Scooter gets his [first] day in court

This will be the first of many court appearances for the top aide to Cheney and Bush:

Vice President Dick Cheney's former chief of staff is making his first court appearance since his indictment in the CIA leak investigation, a case in which Bush administration officials including Cheney could be summoned to testify.

I. Lewis Libby was expected to plead innocent Thursday before U.S. District Judge Reggie Walton.

Libby signaled his client's determination to fight the charges after last week's grand jury indictment, which has provided more fuel to the political debate over the White House's possible misuse of prewar intelligence on Iraq. The Libby case stems from a 22-month criminal investigation by Special Counsel Patrick Fitzgerald.

The Libby case is going to be headline news for months to come. Watch the pressure start building among the GOP punditry for Scooter to cut a deal. For example, former GOP congressman Vin Weber was on the Today Show saying that it would be better if this were wrapped up quickly. That's code for: Scooter, cut a deal.

Scooter wants to prove his innocence. The White House wants to save Bush and Cheney.