Was encounter with Cheney a touch, a slap or a shove?

A Colorado man had an encounter with the vice president, but no one, including Secret Service agents, agrees on what happened. Could Cheney be forced to testify?
By DeeDee Correll
Los Angeles Times Staff Writer

February 4, 2008

DENVER — No one can agree on what exactly happened the day a Colorado man spotted Dick Cheney strolling the streets of a ski resort town and decided to give the vice president a piece of his mind.

Steve Howards, 55, says he walked up to Cheney and delivered his message -- "Your policies in Iraq are disgusting" -- then lightly touched the vice president's shoulder.

The White House photographer says he saw Howards slap Cheney on the back.

Cheney's personal aide remembers Howards placing his hand on Cheney's arm and shaking his hand.

As for the Secret Service agents who arrested Howards on suspicion of assault: two say he lightly clapped Cheney on the shoulder; one demonstrated it as a shove; a fourth said Howards reached over several small children and struck Cheney.

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