Fleischer begins by explaining the duites of the WH press spokesperson: “talking to the press, both formally and informally” and communicating with them in a variety of ways, including the “press briefing” and “press gaggle.” (The former is on camera, and on the record; the latter is off-camera but still on the record.)

He is then questioned about his grant of immunity. His understanding of it is that he cannot be prosecuted for what he did with information he was provided in the course of doing his job — but that he was compelled to be truthful and not perjure himself, and if he does so, he can be prosecuted for being untruthful.

As befits a former top spokesman, Fleischer is composed and articulate on the witness stand. He handles questions about the “sixteen words” in the State of the Union address with ease. Through late spring, he was asked about it by the press but told reporters there was other evidence that might have supported the claim that Iraq had sought uranium from Niger. Later it emerged that the information the White House had used “was wrong in its entirety.”

He is then asked about Ambassador Joe Wilson’s Op-Ed article in the New York Times claiming that the Administration had twisted and manipulated intelligence about the Niger incident in order to lead the nation into war. He said there was little new in the article, other than the identity of Wilson.

When asked by reporters after Wilson’s article appeared as to its validity, Fleischer began to back off his earlier statements that there was other evidence of the validity of the claim that Iraq had sought uranium from Niger to facilitate WMD production. “I was told the ground was shifting” on the subject, Fleischer recalls, then notes jocularly that “the worst place to stand as press spokesman is where the ground is shifting…”

As a result, he began telling reporters he could no longer be sure on the subject.

Fleischer is then questioned about a meeting in July with Scooter Libby. Libby told him that Wilson’s wife had sent him to Africa, and that she worked at CIA. The subject came up in the context of the briefing, when Fleischer had been asked about Wilson’s trip.

“I just remembered he said she worked at CIA, and in the counter-proliferation division,” Fleischer said. Libby told him it was “hush-hush” information. In any event, Fleischer had never heard of Plame or her CIA status before. He was not told that the information was classified, or information that he could not use.

“What was the significance of Libby’s remark that Plame worked at CIA?” the prosecution asks. Before Fleischer can respond, the judge announces a break for lunch.