Libby Trial: ‘The Wife’ Versus ‘That Woman’

James Joyner | Tuesday, January 23, 2007

Scooter Libby attorney Wells has repeatedly used the phrase “the wife” to refer to Valerie Plame/Wilson. He must have said it well over one hundred times and the statement is not yet over. He’s doing it to downplay her significance. She was just the wife, so why would an important, busy man like Libby pay her any mind?

Given that this is a mostly female jury, however, one wonders if that could backfire. It is rather dismissive.

It also brings to mind Bill Clinton’s wagging his finger at us–while lying, it turns out–denying any relationship with “that woman, Ms. Lewinsky.”

About the Author: James Joyner is the publisher of Outside the Beltway and the managing editor of the Atlantic Council. He's a former Army officer, Desert Storm vet, and college professor with a PhD in political science from The University of Alabama. He lives just outside the Beltway in Alexandria, Virginia with his wife and infant daughter.

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Tags | James Joyner Bill Clinton, MBALibbyTrial, Valerie Plame Affair

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• The Hindsight Factor linked with Libby: Leftly Leaning - Wednesday, January 24th...

 

I'd sure beware if I was him.

Especially since power politics may surface when Cathie Martin testifies.

Posted by Nan | January 23, 2007 | 02:54 pm | Permalink

 

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