Following recess, defense continues to question Addington.
He is asked again about his testimony yesterday about a meeting with Libby concerning the Plame matter. He is then questioned about a declassified document in exhibit that concerns in part the issue of presidential authority to declassify documents. It is another handwritten note from Scooter Libby. It also notes that the “Uranium story is becoming question of presidents trustworthiness & leads all news”¦ Turning to Process: Rove: now they have accepted Joe Wilson as credible expert. We’re 1 day late with getting CIA right response.”
In February 2004, the FBI interviewed Addington. He doesn’t recall if he mentioned Libby having ever spoken about Wilson’s wife or “spouse,” although he has been shown an FBI document about the interview that references such a conversation. Addington says he does not remember what he told the FBI-about a “˜spouse’ or anything else, apparently.
In connection with his review of documents, Addington says he let Alberto Gonzales — then White House counsel to the president, now Attorney General — look at the documents as well before submitting them to the FBI. Does he recall having discussions with Gonzales about how one staffer should not be protected while another is sacrificed?
This is clearly a reference to the defense’s surprising opening statement to the effect that Scooter Libby was being sacrificed to protect White House political adviser Karl Rove”¦
An exhibit is offered of a document that Addington reviewed and may have discussed with Gonzales. The top half of the document appears to be in Libby’s handwriting — but the bottom half seems to be that of Vice President Cheney.
“Not going to protect one staffer and sacrifice the guy (“˜this pres’-apparently crossed out by VP Cheney) that was asked to stick his neck in the meat grinder because of the incompetence of others.”
The note then goes on to read, “People have made too much of the difference of how I described Karl and Libby”¦I’ve talked to Libby.
I’ve said it was ridiculous about Karl and it is ridiculous about Libby. Libby was not the source of the Novak story. And he did not leak classified information.”
White House press spokesman Scott McClellan exonerated Karl Rove publicly — but not Libby. Cheney pushed for equal treatment for Libby. When Addington asked communications chief Dan Bartlett why his office was doing this, Bartlett told him “˜your boss’ wanted it done — meaning VP Cheney. Addington felt no one should be commenting about a criminal investigation.
Exhibit of document dated Oct 3, 2003. In cover letter, Addington says he is sending eleven pages to Justice investigator Bruce Swartz. The documents concern among other matters information about contacts with reporters about Wilson’s trip to Niger and his wife Valerie Plame, as well as about Karl Rove and reporter Timothy Phelps and Robert Novak.
Another document is discussed — sent to Alberto Gonzales by Asssitant Attorney General Wray — dated September 30, 2003. It references articles by Novak (Chicago Sun Times 7.14.03, the original Novak column outing Valerie Plame as a CIA operative) and Phelps (Newsday, 7.22.03). It is seeking documents concerning possible release of unauthorized classified information. The request for documents in this case is broader than the FBI document request made earlier. There is also an October 3, 2003 letter addressed to the president’s deputy counsel.
The document details are difficult to follow, frankly, and it is not clear where the defense is trying to go with this line of questioning at the moment. We’ll have to slog through it and see”¦
