Wells asks various questions establishing that Russert is a big cheese at NBC — Fitz objects, and it's sustained,when Wells asks if Russert is paid more than $5 million/year.)
(Wells then goes through several quotes from Russert — books, interviews — on his approach to journalism, always aggressive, always seeking information)
W: When you returned from vacation, Niger/uranium story was big, right?
T: Yes.
W: You understand that OVP and VP himself were part of the story, right?
W: You saw Wilson on MTP, even on vacation, right?
T: Yes.
W: How did Wilson come to appear?
T: Producer saw op-ed on advance wire, invited him to appear.
W: Is this typical?
T: Wasn't my decision.
W: Is it what you do?
T: Not usually, don't have time.
W: You didn't ask Libby any questions about Wilson when you had him on the phone?
T: That's right.
W: You had the chief of staff of the VP on the phone, and
T: It was very much a listening mode — he was very agitated, not in the mood to talk.
W: But you didn't take the opportunity?
T: He was saying VP wasn't involved, I took what he said in the spirit he was offering it.
W: Weren't people at NBC trying to learn about Wilson trip?
T; Yes, they were.
W: Why didn't you ask chief of staff of VP?
T: Didn't have opportunity.
W: Why not?
T: Was complaining about program I hadn't seen, so I did
W: Wouldn't have been natural for you to ask, though?
T: Wasn't a natural phone call. Never had one like that from such a high official, complaining and agitated.
W: But such an aggressive journalist, such a big story
T: What I said is what happened.
W: Do you have a present recollection of not discussing Wilson's wife, are you just reasoning backwards from the fact that you did not know about her until Novak's column.
T: I have no recollection, but it would have been impossible.
It's 3:02pm ET.
(Wells then goes through several quotes from Russert — books, interviews — on his approach to journalism, always aggressive, always seeking information)
W: When you returned from vacation, Niger/uranium story was big, right?
T: Yes.
W: You understand that OVP and VP himself were part of the story, right?
W: You saw Wilson on MTP, even on vacation, right?
T: Yes.
W: How did Wilson come to appear?
T: Producer saw op-ed on advance wire, invited him to appear.
W: Is this typical?
T: Wasn't my decision.
W: Is it what you do?
T: Not usually, don't have time.
W: You didn't ask Libby any questions about Wilson when you had him on the phone?
T: That's right.
W: You had the chief of staff of the VP on the phone, and
T: It was very much a listening mode — he was very agitated, not in the mood to talk.
W: But you didn't take the opportunity?
T: He was saying VP wasn't involved, I took what he said in the spirit he was offering it.
W: Weren't people at NBC trying to learn about Wilson trip?
T; Yes, they were.
W: Why didn't you ask chief of staff of VP?
T: Didn't have opportunity.
W: Why not?
T: Was complaining about program I hadn't seen, so I did
W: Wouldn't have been natural for you to ask, though?
T: Wasn't a natural phone call. Never had one like that from such a high official, complaining and agitated.
W: But such an aggressive journalist, such a big story
T: What I said is what happened.
W: Do you have a present recollection of not discussing Wilson's wife, are you just reasoning backwards from the fact that you did not know about her until Novak's column.
T: I have no recollection, but it would have been impossible.
It's 3:02pm ET.
More on Timmy's testimony.
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