Summation of Libby Trial for January 31, 2007

This was a day for the reporters.

Continued testimony: New York Times reporter, Judy Miller

Miller is sure that Libby was the first to tell her that Joseph Wilson's wife worked for the CIA and that it happened on June 23 and again on July 8. And kudos to Fitzgerald for clarifying the date of July 8 with Miller. Miller recalled that date. She can't say with certainty but that's her belief based upon her memory and her notes. Yet, she has no recollection of anyone else telling her. I had to chuckle when Judge Walton asked Miller if she archives her notes in a shopping bag. What kind of reporter keeps his or her notes in a shopping bag? Here is something to ponder: If Libby was so busy with other matters and National Security, than why was he having a two hour meeting during the workday with Judith Miller at the St. Regis on July 8? Very odd since they had several meetings before.

Second testimony: Times reporter, Matthew Cooper

As a reminder, Rove was the source for Cooper.

Cooper claims that Libby had confirmed that Plame worked at the CIA but acknowledged he never asked Libby where he'd heard that. Remember, Libby claims he only told reporters he had heard that information from other reporters.

On the defense side, Jeffress drilled Cooper about Rove. Cooper said Rove told him that Wilson's wife, rather than Cheney, was responsible for sending Wilson to Niger in 2002. Here is Cooper's testimony with Fitzgerald:

Cooper: Libby responded, "Yeah, I've heard that too," or "Yeah, I've heard something like that, too."
Fitzgerald: Did Libby said where he heard that?
Cooper: Not in any way.
Fitzgerald:Did he say he heard it from other reporters?
Cooper: No.

Cooper also said he didn't take any notes on that exchange and that he had questioned to Libby "off the record." Later Cooper said off the record information cannot be attributed to the person but can be used to go get the information from others.

Jeffress drilled Cooper's acknowledgments. He used extensive notes and memos to Time editors as exhibits that Cooper produced after his talk with Rove. Here is this exchange between Cooper and Jeffress:

Jeffress: Ever asked Libby where he'd heard about Wilson's wife?
Cooper: I did not.
Jeffress: how could you take his exchange with Libby as confirmation.
Cooper: I took it as confirmation.
Jeffress: Why didn't you put it in your memo to your editors?
Cooper: I can't explain that. It was late in the day. I didn't write it down, but it is my memory.
Jeffress: If somebody tells you something off the record, do you take it as confirmation?
Cooper: I did in this case. You can use it to go to others and get a more fulsome account that can be printed.

Well, this is looking very bad for the defense and embarrassment to the Administration. Miller's testimony shows that Libby told Miller about Plame prior to Novak's article. Cooper claims that Libby confirmed Plame worked for the CIA yet Libby claims that he heard Plame's name from other reporters. Not good for the Admininstration and not good for the Veep. And the Veep is dragged into the muck in this case and his total involvement in punishing Wilson. More and more is being revealed of the Wilson campaign smear goes back way earlier.