Do you suppose Cheney will testify in open court?

October 28, 2005

As a political matter, Dick Cheney is not a terrific spot in light of today’s events. His right-hand man has not only resigned, but he’s under indictment, facing 30 years behind bars, and the charges seem to suggest that the VP himself was aware of Libby’s efforts while they were happening.

But there’s also the legal matter. This probably isn’t the most important point right now, but it seems that if Scooter Libby’s case goes to trial, the Vice President will be a key, if not the key, witness.

It’s hard to overstate what an incredible embarrassment this would be for Cheney. No sitting VP has ever had to testify under remotely similar circumstances. Nixon’s Spiro Agnew was busted and resigned in disgrace, but he avoided the indignity of a trail by pleading nolo contendere. It’s certainly possible that Libby will accept a plea bargain, won’t go to trial, and Cheney won’t have to worry about it.

But maybe not. I can’t imagine a bigger legal spectacle than Dick Cheney having to testify at his chief of staff’s criminal trial.

30 years behind bars – more like 30 weeks to put it realistically.

  • For the very reasons you mention, there will not be a trial. After as much delay as possible Libby will eventually plead guilty near the end of w’s term and immediately be pardoned so that everyone higher up will continue to be protected from revelations or additional charges of perjury that might result from testifying at trial.

  • Paul Ward is absolutely right. There will
    be no trial. One way or another.

    This story is over. Get used to it.
    It’s just another drubbing administered
    by the far right.

    I’m guessing Bush has reached the
    nadir of his second term, but I’m in
    such a foul mood I won’t carve that
    in stone quite yet.

    Will the MSM have forgotten about
    this story by Monday?

  • Meanwhile, as we focus on the
    Plame dead ball, has anybody noticed
    the obscene profits the oil companies
    made? As they always do, when crude
    skyrockets?

    Yet the MSM continues to feed the
    American people the same supply
    and demand bullshit.

    The Republicans are just killing us.
    Clobbering us.

    Arrrggghhhhhhhhhh! I give up.

  • Arrrggghhhhhhhhhh! I give up.

    Oh, hark, don’t give up. We’re making progress, slowly but surely.

    Besides, if you give up, our comments section would be less interesting. We can’t have that, now can we?

  • But seriously, Libby will plead and be pardoned. Bush will not only pardon any Repug evildoers–he will successfully make it seem to the bovine electorate that he’s doing it to protect us against terrorism–for national security reasons. We just can’t discuss the underpinnings of how we went to war while we’re, uh, at war…constantly. And any kind of trial, criminal or civil, that explores or even threatens to touch on that will be deemed as letting the terrorists win (i.e. Democrat inspired). I wonder if Wilson will even be able to sue civilly once Bush appoints a few more judges.

  • I agree that the chance of a criminal trial are slim, but you cannot overlook the civil action filed by Joe Wilson. You can bet that Robert Novak, Dick Cheney, Karl Rove, et. al. will all have their depositions scheduled. Republican efforts against Clinton set the precedent that the civil matter is not stayed until the executive leaves office, meaning that the details should come out over the next year or so, assuming both the criminal and civil actions are not settled. After all Joe and Valerie have been through, I think Rove and the gang will have much to worry about.

  • I think they will have monetary damages to worry about, at the worst. And those can be raised by sympathetic Repug businessmen–I’m sure Halliburton, Diebold and the oil companies will be happy to contribute to the fund. Meanwhile, the details about the lies used to bring us into war in Iraq, which many of us hoped would come out of this investigation, will not be allowed to mentioned in the trial. There’s where “national security” will be used to shield them. Clinton’s travails didn’t involve that as a possibility. I’m afraid, once again, this administration will get away with their unethical and illegal conduct and suffer no real consequences.

  • #8 – did Wilson file? I heard he might but didn’t see or hear for sure.

    Who knows if Cheney will have to testify – but every time anyone hears or reads “Vice President Dick Cheney’s Chief of Staff has been indicted” it will reflect badly on the VP and people will wonder if ol’ Dick was a part of the crime – esp. bad considering his low poll ratings.

  • I dunno… might be interesting. Do you s’pose Cheney will demand Bush come with him, like the 9/11 hearings in reverse? 🙂

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