PROSECUTOR PLANS ON CALLING CHENEY AS WITNESS IN OPEN COURT; EXECUTIVE PRIVILEGE FIGHT LOOMS

Drudge Report ^

[Brian Mosely]

XXXXX DRUDGE REPORT XXXXX SUN OCT 30, 2005 18:31:21 ET XXXXX

PROSECUTOR PLANS ON CALLING CHENEY AS WITNESS IN OPEN COURT; EXECUTIVE PRIVILEGE FIGHT LOOMS

**Exclusive**

Special Counsel Patrick Fitzgerald is planning to call Vice President Dick Cheney as a witness in the trial of Lewis Libby, the DRUDGE REPORT has leaned.

But the high stakes move could result in an executive privilege showdown between the White House and Fitzgerald, a top government source said Sunday.

"If Mr. Fitzgerald is going to demand a public recounting of conversations between the vice president, or even the president, and his staff, on matters he, himself, has acknowledged are 'classified,' executive privilege will obviously be invoked."

Fitzgerald has made it clear to lawyers involved in the case that he prefers Cheney appear as a witness in open court.

"Mr. Fitzgerald is starting from the position that this should not be done on remote or videotape," the well-placed source said.

Fitzgerald and Libby's attorney Joseph Tate discussed possible plea options before the indictment was issued last week, TIME magazine reports in new editions. But the deal was scotched because the prosecutor insisted that Libby do some "serious" jail time.

Developing...

[Patriot from Philly]

I feel very bad for Libby, but I would like to see this go to trial. I think it's a chance to totally discredit the MSM in this country.

They are actually very aggressive and hostile towards Bush. They are in active collaboration with the DNC and it ain't going to be pretty.

Fitzgerald should have given Libby the Berger deal. I expect 2-3 charges to drop off even before trial.

[Stallone]

And this administration will clue in and start fighting back against partisan attacks when?

Bush has performed weakly on several domestic enemy issues:

1. He was warned to remove the seditious Clintonian elements in government on day one. He failed. Tenet of the CIA he held on to despite overwhelming evidence that he was incompetent and disloyal;
2. On public relations, Bush preferred the tactic of ignoring critics. He has only emboldened them, and they have intensified. Press secretary Scott McClellan is, in a word, pathetic. His appointment is scandalous;
3. Uniter, not a divider. What a gift he gave to his political opponents. By openly and unfairly battling with Bush, Dems can accuse him of failing on his promise. And conflicts now abound with his opponents. Geez, did we see that coming?

Like Dad, Dubya is a tough bird on foreign turf, but an absolute wimp on domestic.

Get some balls, Pubbies.

[OldFriend]

In all these years Drudge has had two profound affects on the country. The blue dress and the yellow busses.

Have to say, putting up with his schtick inbetween is worth it if we get the occasional world shaking exposes.

[AndyJackson]

Anybody know when the last time Drudge had a real-honest-to-goodness-scoop?

Uh, Miers?

[AndyJackson]

You know, that is not actually the business that Drudge is in. What Drudge is really good at is picking those few stories that are floating around that are really of national prominence and putting them on his page. He has excellent "taste" in that respect - far better than any other news source that I know. Almost everything that Drudge puts on his site is a story that has some particularly poignant interest.

Drudge's service to the country is not as an investigative journalist, but making sure that the most worthy stories receive national attention. Once they are on Drudge, no one can any long ignore or bury them.

[meema]

I'm pretty sure Tenet has had some second thoughts about this whole thing. Serves him right. He should not have started it.

[BluH2o]

Press secretary Scott McClellan is, in a word, pathetic. His appointment is scandalous;

Agree ... came to that conclusion during Bush's first term. A strong press secretary, quick on his feet, that can stare down the liberal media types in a press conference (and actually control it to some extent) is a tremendous asset to an administration. Scott McClellan comes up short ... big time.

[marty60]

I will give him the bene of the doubt fornow. Interesting that her "class" at the CIA was on 60 minutes last night. I wonder if Aldrich Ames is part of that "class" I would be willing to bet money that some front companies got money from Saddamn. It would explain CIA's hell bent attitude to stop the War against Terrorism in Iraq.

[Eagles Talon IV]

And why would they lean on Libby to plead out? My guess is because they dion't think they have enough of a case for a conviction.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

The INJUSTICE of this is why they call it "The Criminal Justice System!!!"

ROFL!

[OldFriend]

Whatever Libby did or did not lie about is hardly a high crime. This is all about political posturing by Fitz-hack.

[p23185]

I doubt Cheney has anything to worry about. Bring it on, and I want to see both Wilson and Flame on the stand under oath.

[JesseJane]

Consider this:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1511397/posts?page=13#13


Be sure to read the 2nd link to the end if inclined.

Also consider this:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1511397/posts?page=39#39

[JesseJane]

*

[kabar]

This is BS for SO many reasons...one of which is that Cheney's conversations ...whether classified or not...are perfectly legal to discuss with his chief of staff. Libby is NOT saying the Cheney didn't tell him. He's saying that he remembered, incorrectly, the timing of those conversations. A deposition or videotaped (like CLINTON DID) would give the prosecutor what he wants....but he doesn't want the facts.

Unless they are trying to flip Libby and have him say that Cheney directed him to contact various reporters off the record and mention that Wilson's wife worked for the Agency. Cheney would be questioned directly on that point as well to determine whether this was part of a concerted strategy to discredit Wilson. This is what the Dems are hoping for.

[Mister Baredog]

Unfortunately I found that most of the news pumped out by the NYT on Plamegate was true

I don't think so. In fact using the word "true" and the NY Slimes in the same sentence is questionable IMHO.

[SF Republican]

Fitz - Mr VP; did your assistant tell the truth to that reporter?
VP - YES - I cannot tell a lie, he told the truth.
Fitz - I rest my case your honor, the man told the truth.

[meema]

I have been worried about Tenet since it became known that Iraq was a "slam-dunk". Prior to that I had given the entire CIA the benefit of the doubt. Even though i twas obvious that there was a "leak war" going on right from the start.
I guess I miss a lot by refusing to watch any of these 60 minute type programs. It had been my experience over many years that they were always against any Republican administration.

I would be willing to bet money that some front companties got money from Saddam.

I agree.

Aldrich Ames was the one who outed Valery, some sources say.

[FreeTheHostages]

The public is entitled to every man's evidence in a criminal matter.

If Vice President Cheney has relevant information, than he should testify.

I don't see anything onerous about it. The questions can be framed to avoid disclosure of classified information.

This is a sound indictment. Although it's certainly said, and I very much hope Mr. Libby doesn't do one day of jail time if he's convicted.

I think it would be a big mistake to get defensive on this one. "Big" as in (1) the law isn't on your side; (2) don't look defensive, like the Clinton White House was about Monicagate: cooperate with the prosecutor and do your duty.

[t2buckeye]

But even if that is the motive...a videotaped testimony is what Clinton got...so why is Cheney treated differently? I think we ALL know