Posted on 10/30/2005 3:43:25 PM PST by Brian Mosely
Edited on 10/30/2005 4:02:24 PM PST by Admin Moderator. [history]
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...
Fitzgerald has found his strawberries.
Why on earth wasn't he asked by the Justice Department to investigate and indict Sandy Burgler??? The INJUSTICE of this is why they call it "The Criminal Justice System!!!"
politics.
I suspect if this does go to trial there will be a lot of CIA witnesses called by the defense including Mrs Wilson and Mr Wilson, their boses and their underlings. Also there will be a lot of reporters called including Miller and Cooper and they will not be allowed to use the "press shield" to avoid testifying. If they want Libby they will have to be willing to see a lot of unsavory things become public. Dick Cheney's role will seem minor in comparison.
I know it's Drudge - but you may be interested in this - ping (I've read posts on the Libby situation in which you were participating in a very informed, intellectual manner).
Look at the record of Fiz. 60 Rep to 2 Dems Now a big Rep fish.
Fitzzzzzzzz doesn't know it but the VP can demand the questions he wants the VP to answer, and the VP can submit the answers in writing. No one can demand the President or VP to appear in court. A deposition may be obtained and will serve as appearance.
If true, this is insane. Cheney can discuss whatever he wants to with Libby.
Drudge? Hose him down LOL
I don't see that Fitzgerald NEEDS Cheney's testimony. So, there must be another reason he wants Cheney's testimony. Something really smells.
What? No siren for a trial that might take place in 1 1/2 years, but then again might not.
Drudge's hatred for Bush is so strong he can't get anything straight .
His highest moment was the Blue Dress. He isn't up to the task for anything even remotely intellectually complex.
He should stick with natural disasters and cable ratings.
With this indictment the media is the BIG loser.
There will never be a trust between the WH and the press. Arms length forever.
The fight will be Executive Privelege vs. Shield Law. Article II Section 4 vs. Amdendment I. Who will win? It's Smackdown Time!
-PJ
Didn't you hear Reid today ask the President not to pardon Libby? I don't know where Reid gets the idea he can tell the President what he should or should not do. Did Reid tell Clinton not to pardon someone when he left office?
Outside the Beltway and Political Junkies,nobody knows who Scooter Libby is and cares less.
This is non-story that the Dems were hoping would blow open the WH and destroy the President. Ridiculous.
Great!! Go for it! Meanwhile the DEFENSE will certainly call Tim Russert, Time magazine writer, NY Times editors and writers, possibly other reporters, DNC leaders who 'adopted' Wilson, Kerry who put him on his web site, and many others. Libby may COMPEL witnesses to answer questions. WAY MORE FUN FOR THE GOOD GUYS!! Go Libby.
Cheney to Fitz: "GFY"!
IOW the prosecutor has no case and is now on a fishing expedition.
Seriously, disbarring abusive prosecutors MUST become normal procedure.
It is time the heard is thined.
YIKES....Chrissy is on MSLSD right now...and opened the show saying that "WE KNOW that Libby manipulated the press into believing there were WMDs in Iraq....
and now we find out that Libby was doing some manipulating of the truth in the CIA leak case">....
HEY Chrissy.. the Fitzy said this had NOTHING to do with the war....putz-head!!!
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