Scott McClellan doubts Karl Rove would testify truthfully

Our colleague Johanna Neuman is keeping an eye on Scott McClellan's testimony today before the House Judiciary Committee, and reports that McClellan was uneasy about I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby's assurance that he had nothing to do with the leaking of Valerie Plame's name as a CIA agent.

McClellan testified that former White House chief of staff Andrew H. Card Jr. asked him to announce that Libby (pictured) wasn't involved, similar to what McClellan had already done on behalf of Karl Rove. "I was reluctant to do it," McClellan said. "I got on the phone with Scooter Libby and asked him point-blank, 'Were you involved in this is any way?' And he assured me in unequivocal terms that he was not."

Libby gave a similar assurance to federal investigators, and eventually was convicted of lying to them.

The committee has also asked Rove to testify about the Plame leak, something McClellan suggested might not be fruitful because he doubted Rove would be truthful about it. "I would hope that he would be willing to do so," McClellan said. "Based on my own experiences, I have some doubts. He lied to me."

-- Scott Martelle

Comments

[eliana]

Since the release of McClellan's memoir, GOP officials have also been asking themselves: what happened? McClellan wasn't like this before. He didn't criticize his party.
Who turned him? And how did they do it? 23/6 collects the most popular theories:

* At a Beltway cocktail party, shortly after a George Will toast, Scott felt dizzy. He woke up in a hospital, where he was horrified to learn that a nuclear bomb has been implanted beneath his ribs. If he returns to his GOP comrades, the bomb will be detonated. Scott's lone hope is to pretend to be a harsh administration critic, buying time until he figures out how to save not only his party, but his country.

* Calling him "Porky," "Lard Pants" and "Comb-Over," a gang of National Public Radio thugs gave Scott a pink belly, stole his White House lunch per diem and plunged his head into a swirling toilet bowl. Humiliated and in tears, he agreed to tell outlandish lies about his best friends.

See more hypotheses here: http://www.236.com/news/2008/06/19/mcclellan_cries_like_a_girl_to_7236.php

[Gaias Child]

WHAT???? Karl Rove untruthful?????? Goodness gracious what is this world coming to.

Isn't he a majorly fundamental born again? Doesn't he consider Satan the Father of Lies?

No, really, Karl Rove's word is his bond. Really.

[Sean]

I doubt Scott McClellan testified truthfully.

[McCain Is Bush]

This current Republican administration may be remembered as the most corrupt in American history. There have been in the past, scandals and there have been impeachments, but never has there been such a pervasive infection of each and every aspect of our government institutions.

This administration seems to be attempting to bring down the government from the inside.

[Democrats 08]

I think it is important that we don't ever forget or lose sight of the fact that Americans don't dislike Bush ONLY because his a self serving liar, but how badly he has DESTROYED our country and our lives. It is very refreshing of course in any event to see one of the Bush loyalists tell the truth for a change and confirm what we already knew. Bush and Cheney MUST be remembered for what they are, lying, scheming, dishonest, greedy, evil and ignorant men who do not deserve to live in America let alone lead us.

[Scott (no relation)]

Americans will be hard-pressed to find a more dishonest little man like George W. Bush. Remember he said he was a uniter - that was false. It was his way or the highway. Remember his vow to get rid of capital gains tax? Ooops, forgot about that one. Teachers have had to dig into their own pocketbooks to pay for his "Every Child Left Behind" bull.
Jeese, where do you start? Where does it all end? Almost EVERY high-level republican is complicit with his deception.
America has wasted 4,000 lives, spent every penny our grand kids have, and we get to pay $4.00 a gallon for gas.
Hope the drug addict chief liar Rush is happy. Hannity also.
Deport Bush to North Korea. They thrive on deception.

[kaye s.]

Scott McCellan's book and testimony just reinforces what the House and the public already knows ... this administration is corrupt and legal action (ie Impeachment and war crime trials) would be in order. When the Downing Street memo was released, the impeachment process should have started then. Why has this administration been allowed to break the laws and ignore our constitution over and over again without any consequences? As it stands, Bush's entire staff could come forward, write books, tell the truth, expose the lies and the crimes, and nothing would be done about it ... amazing!

[Antony Padro]

Oh.... Let me Guess. Rupert Murdoch and Co. will cover the latest exploits of Brittany Spears instead of This groundbreaking news. Keep covering up for your friends you looser. I hope you choke on your money. And to George and company: congradulations for pulling off the greatest robbery in history. Have you and your people masde enough money yet. Let's hear it for thr slimiest administration in history.