After it was reported that Richard Armitage accidently leaked Valerie Plame’s identity and Fitzgerald decided not to indict Rove it appeared there might have been an obstruction of justice charge which could stick against Libby, but it no longer looked like there was enough to do serious harm to the Bush administration. The first day of trial has changed this impression. Once again there are questions of whether both Dick Cheney and Karl Rove will ultimately be accused of crimes.
Early testimony include charges of Libby destroying evidence of Cheney’s involvement, and of Dick Cheney being involved in the cover-up, instructing Libby to go around normal protocol. The defense isn’t exactly helping the White House either as Libby’s defense is that he is a scapegoat to cover for Karl Rove. Digby reports that Norah O’Donnell asked Andy Card and Leon Panetta if the President is going to have to ask Dick Cheney to resign as a result of what’s being alleged at the Libby Trial.
