Libby Verdict

Of course by now everyone is aware that 'Scooter' Libby was convicted on four of the five counts against him. No news there, but I was reading Mark Kleiman just now and it struck me that the consequences of this verdict may be a great deal greater than has been so far supposed.

The Congressional investigation is now getting underway on the firing of the US Attorneys. Several people have already testified and more people, and people higher up, are being brought to Congress for questioning. While this administration has been well known to date for stonewalling and obstructing any type of oversight or investigation, the Libby verdict can be expected to have some effect. The people, such as Harriet Miers, going up to testify before Congress will be somewhat less willing to shade the truth and obstruct while under oath, having just seen their friend and colleague be convicted in a federal trial of perjury and obstruction of justice. I think we can expect a bit more openness and honesty than would otherwise be the case.