Libby: Leftly Leaning - Tuesday, January 30th

Chillin' at The Coffee House, Larry Johnson [1] recognizes a scene from L.A. Confidential [2] unfolding in the courtroom. The difference? “Danny DeVito played a scumbag, but Scooter Libby really is one.”

BooMan presents an argument that either Fleischer perjured himself [3], or Time Magazine’s John Dickerson has a serious combustion problem in his pants.

Comparing Dickerson’s account with testimony thus far, BTC News quips that “in any contest between a White House press secretary and an organically grown human, you simply have to side with your own species [4].”

Over at AmericaBlog, Joe wags a finger of shame [5] at the Washington press corps for allowing themselves to be so easily manipulated [6].

After the dust settles and the lights go down on the Libby trial, Wendy at Creative Ink wonders how Washington journalism will emerge [7] from the ordeal.

Noting that the trial’s outcome will have no bearing on Libby’s culpability in the run-up to war, TAP stresses the importance of ensuring that the architects are not allowed to cause further damage [8] as they careen “from crisis to crisis, disaster to disaster.”

With a choice seat behind the defendant, Jeralyn at TalkLeft shares impressions [9] of her first day in the courtroom.

Posting at the Daily Kos, emptywheel offers some speculation on the “Big Four” witnesses: Libby, Cheney, Rove, and Bartlett [10]. Also on DKos, TravelerDiogenes poses the question, “[is] Libby now legally liable for outing Plame [11]?”

Looking to the other side of the pond, FDL offers an interesting and detailed parsing of Blair’s role [12] in the African uranium scandal.

Justin at Imago viva dei describes the Libby trial as one front in a “perfect storm [13]” destined to excise Cheney from the OVP.

And finally, let’s all extend a hearty welcome to Clarice Feldman of JustOneMinute [14] who will be blogging from the courthouse today. Clarice’s experience as an attorney should make for some insightful analysis.

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