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Phillips Academy Alumnus Lewis “Scooter” Libby Recently Convicted

Lewis “Scooter” Libby ’68 was recently convicted of four felony counts after the disclosure of Valerie Plame as a CIA agent. But he is less well-known for his years at Andover, where he was an active member of the community and became the captain of the debate team. Longtime friend and Andover classmate Nick Bromell ’68 stated in a Salon.com article, “[we were] drawn to each other not just by shared interests but by a shared position on the cruel status ladder of these elite prep schools. In a world dominated by rich WASP jocks, we were both too small to play varsity sports. Scooter was a Jew. I was a scholarship boy whose family never owned a new car.” Despite Libby’s differences with the typical Andover student, he succeeded. Bromell said “[Libby] got excellent grades, and he participated enthusiastically in all aspects of school life. He cared whether the school teams won or lost, and he developed close, even sycophantic relationships with the teachers we had — including teachers who had about half his IQ.” Libby concealed his background and opinions to adjust to Andover. To fit in, Libby integrated into what Bromell calls “the system” – “where conformity to power was called ‘leadership’ and submission to the system understood as ‘success.’” This attitude influenced Libby to “stay the course” and, Bromell suggests, follow a path to power. Although Libby worked very hard at Andover, another friend from Andover, Jackson Hogen ’68, said in an MSNBC interview, said “[Scooter’s] a lot more fun than you might imagine. He’s not shy about a good time if it’s available. And he’s very meticulous, super bright and extremely competent.” Libby was, and is, an avid skier, joining Dick Cheney and Hogen in Jackson Hole. In a USA Today article, Hogen said Libby became “intrigued by the corridors of power” while also maintaining “a mischievous streak.” Most importantly, Hogen says in an NPR.com interview, is that Libby “…could argue any point of view and win.” This trait helped him become the captain of the debate team, and later, an successful lawyer. However, it did not aid him during the Valerie Plame affair, where Libby was indicted with five counts of perjury and obstruction to justice.