The Morning Line

Will the Justice Department charge the seven major tobacco-company ceos with perjury for their testimony before Congress that nicotine is not addictive?

BOOKIE

Thomas Lauria

Spokesman for the Tobacco Institute

ODDS

COMMENTS

"Where does perjury enter in? There's no basis for it. They began their remarks with 'I believe.' You are allowed to express personal beliefs under oath."

BOOKIE

Scott Ballin

Chairman, Coalition on Smoking or Health

ODDS

10-1

COMMENTS

"The executives said, 'I do not believe ... ' -- a very calculated legal tactic. They can say they were expressing their own personal opinion."

BOOKIE

Staffer for antismoking Rep. Henry Waxman

ODDS

No odds posted

COMMENTS

"They gave a lot of legalistic answers. It's tricky. We have a pretty long way to go."

BOOKIE

Christopher Buckley

Author of Thank You for Smoking

ODDS

Sure thing

COMMENTS

"A perjury charge would definitely be the prize plum. Waxman must dream of that when he lays his head down on the pillow at night."