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

James Joyner · Tuesday, January 23, 2007 · 2 Comments

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.”

FILED UNDER: James Joyner, Bill Clinton, MBALibbyTrial, Valerie Plame Affair

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About James Joyner
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. Follow James on Twitter.

Comments

Nan says:

Tuesday, January 23, 2007 at 14:54

I’d sure beware if I was him.

Especially since power politics may surface when Cathie Martin testifies.

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The Hindsight Factor says:

Wednesday, January 24, 2007 at 18:00

Libby: Leftly Leaning – Wednesday, January 24th…

BooMan points out why the defense may be relying on smokescreens and red herrings. Short version: Libby has less chance of acquittal than Orville Redenbacher has of branching into the canned soup market.
In any case, TPM reader LG reminds us that wh…

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