Raw Story: NYT: Cheney expected to make 'historic appearance' on witness stand (developing)

[deminks]

http://www.rawstory.com/news/2007/NYT_Cheney_expected_to_make_historic_0211.html

Vice President Dick Cheney is expected to make a "historic appearance" on the witness stand at the trial for his former aide, I. Lewis Libby, who is accused of obstructing justice and lying to officials investigating the Bush Administration's alleged "outing" of a CIA officer, Monday's New York Times will report.

"One witness has dominated the trial of I. Lewis Libby Jr. without even showing up in the courtroom," Scott Shane and Jim Rutenberg write for the Times.

The article continues, "Day after day, the jury has heard accounts of the actions of Vice President Dick Cheney, watched as his handwritten notes were displayed on a giant screen, heard how he directed leaks to the press and ordered the White House to publicly defend Libby, his top aide and close confidante."

"Now, as the defense phase of the perjury trial begins, Cheney is expected to make an historic appearance on the witness stand," the Times reports.

(sorry if already posted)

IHT link now:

http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/02/11/news/cheney.php

[Sadie5]

1. Will he be sworn in

nt

[BobRossi]

3. Think he has to be.

This is a criminal court not a 'puker led Congressional cover-up.

[tinrobot]

12. Then he can be charged with perjury

...and I suspect he will commit perjury.

[Jackpine Radical]

75. Even without being sworn--as in the Grand Jury proceedings--

he could still be charged with obstruction of justice.

[Olney Blue]

2. Trial of the century, if this happens.

[joeunderdog]

50. Yup, it also means they know they're screwed.

This means they are opening that lying bastard up for perjury charges once he starts opening that one side of his grumbling trap of his.

They only way this "helps" Libby is if they get Cheney to lie him out of it. Then what? Is Cheney gonna tell Fitzy that his questions are "inappropriate?"

[jpak]

4. I hope Fitz antagonizes him to the point of profanity

:evilgrin:

[Cocoa]

15. that would be historic

and hysterical. :rofl:

[Kablooie]

56. Good thing they don't allow weapons. Cheney might shoot him in the face.

[DearAbby]

86. Ayep...Dead eye Dick

is deadly with his birdshot, especially old Lawyers.

[mwb970]

88. Fitz is decent. He would aplogize for being shot by Cheney. /nt

[hvn_nbr_2]

66. I hope Fitz reels him in to a "Perry Mason moment" nt

[volstork]

95. "The Case of the Venomous VEEP" N/t

[LiberalFighter]

71. High blood pressure... aneurism burst... coma

If he goes into a coma how long will they wait to declare him unable to fulfill his duties as VP?

Frist views a video of Cheney in a coma and determines that Cheney is sending secret signals to dimwad Bush. Therefore is brain is functioning.

[yojon]

78. Uhh.. burst anerysm is fatal within minutes

although that probably wouldnt stop him

[senseandsensibility]

5. His appearance will be historic no doubt

but for all negative reasons. Somehow the headline leaves the impression that Cheney is doing something postive. Of course rawstory wouldn't spin this for dick, but apparently that wording comes from the NYT, and they have proven themselves willing stenographers for him on many occasions.

[emulatorloo]

30. I can't imagine that NYT is correct -- I don't believe Cheney will be called

I know that Libby's lawyers floated him as a witness, but I don't know what Cheney could say short of confessing that Scooter just took the fall for him that could help Libby. I remember reading some bloggers saying that they had Cheney on the witness list just so they could weed out jurors that don't like him.

[speedoo]

32. It's International Herald Tribune. No sign of this story at NYT.com.

I think Rawstory got it wrong.

[Garbo 2004]

49. NYT owns the IHT and runs many of its articles there. The authors are reporters for the NYT. n/t

[speedoo]

63. Thanks, but I don't believe this "story" will appear in the NYT.

There is no "news" in the article... it's just speculation as to what might happen if Cheney were to testify.

Does everything written by NYT reporters, that appears in the IHT also appear in the Times?

[Garbo 2004]

93. Link to the article on the NYT website:

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/12/washington/12cheney.html?ref=washington

It's a bit longer but still "no news."

[tblue37]

36. Since the charge against Libby is perjury,

even if Cheney admitted that Libby took the fall for him, it would not change the fact of his lying.

[emulatorloo]

41. If Cheney said "I ordered scooter to lie to the grand jury," the jury might feel sorry for Scooter

However I just don't see Cheney doing that.

[me b zola]

55. If cheney did that, wouldn't that be admitting to interference in a criminal investigation?

Yet, nothing these criminals do suprises me.

[mike_c]

6. they will remove every mirror within a 10 block radius of the court...

...and pat down all spectators for garlic or holy water. Expect very heavy shades on the windows.

[tinfoilinfor2005]

40. Made me laugh!

:spray:

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

73. They changing the wording of the swearing in oath to "so help me, Mammon"

and they're coating the bible with asbestos, so Cheney doesn't go up in flames when he touches it.

[Independent_Liberal]

7. Ooooooo!!!!!!!

Goodie! Goodie!

:D

[SoCalDem]

8. I wonder if he will "wow" the women on the jury with his brown pants

[lancdem]

9. lol

Where's that photo from?

[SoCalDem]

23. Some midwestern photo op.. Iowa, I think

There was a small girl in the picture to the right, but i cropped her out...for decency's sake

[Olney Blue]

17. It's the WMD pic!

Weiner of Mass Destruction

[TheModernTerrorist]

38. it's probably

just his disposable brief bunching up...
...or the tube that feeds him blood every night.
......or maybe he shit his pants?

[sce56]

52. It is a rolled up sock gessh they always play the big hombre parts for Dickless Chicken Hawks

http://web.archive.org/web/20030602211200/

[ebayfool]

67. I'd lay odds he's incontinent & it's a catheter/bag ...

my old grandpa had to wear one once he hit his 90s.

Dickless probably can't hold his water.

[The Wizard]

89. So what has him aroused

the little girl or the guy dressed up like a butcher?

[Sydnie]

10. Please let the court reporters fingers be swift

and the sketch artists be plentiful!

Wonder if he will transform into his true Manimal self for all to see? I hope, I hope, I hope!

[Rosa Luxemburg]

11. It is embarassing for this country to have its VP tied up in a criminal trial

It is amazing that we the people have to endure such rogues.

Can't we have a clean government for a change?

Let's hope he slips up and gets put behind bars

[SalmonChantedEvening]

13. "Will the witness please stop asking me if I want to go hunting"

:D

[Hissyspit]

14. I gave this post a recommendation.

Do you think I should have? :crazy: :P

[applegrove]

16. Finally - under oath. Be interesting to see if it generates more charges.

[Hissyspit]

21. Am I clear on this? Libby's lawyers are about protecting LIBBY, not Cheney.

So both sides (Fitz and the Libby Defense team) are not looking out for the Vice President's best interests?

[applegrove]

22. Will be intriguing for sure.

[AlCzervik]

18. he better not fake a heart attack.

[emulatorloo]

19. The only way Dick can help Scooter is if he testifies that he ordered Scooter to Lie to Fitzgerald

I seriously doubt Dick Cheney will testify. . .

Maybe I am wrong, but what could he possibly say that would help Scooter Libby?

He could testify to his character, but the jury has already seen scads of testimony that indicate Scooter did lie to the grand jury

He could testify that Scooter forgot because Plame wasn't a big deal, but the jury has already heard scads of testimony that both Scooter and Cheney were obsessed with Plame.

The only thing cheney could do that would help Scooter is

--take responsibility for telling scooter to out plame.
-- take responibility for telling scooter to lie to the grand jury.

[Olney Blue]

29. Unless Cheney, arrogant as he is, thinks he can spin this whole

trial as an "injustice" to his loyal employee and a "witch hunt" by Fitz to charge for a crime that wasn't committed (Cheney himself and Bush had "declassified Plame's identity, so no harm done- they were merely setting the record straight). I suspect Cheney feels exactly how Mary Matalin felt in her desperate call to Imus the other day. I don't think we can underestimate their arrogance!

[Canuckistanian]

42. Why could he NOT testify?

As the article says, Cheney was Libby's superior. Almost everything Libby did concerning this case was on Cheney's orders, either explicitly or implicitly.

There were MANY conversations, memos, notes, phone calls, etc.

How could ANY court decline to question such a pivotal figure?

I understand Libby's dilemma, but by now the court must be champing at the bit to call Cheney.

[Garbo 2004]

51. The "court" doesn't call witnesses. Cheney is on the defense's potential witness list, not the

prosecution's. The prosecution has rested its case. It's up to the defense whether or not to have Cheney testify.

[Canuckistanian]

87. Ah, right

I lose track of all the twists and turns in this trial.

[Crabby Appleton]

68. I agree that he probably won't be called since he can't really

help libby.


as to:
The only thing cheney could do that would help Scooter is

--take responsibility for telling scooter to out plame. (libby not charged with outing plame)
-- take responibility for telling scooter to lie to the grand jury. (libby would still be guilty of lying to investigators & GJ)

neither help libby.

[lligrd]

20. Fritz Can Start Drafting Those Perjury Charges

now.

[emulatorloo]

24. Who is Fritz? Fritz the cat????

Sorry I could not help myself I love Fritz the Cat.

But the prosecutor's name is Patrick Fitzgerald.

Personally I doubt that Libby's lawyers will call Dick Cheney. I don't think anything he can say will help Libby, unless he is ready to confess that he told Libby to lie to the Grand Jury.

[lligrd]

83. Oops LOL

Well hell, I don't care who. Fritz the Cat can do it as long as Cheney gets charged.

[sellitman]

25. Lots of Orville Reddenbocker to be popped on this appearence

:popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn:

[Betsy Ross]

44. Going upscale for Poppycock.

Love caramel corn.

[speedoo]

26. This appears to be pure speculation. I doubt Cheney will take the stand.

It appears the only benefit will be that Cheney would testify as to how busy Libby was. Big deal. Meanwhile his appearance would be at enormous risk.

I don't think it will happen.

[Garbo 2004]

27. "If he testifies" is what the NYT article states. It's still not known whether the defense will call

Cheney to the stand. The NYT article does not provide any more info as to whether the defense team has decided to have him testify or not.

[redirish28]

28. My question is will he try to take the 5th and will Fitz remind him he can't

[Jack Rabbit]

31. Get those perjury indictments ready, Mr. Fitzgerald

Cheney cannot open his mouth and permit anything true to come out of it.

[Gabi Hayes]

33. I'm sure this has been discussed, and I missed it, buy why can't Fitzgerald

call Cheney as a witness for the prosecution?

I sort of understand the hostile witness deal, but, aside from the problems arising from that, is there some legal proscription?

[femrap]

34. Why wouldn'd Fitz call Cheney?

And Rove?

[emulatorloo]

48. Fitz already completed his case -- did not need either to prove Libby lying EOM

[bighughdiehl]

35. So what

Even if Dick makes obviously perjurious statements, I expect he'll get off scott free as always. I am now just looking forward to '08. Libby's trial is probably another whitewash, just like Fitz investigation. Just let a guy named "Scooter" take the fall.

[blogslut]

72. Fitzgerald's investigation was not a whitewash

His investigation was obstructed by I. Lewis Libby. Libby is now on trial for that charge and if you've been keeping up with the case, things don't look good for Scooter.

[kitty1]

37. Will Libby's Aspens start turning now.....n/t

[Canuckistanian]

45. Fitz will start to cut down Libby's aspens now.

Call it a safety measure to prevent government forest fires from spreading far and wide.

[liberalla]

85. I bet those aspens are diseased (as is this administration)...

Need to remove before them before it spreads to other healthy trees. Protect the forest!

Now for those Aspens... Fitzpatrick the Lumberjack!

[Me.]

39. So When Is This Supposed To Happen?

Given that the dick is about to leave on a 10 days trip overseas.

[flyarm]

43. i do not believe Cheney will testify..he can not help Libby..

the only thing i see happening is Libby goes down..and then to save his nec and get a lower sentence..he then gives up Cheney to fitz...but i do not even thik he will sing to the prosecution then..only if he will get the full sentence..and all the charges ...
and if his lawyers do not think they will win an appeal..

cheney can't help Libby..without saying he told libby to lie..making himself a co-conspirator..i believe..

but what do i know!! lol..

fly

[Annces]

46. Holy Cow

I can hardly believe it.

[kanrok]

47. Who will man the fire extinguisher

when the Bible catches fire as he's sworn to tell the "truth?"

[autorank]

53. He'll crack, count on it.

Fitgerald is everything he can't stand, superior intelligence, superior arguments, and a failure to show respect based on Cheney's position.

Fitzgerald will find a way to make this guy crack, just go ballistic.

It will be quite something if it happens, maybe the excuse to dump Cheney.

[WinkyDink]

59. And Fitz won't give 2 hoots about any sneers, either. He'll be all business.

He won't be intimidated; Fitzgerald is no Timmeh or Wolfie or ANYONE ELSE.

[drbtg1]

94. self delete

redundant

[Duer 157099]

54. The only historic thing would be Cheney telling the truth

Knowing the arrogance of Cheney and everyone around him, they probably believe that Cheney testifying would be a good thing for Libby.

I dare 'em.

[suziedemocrat]

57. He'd better not commit perjury!

[malaise]

58. When?

He's heading to Australia, Guam and Afghanistan next week. The timing has me real scared. Maybe Bushco will have him disappeared.

[The Wizard]

91. If Cheney can't serve the rest of his term

Bush will replace him with McCain or Jeb or Rudolph, or Karl or Liebermann. That's right, Liebermann, the new improved Liebermann with the reattached foreskin. Then Connecticut's Republican governor replaces Holy Joe with a declared Republican.

[in_cog_ni_to]

60. There's no way he can testify. He'll be under OATH. He will have to LIE

and that means he'll commit perjury OR he will tell the TRUTH, which means he'll go to prison after he's IMPEACHED OR he'll plead the fifth. He can't testify. He will also be cross examined by Fitz. :scared: Cheney's not going to testify. He feels a malfunction in his pace maker coming on.

[leftchick]

61. I don't think he will testify

just cynical old me thinking he will get away again.

[musiclawyer]

62. Only if Fitz has been pre-neutralized by Alberto

and this is all related to the US Attorney purge. Otherwise I don't see it happening because Cheney would expose himself to criminal charges.

[Crabby Appleton]

64. I'll really be supprised if the defense actually calls him

don't see how he can help their case.

[seafan]

65. Cheney planning to leave for Asia on Feb 19, according to Newsweek.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x185408

[ebayfool]

69. *Dear Dick, ...

Roses are red ...
Violets are blue ...
If I go to jail ...
You're goin' too!

Love, Libby



*per last nights' SNL




Rec'd!

[blogslut]

70. Hey Richard "Goliath" Cheney

Meet your David:

[Imagevision]

74. Fitzgerald's questions will be over-ruled, or this will be interesting...

[texpatriot2004]

76. Really? I thought he and I. Liar Libby weren't taking the stand.

May the force be with you Patrick Fitzgerald.

[WillyT]

77. TIMES ARTICLE IS UP NOW (LINK) !!! - K & R !!!

Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/12/washington/12cheney.html

Sorry 'bout the yellin.

:blush:

[deminks]

79. Thanks for the link.

:D

[Olney Blue]

80. Can Fitz have a "you can't handle the truth moment?"

From the article:


In a recent interview on CNN, the host, Wolf Blitzer, told Mr. Cheney, “Some of your good Republican friends in the Senate and the House are now seriously questioning your credibility because of the blunders, of the failures.”

Mr. Cheney, in a striking display of pique, responded: “Wolf, Wolf, I simply don’t accept the premise of your question. I just think it’s hogwash.”

[deminks]

81. I sure hope so. If there's one hog that needs washing, it's Darth.

[mmonk]

84. That's what I'm looking for.

[Bitwit1234]

82. Will he bring his shotgun....

I hope he tells a lie and gets caught.

[itsmesgd]

90. I'm praying for a "You can't handle the truth moment" a la A Few Good Men

With Dick going down.

DC: Son we live in a world with wars and these wars have to be started for the men who make guns.. Who's gonna do this, you, I dont think you have the guts.....

PF: Did you order the outing of Plame?

DC: You want the truth...I outed Plame, it had to be done. I ordered 9/11 because it too had to be done. Iran-Contra me too.....

[Dracos]

92. Oh hell yeah!!

please let this be true,because this will br the beginning of the end for big dick.