McClellan's testimony leads to dark cloud over White House and possible impeachment hearings.

Here are the highlights, folks!

I.Questioning of the commutation and pardon of Libby

Thinkprogress:

Testifying before Congress today, Scott McClellan said Bush should not pardon Libby:

Mr. Chairman, I believe that it would signal a special treatment, the same thing that happened with the commutation. And the President has always held a certain standard for a granting pardons, even going back to when he was governor, and I worked for him then. And that is, that the person must first repay his debt to his society, and second, must express remorse for the crimes which he committed. And we have seen neither of that from Scooter Libby at this point.

II. Rove lied to protect himself.

From Emptywheel at FDL:

Artur Davis. Davis, who is from Don Siegelman's state, got McClellan to admit that Rove not only would--but has--lied to protect himself from legal jeopardy and political embarrassment.

Artur Davis: Let me circle around a person, Rove. You stated Rove encouraged you to repeat a lie. Indicated you've known him for some time. Committee extended invitation to Rove. I'm willing to talk, only if no oath, no cameras, no notes. Based on what you know does it surprise you that Rove wants limitations on circumstances.

SM: An effort to stonewall the whole process.

Davis: Would you trust Rove to tell the truth if not under oath.

SM: Can't say I would

Davis: Not under oath.

SM: I would hope he would. I'd have concerns about that.

Davis: Did testify before Grand Jury under oath. You don't believe he told the complete truth to the GJ.

SM: I don't know.

Davis: Karl only concerned about protecting himself from possible legal action. Do you believe he is capable of lying to protect himself from legal jeopardy.

SM: He certainly lied to me.

Davis: Do you believe he is capable of lying to protect himself from political embarrassment.

SM: he did in my situation, so the answer is yes. [my emphasis]

III. Possible impeachment hearings.

Rep. Wexler hits home with his questioning of McClellan. Great job by Wexler.


From Raw Story:

Rep. Robert Wexler (D-FL) said that he believed McClellan's testimony implicated both Vice President Dick Cheney and President George W. Bush as the only two administration sources who could have leaked the identity of former CIA covert operative Valerie Plame-Wilson.

"The president and vice president have denied ordering this illegal leak, but logic and the chain of command dictates that it must have been one of them,” said Wexler. "Mr. McClellan, in your book, you state that you cannot believe President Bush authorized the leak of Valerie Plame Wilson's status as a covert agent. ... Who does that leave us? The vice president."

"He is someone that keeps things pretty close to the vest, to say the least," replied McClellan.

"There's a lot of suspicion there, because there's questions that have never been answered, despite the fact that we said we would address these issues." McClellan added. Asked Wexler, "So this suspicion leads you to believe that Vice President Cheney could have authorized Mr. Libby's leak?" McClellan replied, "I can't rule it out."

Wexler stated that the President of the United States had asked Scooter Libby to “stick his neck into a meat grinder” and lie to Special Prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald in order to protect the executive branch. He also cited a note, hand written by Vice President Cheney, which points to collusion on behalf of the executive branch to allow Libby's downfall.

Wexler closed by thundering: "The vice president's own hand betrays him, and implicates the President of the United States and Mr. Libby. These facts in your testimony, Mr. McClellan, are more than enough, in my view, to open up impeachment hearings."