OK--Any bets on whether Cheney actually ends up on the stand

in the Libby trial?

Any number of scenarios could keep him off the stand.

Maybe the defense won't call him. That could have just been a threat to extract some advantage of some sort (God knows what) from the WH.

If called, Cheny may simply refuse, claiming exec priv (with or without credible basis), thereby throwing the whole mess into Scalitoville & causing a freezeup of the proceedings.

Or maybe something else.

I'm just betting Darth Sneer doesn't take the stand.

can you imagine that scowling POS trying to explain himself to a season pro like Fitz or his superb staff?

He would evoke national security, the 5th amendment, and claim no present recollection if he were forced to appear. There is no way he will show up.

--- He won't have the option of telling Fitz that he's "out of line."

Is any significant portion of the press actually carrying this? As far as I can tell, the public is quite unaware of what is going on in that trial. Our local paper still isn't covering it. I don't see enough TV to know how much coverage there is there, but I just don't hear people talking about this stuff. It's not in the public consciousness.

$50 says no.

Any takers?

I hope I am wrong but my money tells me otherwise.

Your 50 bucks against my 75.

hospital the day he is due to take the stand. The bet should be will he come out alive :D

Add.

him, the attorneys, the judge, the jury. no public viewing, no reporters or bloggers.

DO YOU HONESTLY THINK THAT TAKING AN OATH WILL MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE TO A LYING POS like Darth?
Sorry for shouting, but look at the testimony before congress, before the 9/11 commiss., and his repeated lies on national TV. He has no qualms about telling a bald face lie.

doesn't seem to apply to these folks. If he perjured himself, watch him pull out a pocket pardon issued by the boy king covering all of his sins.

Prison (ask Libby) is a great motivator.

No offense taken. We are on the same side. But I am still giving 3 to 2 (1 bet, $50 limit).

:(

and I can only imagine him demanding that as the boy king's Darth.

Does that concept even apply to Darth?

... and voila, closed door session it will be.

There is nothing illegal about that.

Cheney has already agreed to testify, if called. In theory, it could be in open court; it could be in a "closed session" as described; or it could be something done in another location, played for the jury.

The most likely scenario, should he testify, is in court without the public (including the media) in the courtroom itself. That still allows for spectators to view it from the other room, as has been taking place thus far.

At this point, I am under the impression that there is reason to believe that some forces are attempting to keep Cheney from testifying. Monday should be interesting.

does he have to be in the courtroom?

Libby's lawyers may want to call Cheney to aid their client, but Libby will say not to force it. Libby is loyal to his Fuhrer.

Last chance.

Let me tell you, I would freaking WALK to your town if I couldn't pay my bet.

Talk all you like.

Bet me.

I'll pay. And I expect payment.

or so.

there WMD in Iraq and was Saddam building a nuculear arsenal, and then answer heck yeah, he might take the stand. Then again, he could be excused for medical reasons. Too much stress not good for the ticker.

A statement maybe, but no stand.

My bet, at this point, is that Scooter makes a deal (which will include jail time) and shuts the proceedings down. Or so he thinks.

This is the most co-inky-dink administration in the history of this country. It's quite plausible that bush will order strikes against Iran so that any potential media coverage of Cheney's testimony will be blown away in the aftermath of the breathless reporting by the chucklehead media who tell us what they think we need to hear.

I don't believe in coincidences when so much is at stake, and I've taken note of the rhetoric against Iran being ratcheted up commensurate with the revelations of Cheney's implications in the outing of Plame and the erosion of the Counter-Proliferation Division of the CIA, and all other tangential results associated with Cheney's interference.

Also plausible that he will delay being called to the stand "in the interest of national security" because of said air strikes.

OTOH, Cheney thinks he's the smartest man in the world. He may look forward to sparring with a brilliant legal mind such as Fitzpatrick's.

either make him take the stand or make him give a deposition under oath. However, Cheney might flat-out refuse to answer a subpoena - and wouldn't that be interesting?

I think the defense was playing a pretty high-stakes game of chicken during the runup to the trial. They were forced to call him by the prosecution, who refused to do so. They were rolling the dice the prosecution would take the bait. The only way we'll see Crashcart now is as an 11th hour Hail Mary pass. According to FDL, if he shows up, the defense is acknowledging they've lost. It's too risky to put him (and his temper) on the stand, not to mention the things he could possibly be asked about in open court.

After the sneering, resentful CNN interview with Wolf Blitzer, I'm thinking he's going to do just about anything to keep from being put under oath and experiencing Hurricane Patrick. Of course, IMHO, YMMV, and H2OMan is the expert here.

Julie