GOP Responds to Indictment

Rep. Jack Kingston (R-GA), vice-chairman of the House Republican Conference, and Vice President Dick Cheney have both put out press releases on today's indictment of Scooter Libby.

They both note the distinction between an indictment and a finding of guilt.

KINGSTON STATEMENT ON INDICTMENT, RESIGNATION OF I. LEWIS LIBBY

WARNER ROBINS, GA-U.S. Representative Jack Kingston (R-GA), the vice-chairman of the House Republican Conference, released the following statement while aboard Air Force II with Vice President Dick Cheney in Warner Robins, GA:

"Mr. Libby's resignation is appropriate. The court can now decide the facts of the case. An indictment is not a statement of guilt, but simply outlines the case for the prosecutor. Keep in mind that we have not heard Mr. Libby's side of this story.

"Furthermore, the Vice President and the White House can now move forward. The Vice President has a capable staff of professionals that will step up to the plate.

"It's significant that the indictment does not mention the outing of Valerie Plame. It appears that after two years of investigation, Mr. Fitzgerald does not agree with the administration's critics that her situation is what this is all about."

Release from the Office of the Vice President

For Immediate Release                      October 28, 2005

STATEMENT BY THE VICE PRESIDENT

Mr. Libby has informed me that he is resigning to fight the charges brought against him.  I have accepted his decision with deep regret.

Scooter Libby is one of the most capable and talented individuals I have ever known.  He has given many years of his life to public service and has served our nation tirelessly and with great distinction.

In our system of government an accused person is presumed innocent until a contrary finding is made by a jury after an opportunity to answer the charges and a full airing of the facts.  Mr. Libby is entitled to that opportunity.

Because this is a pending legal proceeding, in fairness to all those involved, it would be inappropriate for me to comment on the charges or on any facts relating to the proceeding.

Lorie Byrd over at PoliPundit makes an interesting point.

Ken Starr was said to be an overly zealous prosecutor, hell bent on taking down Bill Clinton, but even after proving (with DNA evidence, no less) that Bill Clinton lied under oath, Bill Clinton was not indicted. There was much evidence of other possible crimes commited by Bill and Hillary Clinton uncovered during the Whitewater investigation, yet neither were indicted.

...

If Starr had used the same standard as Fitzgerald, I don’t believe Hillary would be serving in the Senate today, and Bill Clinton would not be traveling the world trying to rewrite his legacy.