That’s the latest scuttlebutt from the Scooter Libby trial:

Russert’s presumed distaste for Matthews (so difficult not to speculate on its cause! Is it stylistic? Does someone hog the newsroom donuts?) came up in reference to the prosecution presenting notes taken by Libby during a conversation with former vice president aide Mary Matalin. She “has a colorful way of speaking” (something the press corps does know), and in the course of advising Libby on how to deal with the “Wilson issue,” and in particular Matthew’s attacks on the vice president, she advised Libby to call Russert to complain and she told Libby that Russert would have an especially sympathetic ear: “Call Tim. He hates Chris – he needs to know it all.” She also gave a talking point: “Wilson is a snake.”

Not exactly sophisticated, that last bit. But straight to the point.