Tim Russert said today that Lewis Libby called him to complain about a reporter's comments on a cable show. He did not identify the reporter or the show.

In Lewis Libby's indictment, the Government charges:

On or about July 10, 2003, LIBBY spoke to NBC Washington Bureau Chief Tim Russert to complain about press coverage of LIBBY by an MSNBC reporter. LIBBY did not discuss Wilson’s wife with Russert. (page 7, Paragraph 20.)

I think I found the show transcript. It's Hardball for July 8, 2003. The reporter is Chris Matthews. It does sound like something Libby would complain about because Matthews keeps saying that the Vice President's office had the CIA send Joseph Wilson to Niger. I'll bet Libby was steaming. Here's the portion of the transcript (available on lexis.com):

Pete Wilson of NBC reports that Libby's lawyer believes this is a memory case, in other words, how could Libby be expected to remember all these conversations?

Very easily. He took copious notes. The International Herald Tribune February 11, 2004 (available on Lexis.com) reported:

One set of documents that prosecutors repeatedly referred to in their meetings with White House aides are extensive notes compiled by Lewis Libby, Vice President Dick Cheney's chief of staff and national security adviser. Prosecutors have described the notes as "copious," the lawyers said.

Via Kevin Drum, Ryan Lizza of the New Republic says that the Under Secretary of State who told Libby that Joseph Wilson's wife worked for the CIA is Marc Grossman. Lizza says he confirmed this with Fitzgerald's spokesman today.

The Indictment says that the Under Secretary of State told Libby this on June 11 or 12, 2003. It was Grossman who asked for the infamous June 9th State Department memo.

What about Fred Fleitz or David Wurmser?

by TChris

As TalkLeft and its Washington correspondent reported here, Fitzgerald has no authority to write a report.

Whatever we learn from Patrick Fitzgerald will come from court filings, court proceedings, and explanatory press conferences. Responding to an inquiry from Democratic congressmen, Fitzgerald said he lacks the authority to issue a report of his investigation, as did Ken Starr (pursuant to an independent counsel law that has since expired).

Update: Anyone want to take a stab at answering these:

• Did Libby fall on his sword for Cheney? Will he go so far as to take a plea deal to prevent Cheney from being called as a witness in his trial? I don't think he knows the answer yet since he is changing or adding lawyers.
  
• Did everyone else really get a pass or are they still cooperating and moved to Phase Two?

• Is Rove really under investigation or is he just helping them nab others in Phase Two. I think Rove gives them the conspiracy charge they would love to bring. Meaning, Rove sat in on the White House Iraq Group meetings. Is he going to tell Fitzgerald that Hadley, Cheney, Libby and the rest met and decided to use Wilson's wife who worked for the CIA to discredit Wilson and his findings?

I'm still puzzled why the media doesn't seem to understand there is always a grand jury sitting. It's not a question of whether Fitz asks to convene a new one. The question is whether he will ask one of those now sitting to take over the case - and it's pretty clear to me from his press conference today that he will.

by TChris

Somebody shot Barkat Ali, a convenience store owner, in front of his wife. Police developed no leads until two jailhouse snitches, hoping to get their time reduced, claimed they heard Gregory Dunagan bragging about the killing.

When Dunagan went on trial, Ali's wife was asked -- three times -- if she could identify the killer. Each time, she identified someone other than Dunagan. That fact didn't bother the Texas jury that convicted Dunagan, who is now serving a life sentence.

Here is Joseph Wilson's statement on the Indictment. Nothing much there.

Here is Fitzgerald's latest press release (pdf)explaining the Indictment.

Live blogging Fitzgerald's statement:

Valerie Plame's neighbors, friends and classmates had no idea she worked for the CIA. Her cover was blown with Novak's column.

Only Libby was indicted. Does he have a plea deal? Where are the plea agreements Fitz made with the others? He will have a press conference in 15 minutes (2PM ET). Will he discuss them?

Will the investigation be turned over to a new grand jury?

Stay tuned.

Indictment In: Five Counts Against Libby: Obstruction of Justice, Making False Statements and Perjury.

Here is the Text of the Indictment via Smoking Gun. Official version from Fitzgerald which is much easier to read is here (pdf). Libby has resigned.

********
12:38 ET: MSNBC: Court is in session, grand jury is in courtroom. The grand jury foreperson has handed the materials to the judge.

ABC reports Libby's boxes are packed and he will resign after the announcement.

Update: 12:24 ET: MSNBC reports the grand jury is proceeding into the Courtroom.

Live Blogged: Russert speaks. Subpoenaed in May. On August 7, under oath, at his lawyers' office he was asked if he was recipient of leak, said no. Did he know of Valerie Plame's identity. No. Libby called him not to leak info but to complain about something he saw on television. Libby implied to Russert, Cooper and Miller that he was hearing info on Plame for the first time. Obviously the special counsel didn't believe that.

Russert's contact was solely that Libby called to complain about something on the cable news. He reported the call immediately to the head of NBC News. Russert's first learned of Plame when reading Novak's column.

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