2005 9:31 PM

So, If Cheney and Bush are forced to resign (as some folks are fervently hoping) and Delay is sent to the pokey (as some other folks are fervently hoping) who's next in the succession list? Or is it Frist who's after Cheney? However it works, I don't think Ralph Nader or John Kerry are in line so I don't know what the people who are praying for this to be Watergate II are getting so moist about. It will still be a Republican administration.

Posted by: Bryan at November 3, 2005 9:42 PM

i notice that all the voter fraud the dems have been committing doesn't seem to bother you any, old comrade.

Posted by: rm nixon at November 3, 2005 9:45 PM

Bryan - I believe it goes VP, then Speaker of the House, then Secretary of State, and then the Cabinet officers in some order (I remember discussion on where the new Homeland Director fit in the succession order when it was formed). So it's Hastert and then Rice.

Posted by: AWW at November 3, 2005 10:44 PM

I believe that it is VP, then Speaker, then President Pro Tem of the Senate, and then the Cabinet offices in the order in which they were established.

Posted by: David Cohen at November 3, 2005 10:55 PM

Of course, if Libby works out a plea deal for some punishment, and there's no trial where Cheney has to testify, three-quarters of the Democratic Party is going to plotz right on the spot.

Posted by: John at November 3, 2005 11:19 PM

And when Andrea Mitchell testifies that she knows at least 10, 20, 30, maybe 40 reporters who knew the name and occupation of Valerie Wilson, it's going to be very difficult for the jury to conclude that Scooter ran around town spilling the secret and then lying about it to reporters.

Even Hugh Sidey (who must be semi-retired by now) knew who and what she was. If the case against Libby comes down to his word against Tim Russert's, well, even a D.C. jury is going to have to pass on that one.

But the left will cling to its myths like Mary Mapes (and Dan Rather).

Meanwhile, can Larry O'Donnell be indicted for plain old bungholishness?

Posted by: jim hamlen at November 3, 2005 11:29 PM

It's War before State, recall the Al Haig kerfuffle.

Posted by: oj at November 4, 2005 6:40 AM

Full list here

VP, Speaker, Senate President pro tem, Sec State, Treasury, Defense....

Posted by: The Other Brother [TypeKey Profile Page] at November 4, 2005 6:50 AM

Or maybe it's not...Does Sec Def take command authority in a crisis?

Posted by: oj at November 4, 2005 7:01 AM

If I were sure Rumsfeld would be prez and Rice veep, I'd say go for it. Let both Bush and Cheney resign and we'll see how many heads explode. Perhaps enough to power DC for a fortnight at least.

We have a long bench, so bring it on. Do your worst.

Posted by: tefta at November 4, 2005 7:40 AM

Tefta, they are doing their worst. Can't you tell?

Posted by: Mikey at November 4, 2005 7:48 AM
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