Cheney Says He Can Declassify Secrets

"Cheney Invokes Monarchal Powers, Claims That He Can Unilaterally Declassify Information. This is to Protect Him from Libby's Claim that Cheney Authorized Him to Use Classified Information to Go After Joe Wilson with a Chainsaw."--BUZZFLASH

By PETE YOST, Associated Press WriterThu Feb 16, 8:36 AM ET

Vice President Dick Cheney says he has the power to declassify government secrets, raising the possibility that he authorized his former chief of staff to pass along sensitive prewar data on Iraq to reporters.

Cheney coupled his statement in a TV interview Wednesday with an endorsement of I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, his ex-aide. Libby is under indictment on charges of perjury, obstruction and lying to the FBI about disclosing the identity of undercover CIA officer Valerie Plame.

"Scooter is entitled to the presumption of innocence," Cheney told Fox News Channel. "He is a great guy. I worked with him for a long time. I have tremendous regard for him. I may well be called as a witness at some point in the case, and it is therefore inappropriate for me to comment on any facet of the case."