Why Can Bush Hire a Lawyer

when he wouldn't let Jose Padilla have one for two years? Apparently the prosecution and grand jury in the Valerie Plame case is circling in for the kill, and Bush and/or Cheney may be targets. Bush hired a private lawyer rather than use one of the many government lawyers at his disposal, a delicious bit of blowback from the Clinton witchhunt days. John Dean explains the implications of Bush hiring a private lawyer:

Suffice it to say that whatever the meaning of Bush's decision to talk with private counsel about the Valerie Plame leak, the matter has taken a more ominous turn with Bush's action. It has only become more portentous because now Dick Cheney has also hired a lawyer for himself, suggesting both men may have known more than they let on. Clearly, the investigation is heading toward a culmination of some sort. And it should be interesting.