Fox's Smith announced Plame lawsuit by uncritically airing Novak's dubious denial of a "concerted" Bush administration effort against Wilson
SUMMARY: In announcing that Joseph Wilson and Valerie Plame had filed a lawsuit against Dick Cheney, I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, and Karl Rove, Fox News host Shepard Smith uncritically stated that Robert Novak "was on this network yesterday saying there was no concerted campaign to out Plame as a way of punishing her husband." But Smith omitted special counsel Patrick J. Fitzgerald's findings that a "concerted action" by "multiple people in the White House" had been intended to "discredit, punish or seek revenge against" Wilson.
As Fox News host Shepard Smith announced that former ambassador Joseph C. Wilson IV and his wife, ex-CIA officer Valerie Plame, have filed a lawsuit against Vice President Dick Cheney, Cheney's former chief of staff I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, and White House senior adviser Karl Rove, Smith uncritically stated that Fox News analyst and syndicated columnist Robert D. Novak "was on this network yesterday saying there was no concerted campaign to out Plame as a way of punishing her husband." Smith made the statement on the July 13 edition of Fox News' Studio B with Shepard Smith. In the lawsuit, Wilson and Plame accuse Cheney, Rove, and Libby of leaking Plame's identity as a CIA operative and effectively ending her career. Wilson and Plame contend that the three were retaliating against Wilson for criticizing the administration's justifications for invading Iraq. But Smith did not report that -- contrary to Novak's assertion that there was no "concerted campaign to out Plame as a way of punishing her husband" -- special counsel Patrick J. Fitzgerald has, in court filings, asserted the existence of a "concerted action" by "multiple people in the White House" to "discredit, punish or seek revenge against" Wilson, as Media Matters has noted.
From the July 13 edition of Fox News' Studio B with Shepard Smith:
SMITH: There is breaking news now on Fox News Channel. And the former CIA officer whose identity was linked [sic: leaked] to reporters has just filed a lawsuit against Vice President Dick Cheney, along with his former top aide, Scooter Libby, and the presidential adviser Karl Rove. She is accusing them and other White House officials of conspiring to destroy her career. It's a lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court. Valerie Plame and her husband, Joe Wilson, a former U.S. ambassador, are accusing Cheney, Rove, and Libby of revealing Plame's CIA identity and seeking revenge against Wilson for criticizing the Bush administration's motives in Iraq. Columnist Bob Novak, who is a Fox News contributor, was on this network yesterday saying there was no concerted campaign to out Plame as a way of punishing her husband, Joe Wilson, but that is the news, as it is breaking now. Valerie Plame suing the vice president of the United States in addition to his top adviser and Karl Rove.
They destroyed this woman's CIA career. These guys need to learn that they can't keep INTENTIONALLY destroying people's lives for political pay back. They need to be taught a lesson. As soon as Rove realized he had dodged a criminal indictment he was right back to his usual cut throat no holds barred antics.
That is great news. In COURT Cheney, Rove and Libby won't be able to use their spinmeisters and paid mouthpieces to defend them. In COURT they will be under oath and must tell the truth or risk perjury charges. It's about time these people started getting sued for their despicable behavior. Michelle Malkin and Mary Matalin can spin and cry on TV all they want, but the JUDGE won't care. I hope Plame is able to stay with the defendants financially, as you can bet Richard Mellon Scaife and the Coors Foundation will be backing their boys at all costs to keep this from going to court.
to get to the bottom of this situation (as much as I dislike the overuse of law suits in a lot of cases). The truth will come out. And I'm sure there will be plenty of donors to offset Scaife, Coors, such as Soros, Moore, Baldwin, Streisand, etc.
If Fitz isn't going after Rove and Cheney then I'm all for Plame picking up the torch...they did something that potentially could have cost lives just to protect the elections...I'd have to say that's suit worthy
As previous noted comments has stated, the truth will be front and center without the spin. However, there will be no shortage of spin from CNN, MSNBC, and Fox; these news outlets are committed to their lies and will defend them even in the face of sworn truths coming out of courts. The Left needs more organizations committed to the objective news reporting associated with "fair and balanced" standards. If I had the start up money, I could make millions just telling the truth with unbiased standards.
Joseph
the expert on the entire case according to the right wing. the fact he's a bush shill has nothing to do with it.
This should be at the very least, very entertaining. It should be noted that while Plame and Wilson have every right to sue, Cheney, Rove and Libby also have the right to a vigorous defense. There will be so much legal wrangling over the discovery process that I doubt very seriously that this case will make much headway at all for at least a couple of years as rulings are appealed back and forth and will probably grow tiresome to the American people, although that is only my personal speculation. Lawyers will get RICH! It's interesting that to this point NO ONE that I am aware of, Cooper, Miller, Woodward or Novak have indicated even the remotest allegation of any conspiracy to out Plame and the findings of Fitzgerald seem to work to the advantage of defendents. Indeed, if I recall correctly, didn't Miller state that the fact that Plame worked for the CIA was common knowledge in Washington? In anything, it should sure provide for a lot of back and forth around here anyway!! Buckle up kiddo's, here we go! What a country!!
So what? Are the merits of the action dependent on public opinion? You seem to be more interested in - even worried about - the political ramifications of this than the real harm that was done to Ms Plame.
By the way, the burden of proof in a civil case is far less than in a criminal case. Fitzgerald may not (yet) be able to prove an unlawful disclosure of classified information, thanks in part to the obstruction of the perpetrators. However, Plame's lawyers don't need to demonstrate a criminal violation in order to succeed.
By the way, have you even read the plaintiff's complaint? [link to msnbcmedia.msn.com]