White House Backs Down

Sources have indicated that the White House will back down on its request for an exemption allowing the CIA to torture and removing any ability to prosecute those who are found to torture. This is good, but it is still curious as to why the White House was so adamant until now on these provisions. Furthermore, I think the change represents the weakness of the Vice President since Scooter Libby was indicted and was forced to resign. It also might be a signal of the reputed rift between Bush and Cheney over Iraq.