Cheney Discussed Inquiries Into Plame Leak, Obama Administration Trying To Keep Details Secret

WASHINGTON — Vice President Dick Cheney talked with top White House officials about how to respond to reporters' inquiries into who leaked the identity of a CIA operative, according to a court filing.

Cheney told the FBI about his recollection of discussions with his former top aide, I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, and other White House officials on the media's questions. But the Obama administration is fighting in court to keep the substance of what Cheney revealed to the FBI from the public.

The FBI interviewed Cheney in 2004 as it was investigating the leak of former CIA operative Valerie Plame's identity to reporters the year before. Her name was revealed after her husband, former Ambassador Joseph Wilson, criticized the Bush administration's prewar intelligence on Iraq.

The leak touched off a lengthy inquiry that led to Libby being convicted on charges of obstruction of justice and lying to investigators about his conversations with reporters. Libby told the FBI it was possible that Cheney ordered him to reveal Plame's identity to the media.

The liberal watchdog group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington filed a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit last year seeking records related to Cheney's FBI interview.

In a court filing Wednesday, Acting Assistant Attorney General David Barron argued that parts of Cheney's interview should be kept secret because they involve confidential deliberations among White House officials. Barron said their disclosure could limit frank and open discussion about matters of national importance in the White House in the future.

He said Cheney's recollection of discussions with Libby, the White House communications director and chief of staff about media inquiries into the Plame leak were among those portions that should be protected. He also included Cheney's discussions with the CIA director about Wilson's trip and his role in resolving disputes about declassifying "certain information" in that category.

Barron's filing was first reported Thursday on The Washington Post's Web site.

Comments

[lthuedk 1]

http://www.light-to-dark.com/lets_out_plame.html

That's Air Force One. July 2003. Trip to Africa. On board: Bush, Ari Fleischer, W.H.I.G. members, and Colin Powell. Powell brought a stack of C.I.A. memos that discuss Valerie Plame with him.

The People want to know why Plame was really outed and the damage such an outing did to the C.I.A.'s secret Middle East anti-WMD program; how many assets were killed or never heard from again. The People were simply placed under Cheney and the Neo Cons' protection to advance the PNAC. They, in fact, were the real Boogie Men and Women.

Since sources like Brewster Jennings produced data not supportive of PNAC objectives it would quite logically have to be neutralized. It's a far more convincing motive than only getting back at Joe Wilson, but a massive, motive-deflecting twofer way too perfect to believe. It wasn't just the Yellow Cake fraud that was revealed, but the system of America's real protective network. Neo Cons took it out.

http://www.light-to-dark.com/yellowcake_tango_0.html

[Derelict outlaw]

Absolutely correct and most cogent post on Plame.

Do nay of you know the courage it requires to be a NOC in a foreign country?

No diplomatic passport, no possible access to a state department envoy in the event you are seized imprisoned tortured or disappeared?

The best she might have hoped for after arrest was to be declared PNG and expelled after imprisonment. That's courage.

[Polarcap]

what a load of typically ignor*nt lefty pap - fact free

[sweetsdawsonusn]

You ever thought Obama is trying to keep the lid on this information because it will more harm than Good for our country as whole. Sure i think he needs to go after the guys who screwed up the country, but look what he is up against. Day-in-Day-out, the neo-clowns lie, cheat and provide false information to the public at large. Things will get worst before they get better. The guy has only been on the job for less than 7 months, Bush and company took 8 years to do the USA in. Why were'nt the same people that are complainting now, were complainting then. you cannot run any war on terror withour raising taxes. Also, we as acountry were Bullsh*ted by Bush, Fox, News, GOP, neo-clowns and we fell for it. Now blame the Obama Administration who has been in power for less than 7 months. It is agreat mess to be cleaned up and he needs all of our help. We can do that by calling the so call MSM on the BS that come forth as so call news. Grow up people, we are in a bad situation in the good old USA.
Jobs, Military Stretched Thin, More lies from the GOP getting in the way of any kind of fix. They would rather see this country destroyed than ran correctly by a man that happens to be Black and a Democrate. So much for love of country.

[Derelict outlaw]

I feel you, but I want this man my President to risk it all and everything courageously, and without concern for his next election carpe diem, let the chips fall etc.

It's time for change not the same ol same ol.

He will be beloved and sanctified if he cleans out the temple of idolaters and money changers.

[Polarcap]

and you know all this because...­.? or are you just another pontificating fruitcake lefty windbag? and by the way, Bambam is only half black

[Derelict outlaw]

Dude who really cares in America what a Canadian businessman thinks about our Politics here in the USA?

[annie g]

"For the love of country" is exactly why they should be prosecuted. I do not believe for one minute that we should not go after them simply because we are in a bad situation. Why are we in such a bad way> Because we allowed these so called leaders to destroy what America used to stand for and should never be used as an excuse not to "clean up" the mess we are in. It would only encourage more of the same.

Do you also not realize that by allowing them to get away with this that we will be condoning the murder of over 4,000 of our military and the 31,000 that have been maimed. It was the choice of the Bush Administration to disgrace and ignore our Constitution, inflict pain and suffering on our military familes by starting a war of choice. I for one do not care how long it takes, but anyone that was part of this damaging idealogue in the Bush Administration for the last 8 years should be brought before the American people and prosecuted.
No one (and should not be) above the law.

[naschkatze]

If I remember correctly, these are the papers with which the special prosecutor Fitzgerald said he would have no problem releasing but that the WH would have to sign on. So the argument of some here that releasing them would somehow undermine FBI investigation doesn't hold water.

[Derelict outlaw]

Clearly President Obama's advisors are saying that releasing them would weaken the Vice-Presidents capacity to lie cheat and steal without being prosecuted and the corollary to Nixon is very disturbing to me, many Americans are too young to remember his impeachment.

[naschkatze]

Well, I'm not (too young). We always looked at Watergate as a low point in our history, but now I am beginning to see it as a high point. It proved the law supreme and that no one including the president was above the law. In these times, it's the reverse: they are getting away with it.

[Forester]

At least Americans now know exactly where the evidence for treason by Cheney now resides.

[Polarcap]

where?

[flossophy]

In Forester's distorted mind.

[dennisrs]

Where Forester? Richard Aritage and Colling Powell. That is why BHO is keeping it all under wraps because it leads back to these two first.

[dawnec1957]

To change the subject for a minute....­Palin is on CNN announcing she is giving up her seat as Govenor of Alaska with 18 months remaining on her term......­..........­..........­..........­..........­..........­.....HMmmm­mmm, what did they find out about her now? This does not happen unless someone has found a skelton in her closet!


What a great day for Alaska....­.Now I want to know the Stunning News of "WHY?"

[Derelict outlaw]

Don't care don't care, don't care, don't care....

[Derelict outlaw]

Probably the fact that boy toy Todd was discovered to be member for 7 years of a secessionist movement there in Alaska where she can see Russia from her house?

[dawnec1957]

That fact was out a long time ago.....Ho­wever, perhaps the way McCain/Palin> Repthugs tried to squelsh the fact was not known by many.....

BTW Durelict, your pic is great!

[Derelict outlaw]

AIP

[SouthPrairie]

Hmmmm.....­So if she were President and she got a bee in her bonnet she would just turn the Presidency over to the VP. Great example of administrative leadership. And the funny thing is, it sounded like she was saying that she was trying to save Alaska from HER!! Weird.

So now she is free to men@ce O full time and be the complete media diva that she aspires to be.

[Derelict outlaw]

Want to bet she gets a contract from fake news?

[naschkatze]

There is a thread for that story. Wouldn't your comment be more appropriate there?

[Derelict outlaw]

Nixon said "When the President odes it, it's not illegal" Now Obama's appears to be upholding the principle of executive privilege and saying "If the Vice-President does it, it's not illegal?"

[LCLA]

We heard you the first time. Typos and all.

[ciotog17]

Is it too early to start calling for Obama's impeachment? What was impeachable activity for the goose (Bush) ought to be the same for the gander.

[DimBulb2]

the tinfoil hat must be slipping off

[naschkatze]

Won't happen and would be a complete waste of time. Right now the best thing is fighting Obama in the courts and not going away.

[nippersdad]

I would love to see Republicans calling for Obama's impeachment over his protection of a Republican war criminal with whom they were complicit.­...that would just make my day!

[Derelict outlaw]

Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha

[Polarcap]

not in dem8crap land

[lthuedk 1]

http://www.light-to-dark.com/four_lapel_pins.html

Bring in these witnesses under oath.

[DimBulb2]

People know this world is a wreck
Were sick and tired of being politically correct
I see through it now but I didnt at first
The hipocrites made it worse and worse
Lookin down their noses at what people say
These are just words and words are okay
Its what you do and not what you say
If youre not part of the future then get out of the way

a peaceful world by j mellencamp

[imwiseowl]

Boy there are soooooooo many repugs on here posing as libs.

Go back to FauxNoise

[Derelict outlaw]

I agree but they're easy to spot, they empty bio's that represent accurately their comments.

[SouthPrairie]

...and their heads.

[DimBulb2]

test

[DimBulb2]

People know this world is a wreck
Were sick and tired of being politically correct
I see through it now but I didnt at first
The hypocrites made it worse and worse
Lookin down their noses at what people say
These are just words and words are okay
Its what you do and not what you say
If youre not part of the future then get out of the way

j mellencamp, a peaceful world

[SouthPrairie]

W.a.r. .C.r.i.m.i­.n.a.l.--.­T.r.a.i.t.­o.r.!! The full light of day needs to reveal his i.n.s.i.d.­i.o.u.s. intent; his p.e.r.n.i.­c.i.o.u.s. .p.r.o.f.i­.t.e.e.r.i­.n.g.; his .v.e.n.g.e­.f.u.l. m.a.n.i.p.­u.l.a.t.i.­o.n.s., and the consequences--in .l.i.v.e.s­. .l.o.s.t.-­-.o.f. .h.i.s. .w.a.r. .o.f. .c.h.o.i.c­.e.

I.n.d.i.c.­t.;. .C.o.n.v.i­.c.t.;. .S.e.n.t.e­.n.c.e!

[Polarcap]

you have it bad, don't you? there is treatment available.

[flossophy]

This comment is pending approval and won't be displayed until it is approved.

Y0u s0und like a par0dy of a |eftist n`u`t who got hold of a th3saurus and won't let go.

[Derelict outlaw]

I'm too old to be made so radicalized by the crimes of my government.

It appears to be time for a major change in the government of my country.

[FACTS4All]

The public had been observing for the last 6/7 months that Obama administration is out and out is trying to protect the Nation’s worst criminals Whenever documents concerning inquiries are called for by the court and relevant authorities the administration says releasing of the documents is not possible as it will be national hazard.

When these criminals are, self confessed international liars, international killer of own braves, men and women, these criminals leaked out national top secret information to printing media, the looters of the national wealth, the culprits destroyed the nation’s financial and economical backbone pushing the nation into an unstable state. They also left people in the Administration to protect them. And the congressional representatives are silent. The must say with what intent they are quiet.

Public wants to know what can be more hazardous than the above mentioned facts?

[Derelict outlaw]

The problem and biggest obstacle to integrity appears to be that we didn't CHANGE enough faces yet in the Congress or the MSM.

[SouthPrairie]

Excellent point. If only we could elect our journalists. We should join O.b.a.m.a. and put the msm in their place--SUPPORT ALTERNATIVE NEWS SOURCES!!

I have been doing yard work lately and have decided that American corporate dollars have become the crabgrass of our nation--literally intanging their funds of self interest into every aspect of our nation that is supposed to serve the public.

We need to do some serious weeding and it has to be done carefully or we will be pulling up decent people in our efforts.

Let's pull the self-serving corporate crabgrass out of our nation's political and media structure and support businesses that are good citizens and see the big picture--America's 21st Century future.

[ScooterTwo]

Wouldn't it be great if we saw Obama actually demonstrate that he understands his role in the enforcement of the Laws of this country? He swore an oath to uphold The Constitution -- either he pardon all of them or he investigate all of them -- there is no middle ground. We cannot simply pretend that nothing occurred or that no response is necessary or justified. Lawbreakers should be held accountable. HIS ADMINISTRATION MAKES NO SENSE ON THIS STAND HE HAS TAKEN -- it seems dishonest and cowardly, like nothing will be gained by holding evil doers accountable. ????

[Derelict outlaw]

Right on, Nixon said "When the President odes it, it's not illegal" Now Obama's appears to be upholding the principle of executive privilege and saying "If the Vice-President does it, it's not illegal?"

[naschkatze]

Interesting that you bring up pardoning them. No one raises that specter, but it's a possibility and maybe the last ditch stand.

[norkas]

I was prepared to leave America and close my busienss and operate in amother country had Palin Mc Cain won. I voted for Barak Obama for real change and this disturbs me to no end.

Cheny is a loose cannot that belongs in a Prison if convicted of the lies he presented to Americans. He is the worse of the worse in American history and a coward in my opinion.

Now the Pres of U.S, want tp protect him so if he soes the same the next Pres will protect him. Am i missing something here is so please let me know.

Barak Obama please do yuor homework there were consertive people who served in the second war and vietnam and many of them had children who were serving in the military. Over 3 years ago they were tring to impeach Cheny for his promoting lies about the war and the lack of protecting for our soldiers such as bullet proff vest etc. They hate him and you Barak Obama have decided to protect person who had done America and the world harm.

Wake up Mr. Pres because if you do not this is your last term. I am disgusted by your stance on this subject and hope somone finds me wrong but i doubt it

[John Mahoney]

There are some crimes that, if revealed would radicalize the country and make it ungovernable. I'm okay with a truth commission, but hauling these Republicans before a federal court would be nightmarish. Out the bastards, but don't prosecute.