Cheney claims that outing covert agents is part of his official duties

From the Washington Post:

Cheney's attorney went further, arguing that Cheney is legally akin to the president because of his unique government role and has absolute immunity from any lawsuit.

You're probably thinking, "What about Bill Clinton? Didn't he get sued?" Not to worry. Cheney's lawyers claim that was different, because Clinton's argument was frivolous and self-serving.

U.S. District Judge John D. Bates asked: "So you're arguing there is nothing -- absolutely nothing -- these officials could have said to reporters that would have been beyond the scope of their employment," whether the statements were true or false?

"That's true, Your Honor. Mr. Wilson was criticizing government policy," said Jeffrey S. Bucholtz, deputy assistant attorney general for the Justice Department's civil division. "These officials were responding to that criticism."

I suppose if they'd had Wilson taken out and shot, they'd consider it part of their official duties, too.