Is Cheney Next?

[kpete]

Is Cheney Next?
February 22, 2007 12:03 PM

Justin Rood Reports:

Could a guilty verdict for a former aide bring further criminal scrutiny of Vice President Dick Cheney?

"Yes,"

said Sol Weisenberg, a former deputy independent counsel to former Whitewater special prosecutor Kenneth Starr.

As a federal jury deliberates the fate of former Cheney chief of staff I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, several watchers agree. If the jury decides Libby knew he was lying to investigators, it could spur investigators to explore further whether Cheney was involved in conspiring to obstruct justice, they believe.

Libby's lawyers did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The office of the vice president declined to discuss the matter.


http://blogs.abcnews.com/theblotter/2007/02/is_cheney_next.html

[sabra]

1. but Fitz needs more to get Cheney

further down in article:

<snip>

First, Fitzgerald would need to win a guilty verdict for Libby and push for the harshest sentence possible, said Washington, D.C. lawyer Stanley Brand, who has built a practice around defending public officials. Then, he could grant Libby immunity from further prosecution and offer leniency in an effort to coax Libby to say more about the vice president's role, if any, in obstructing his leak investigation.

Even then, it would take a lot more evidence than that one conversation to build a case against the vice president, Brand told ABC News. "A wink and a nod can't be obstruction," he said. "There has to be overt acts and intent."

[kpete]

2. Sabra

You have been amazing lately - document the atrocities - I feel their downfall - YOU feel it too...

kpete

[sabra]

3. Kpete

coming from you that means alot :-) I feel like it's just the tip of the iceberg - but the truth will previal

[The Backlash Cometh]

11. I hope the truth prevails soon, before Bush gets the steam to start

a draft and continue his perpetual war.

[meldroc]

9. I hope Fitzgerald is ready to deal with a pardon.

I'm certainly for tightening the vise on Libby and offering a plea bargain in exchange for ratting out Cheney and Bush. Of course, this might be countered by a full or partial pardon by Bush so Libby doesn't face prison. Fitz needs to be ready with a post-pardon subpoena, because the one disadvantage of a pardon is that once pardoned, you can't plead the Fifth, and can be compelled to testify in detail about all your crimes.

Also, I hope Fitzgerald has something other than Libby to use. After all, Libby is about to be convicted for perjury, so he won't be very credible as a witness. He'll need corroboration by other witnesses and evidence.

[Warpy]

4. This falls into a category of "I'll believe it when I see it."

Other occupants of the category are earthly appearances of the divine, UFOs carrying humanoid extraterrestrials, and honest politicians.

[H2O Man]

5. I think that

the chances are about 50-50.

[sabra]

6. considering that Cheney is out of the country, it might be a sign

that he knows Libby will be found guilty, and all eyes will be on him.

[garybeck]

7. Just obstruction? Why not OUTING A CIA AGENT?

?

[gademocrat7]

8. I hope something will stick to cheney.

[Spiffarino]

10. The coming pardon will ensure Scooter's silence

I have no doubt that Scooter will drag the trial out until he can get his pardon from Bush. I wish it weren't so, but the Shooter has no need to worry about Scooter. Fitz would have to make a case without Libby's help.

Better to concentrate on Cheney's lies and behind the scenes machinations that led us into the Iraq Quagmire. It may not lead to prison, but it could lead to a long vacation from public office for Republicans.

[deutsey]

12. Bush Pardons 6 in Iran Affair, Aborting a Weinberger Trial

Prosecutor Assails 'Cover-Up'

http://www.nytimes.com/books/97/06/29/reviews/iran-pardon.html

Lest we forget...

:evilfrown: