Vice President Cheney to Testify

One figure has dominated the trial of Lewis "Scooter" Libby. The San Fransisco reports today, without even showing up in the courtroom. Day after day, the jury has heard accounts of the actions of Vice President Cheney and watched as he directed links to the news media and ordered the White House to publicly defend Libby, his top aid and close confidante.

Now as the defense phase of the perjury trial begins Cheney is expected to make a historic appearance on the witness stand. It is a act of loyalty that carries considerable risk for Cheney, a powerful figure in the administration who as in recent months suffered a series of major political policy setbacks. If he testifies, Cheney will bring to the jurors the awesome authority of his office and could have attest to Libby's character as a crushing workload and dedication to keeping the country safe. That could give extra heft to Libby's defense against The charge that he lied to the FBI and the grand jury: That he was occupied with important matters of state, he did not accurately remember conversations from July 2003.

Under cross examination by Patrick Fitzgerald a veteran prosecutor who is likely to be differential but dogged with questions.

If Cheney makes a statement that conflicts with the public record- and-nearly witness so far has done so at least once-it could prove embarrassing for him and for the administration. No testimony so far has supported the idea proposed by some critics that Cheney deliberately sought to punish Wilson by ordering the exposure of the covert employment of his wife, Valeri Wilson by the CIA. It was the disclosure of her CIA job that prompted the criminal investigation that ultimately led to perjury and obstruction of justice charges against Libby.

Sources:
The San Fransisco Chronicle