Politics Trumps Law in Cheney Dispute [View All]

[True_Blue]

WASHINGTON - The Supreme Court case involving Vice President Dick Cheney (news - web sites)'s efforts to fight disclosure of White House records has more to do with politics than law, say defenders and critics of the Bush administration's hard line in the dispute.

Legal experts said they doubted that the case — no matter how it turns out — will have much bearing on the broad issue of executive privilege.

A loss for the administration would make it easier for outside groups to got hold of documents or other materials from some kinds of advisory bodies now shielded from public view. But that will not allow broad new access to private or sensitive Oval Office business, most lawyers agree.

The Supreme Court, which will hear arguments on the case Tuesday, must decide a rather arcane issue of law. At most, the administration would be required to begin turning over some documents about the inner workings of a study group chaired by Cheney that came up with recommendations for a national energy policy.
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