Olbermann opened the July 2 show: "Good evening. A president who lied us into a war and, in so doing, needlessly killed 3,584 of our family and friends and neighbors; a president whose administration initially tried to destroy the first man to nail that lie; a president whose henchmen then ruined the career of the intelligence asset that was his wife when intelligence assets were never more essential to the viability of the republic; a president like that has tonight freed from the prospect of prison the only man ever to come to trial for one of the component felonies in what may be the greatest crime of this young century."
The MSNBC host soon brought aboard frequent guest and Bush administration critic John Dean for a discussion of the Libby case, during which Olbermann wondered if the President was moving closer to being impeached. Olbermann: "Is there, John, any sense that the chance that this President might be impeached grew tonight by virtue of his decision to commute this sentence?"
During the show's regular "Worst Person in the World" segment, Olbermann awarded the dishonor of "Worst Person" on President Bush, as he referred to Bush "gutlessly" announcing his decision by press release "buried on the Monday of the longest Fourth of July weekend possible," and charged that Bush has "forfeited his claim to being President of anything larger than a small, privileged, elitist, undemocratic, anti-constitutional cabal."
Quoting Oliver Cromwell, Olbermann addressed Bush: "Depart, I say, and let us have done with you. In the name of God, go." Olbermann concluded by previewing the latest of his "Special Comment" rants, airing tomorrow, in which he will call on both the President and Vice President to resign. Olbermann: "As you may have suspected, tomorrow night, here on Countdown, a "Special Comment" calling on this Vice President and this President to resign. Tomorrow night on Countdown."
Below is a transcript of relevant portions of the Monday July 2 Countdown show on MSNBC:
KEITH OLBERMANN, opening the show: Good evening. A president who lied us into a war and, in so doing, needlessly killed 3,584 of our family and friends and neighbors; a president whose administration initially tried to destroy the first man to nail that lie; a president whose henchmen then ruined the career of the intelligence asset that was his wife when intelligence assets were never more essential to the viability of the republic; a president like that has tonight freed from the prospect of prison the only man ever to come to trial for one of the component felonies in what may be the greatest crime of this young century. Our fifth story on the Countdown, President George W. Bush has tonight, by means of a matter-of-fact prepared statement, commuted the prison sentence of Lewis "Scooter" Libby, former chief of staff to the infamous Vice President Dick Cheney."
...OLBERMANN, during interview with John Dean: Is there, John, any sense that the chance that this President might be impeached grew tonight by virtue of his decision to commute this sentence?
...
As Oliver Cromwell said to the infamous Rump Parliament in England more than 350 years ago, "You have sat too long for any good you have been doing lately. Depart, I say, and let us have done with you." In the name of God, go. George Walker Bush, today's "Worst Person in the World." As you may have suspected, tomorrow night, here on Countdown, a "Special Comment" calling on this Vice President and this President to resign. Tomorrow night on Countdown.
