Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Hot on Facebook
Uproar After NC State Agent 'Fixes' Girl's Lunch Preschooler has to eat chicken nuggets instead of mom's meal »

Cheney on Plame Leak: I Can't Recall

VP comes up blank on specifics in newly released interview

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 30, 2009 6:02 PM CDT

(Newser) – After years of effort by the Bush and Obama administrations to keep documents related to the CIA leak case secret, redacted portions of the special prosecutor’s 2004 interview with Dick Cheney released today show plenty of nothing. The then-VP apparently suffered acute memory loss: Cheney told Patrick Fitzgerald he couldn't recall when he learned Valerie Plame was a CIA agent, or telling chief of staff Scooter Libby about it, or telling Libby to leak the info to reporters.

Libby, who was convicted of perjury for his role in the scandal, had used similar language, the Washington Post notes. And Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, the group that sued for the documents' release, hit the roof. "The transcript reveals that Mr. Cheney—generally credited with razor sharp intellect and recall—demonstrated an astonishing inability to recollect even simple facts," CREW said in a statement.

Former Vice President Dick Cheney, and his wife Lynne are seen at the Center For Security Policy dinner at Union Station in Washington, Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2009.
Former Vice President Dick Cheney, and his wife Lynne are seen at the Center For Security Policy dinner at Union Station in Washington, Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2009.   (AP Photo/Harry Hamburg)
Former Vice President Dick Cheney speaks at the Center For Security Policy dinner at Union Station in Washington, Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2009.
Former Vice President Dick Cheney speaks at the Center For Security Policy dinner at Union Station in Washington, Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2009.   (AP Photo/Harry Hamburg)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 49 comments
AdaptAndOvercome
Nov 2, 2009 12:09 PM CST
cheney has a grand case of selective memory. He can't remember crap he started yet he claims to remember stuff that he wasn't suppose to be involved in. This guy is an idiot and he thinks endorsing candidates is gonna get them elected. It would be like Bush endorsing Palin. Who the hell in their right mind would voted for them?
Doctor-Zaius
Nov 1, 2009 12:20 PM CST
Funny, I would think committing treason would stick with you. Perhaps with Dick! it's no biggie.
JonmarkP
Nov 1, 2009 11:11 AM CST
Cheney should be tried for treason and hanged if found guilty. This isn't real complicated.

More Newser Stories

Bush Considered Dumping Cheney in '04

CIA Head Was OK With Destroying Torture Tapes

Shut It, Cheney: White House

Cheney: Obama 'Won't Admit We're at War'

Cheney: Wilson Mission Was CIA 'Amateur Hour'


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne