George W. Bush, 2000 RNC Convention:
This is the vision of America's founders. . . .
Their highest hope, as Robert Frost described it, was to occupy the land with character.
And that, 13 generations later, is still our goal, to occupy the land with character. . . .
And our nation's leaders [are] responsible to confront problems, not pass them onto others.
And to lead this nation to a responsibility era, that president himself must be responsible.
So when I put my hand on the Bible, I will swear to not only uphold the laws of our land, I will swear to uphold the honor and dignity of the office to which I have been elected, so help me God.
Bush, continued:
I believe true leadership is a process of addition, not an act of division.
I will not attack a part of this country because I want to lead the whole of it. . . .
After all of the shouting and all of the scandal, after all the bitterness and broken faith, we can begin again. . . .
Our country is ready for high standards and new leaders, and it won't be long now.
An era of tarnished ideals is giving way to a responsibility era, and it won't be long now.
Dick Cheney, 2000 RNC Convention:
I was there on August 9, 1974, when Gerald Ford assumed the presidency during the gravest constitutional crisis since the Civil War. I saw how character and decency can dignify a great office and unite a great nation. . . .
I know what it takes. And I see in our nominee the qualities of mind and spirit our nation needs and our history demands. . . .
We can restore the ideals of honesty and honor that must be a part of our national life if our children are to thrive.
George W. Bush will repair what has been damaged. He's a man without pretense, without cynicism, a man of principle, a man of honor. On the first hour of the first day, he will restore decency and integrity to the Oval Office.
He will show us that national leaders can be true to their word and that they can get things done by reaching across the aisle and working with political opponents in good faith and common purpose. . . .
He brings people together, reaching across party lines to do the people's business.
He leads by conviction, not calculation.
You will never see him pointing the finger of blame for failure; you will only see him sharing the credit for success. . . .
They will offer more lectures and legalisms and carefully worded denials.
We offer another way, a better way and a stiff dose of truth. . . .
There will be no more spreading of fear and panic, no more dividing of generations against one another, no more delaying and excuse making and shirking of our duties to the elderly.
George W. Bush and I, with a united Congress, will save Social Security. . . .
Soon our men and women in uniform will once again have a commander-in-chief they can respect... a commander-in-chief who understands their mission and restores their morale.
This is a great country, ladies and gentlemen, and it deserves great leadership. Let us go forth from this hall in confidence and courage, committed to restoring decency and honor to our republic.
Indictment against I Lewis Libby:
Beginning on or about January 20, 2001, and continuing through the date of this indictment, defendant I. LEWIS LIBBY, also known as "SCOOTER LIBBY," was employed as Assistant to the President of the United States, Chief of Staff to the Vice President of the United States, and Assistant to the Vice President for National Security Affairs. . . .
On or about June 12, 2003, LIBBY was advised by the Vice President of the United States that Wilson's wife worked at the Central Intelligence Agency in the Counterproliferation Division. . . .
On or about June 23, 2003, LIBBY met with New York Times reporter Judith Miller. . . .
In discussing the CIA's handling of Wilson's trip to Niger, LIBBY informed her that Wilson's wife might work at a bureau of the CIA. . . .
On or about the morning of July 8, 2003, LIBBY met with New York Times reporter Judith Miller. When the conversation turned to the subject of Joseph Wilson, LIBBY asked that the information LIBBY provided on the topic of Wilson be attributed to a "former Hill staffer" rather than to a "senior administration official," as had been the understanding with respect to other information that LIBBY provided to Miller during this meeting. . . . During this discussion, LIBBY advised Miller of his belief that Wilson's wife worked for the CIA. . . .
On or about July 10 or July 11, 2003, LIBBY spoke to a senior official in the White House ("Official A") who advised LIBBY of a conversation Official A had earlier that week with columnist Robert Novak in which Wilson's wife was discussed as a CIA employee involved in Wilson's trip. LIBBY was advised by Official A that Novak would be writing a story about Wilson's wife.
On or about July 12, 2003, LIBBY flew with the Vice President and others to and from Norfolk, Virginia, on Air Force Two. On his return trip, LIBBY discussed with other officials aboard the plane what LIBBY should say in response to certain pending media inquiries, including questions from Time reporter Matthew Cooper. 23.
On or about July 12, 2003, in the afternoon, LIBBY spoke by telephone to Cooper, who asked whether LIBBY had heard that Wilson's wife was involved in sending Wilson on the trip to Niger. LIBBY confirmed to Cooper, without elaboration or qualification, that he had heard this information too.
On or about July 12, 2003, in the late afternoon, LIBBY spoke by telephone with Judith Miller of the New York Times and discussed Wilson's wife, and that she worked at the CIA. . . .
In or about March 2004, in the District of Columbia, I. LEWIS LIBBY, also known as "SCOOTER LIBBY," defendant herein, did knowingly and corruptly endeavor to influence, obstruct and impede the due administration of justice, namely proceedings before Grand Jury 03-3, by misleading and deceiving the grand jury as to when, and the manner and means by which, LIBBY acquired and subsequently disclosed to the media information concerning the employment of Valerie Wilson by the CIA. . . .
On or about October 14 and November 26, 2003, in the District of Columbia, I. LEWIS LIBBY, also known as "SCOOTER LIBBY," defendant herein, did knowingly and willfully make a materially false, fictitious, and fraudulent statement and representation in a matter within the jurisdiction of the Federal Bureau of 16 Investigation, an agency within the executive branch of the United States . . .
On or about March 5, 2004, in the District of Columbia, I. LEWIS LIBBY, also known as "SCOOTER LIBBY," defendant herein, having taken an oath to testify truthfully in a proceeding before a grand jury of the United States, knowingly made a false material declaration . . .
Cheney's Statement on the Indictment:
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.. . .
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.
"Honor and Dignity" or "Legalism" -- You Decide