Nothing to see here. Just one scoundrel helping out another.

Bush Commutes Libby Prison Sentence

President Bush commuted the sentence of former White House aide I. Lewis “Scooter” Libby on Monday, sparing him from a 2 1/2-year prison term that Bush said was excessive. Bush’s move came hours after a federal appeals panel ruled Libby could not delay his prison term in the CIA leak case.

That meant Libby was likely to have to report to prison soon and put new pressure on the president, who had been sidestepping calls by Libby’s allies to pardon the former chief of staff to Vice President Dick Cheney.

“I respect the jury’s verdict,” Bush said in a statement. “But I have concluded that the prison sentence given to Mr. Libby is excessive. Therefore, I am commuting the portion of Mr. Libby’s sentence that required him to spend thirty months in prison.”

Bush left intact a $250,000 fine and two years probation for Libby, and Bush said his action still “leaves in place a harsh punishment for Mr. Libby.”



  1. Thomas says:

    > Nothing to see here. Just one scoundrel
    > helping out another

    Come on Uncle Dave. Don’t sugar coat it; tell us what you really think.

  2. Uncle Dave says:

    What, that I think Bush & Cheney should be impeached? Why would I say that?

  3. doug says:

    so the GOP is now the Soft on Crime party. Well, Daddy did his duty by the Iran-Contra criminals, so I guess its just like father, like son.

  4. mark says:

    I am just speechless. I figured he would at least wait a minute or two. So the moral of this story is…………….this President cares not for the country, what it stands for, its laws, his party, and his own legacy. But at least we know where he stands.

  5. Iamanassholetoo says:

    Despicable, predictable, and IMHO CRIMINAL.
    Time to impeach.

  6. Matthew says:

    Chimpeach!

  7. doug says:

    Scoot no do time, Scoot no squeal. No book deal for Scoot until 2009 …

  8. RTaylor says:

    Everyone knew this was coming. He still might get a full pardon at the end of Bushes term.

  9. Aaron says:

    It is sad that Bush showed no clemency to Karla Faye Tucker with her request to be sentenced to life in prison. He had her put to death even though the Pope and many Christian groups requested he reconsider it.

    A couple of hardcore Repukes want their buddy Scooter not to go to jail for a couple months and he rolls over.

    What a load. Kiss the Repukes away in 2008.

  10. moss says:

    Why is anyone surprised?

    Wasn’t the only question all along – when would he pardon Libby?

    Just another reason why conservatives and Republicans of conscience divorced themselves from this corrupt cabal. This will help pick out the true hypocrites – when they clamber on board the bandwagon to defend further the obscenity in command.

    We all know who we expect to show up here and defend this crap. Either that – or they’ll lie low for a spell – or change their alias.

  11. Dallas says:

    The 4th of July holidays and the iPhone media hype is just the cover needed !

  12. Trat For says:

    Hate to tell you this is nothing new.
    Since the dawn of history such is the story.
    Plato wrote that there were two laws in essence – one for the ordinary and one for the wealthy and / or powerful
    The oldest profession is prostitution
    The second oldest is politics.
    At least prosititutes make a honest living

  13. Arrius says:

    I think people are over reacting. He excused his prison sentence that many people with knowledge of the situation believed was excessive. Bush doesnt have to justify his pardons, god knows Clinton never did (here is a good read: http://www.usdoj.gov/opa/pardonchartlst.htm), but I think his full statement was well worded, obviously someone wrote this in his place. In a case where everyones story changed and no one seemed sure who knew what, calling Libby an outright liar that should spend years in prison is a little far fetched. I dont have the vitriolic hate towards *all* things Bush that many of you have so I might be different. I wont bother mentioning the other points of his punishment that Bush could have but didnt pardon.

  14. sdf says:

    Bush – what an a-hole

  15. doug says:

    #13. I lived through the 90s and I am SO glad that the GOP is is the position of saying, “But, but, but, he isn’t as as bad as Clinton!”

    wheee!

  16. Jägermeister says:

    #14

    That pretty much sums it up.

  17. Improbus says:

    I am sure that LIbby’s “fine” will paid out of his hush money. Dick never forgets his friends.

  18. OhForTheLoveOf says:

    There are a lot of posts that say something to the effect of “it’s always been that way, nothing new, that’s the way it is, to be expected, etc…”

    Here is my question…

    Are you just gonna go “ho hum” and roll over like sheep? Or are you gonna let somebody know how you feel? Do you know how to write a letter? Do you have a stamp? Would you like me to give you a stamp?

    Thanks for pointing out that it isn’t a surprise. As if anyone here actually is surprised.

    Now, what are you gonna do about about? Anything? Even the smallest gesture will, collectively, be helpful…

    So do something… Or just quit bitching about getting the government you so clearly deserve. The cranky cynical geek motif is only cute for so long… but once it becomes a way of life it just becomes a self fulfilling prophesy and sounds pathetic.

  19. doug says:

    #18. It has been long noted that the most corrosive public attitude is not anger, not hatred, not ignorance, but rather cynicism.

  20. Mr. Fusion says:

    1) Impeach Bush & President Cheney.

    2)Subpoena Libby to testify before Congress about the Valarie Plame affair. Under Oath.

    3)Subpoena Libby to testify before Congress about the US Attorneys being fired.

    4)Subpoena Libby to testify about who authorized the warrantless wiretapping.

    Send the Capitol Police to arrest Libby if he refuses to to appear.

  21. bobbo says:

    Too bad the constitution is “so short.” Otherwise it could go into detail re the pardon power like “A Limitation on said pardon power shall be that no Presnit can pardon those charged with crimes in furtherance of the Presnits hold on power.”

    If Libby told the truth, I wonder who would have been implicated. I’m just glad Bush is just a failed Harvard MBA and not a twisted lawyer.

  22. OhForTheLoveOf says:

    #19 – I would have thought it apathy, but as a cynic being guilty myself, I think you may be right…

  23. Jerk-Face says:

    So does this make Bush the Commuter Guy?

  24. Matthew says:

    “He excused his prison sentence that many people with knowledge of the situation believed was excessive”

    12 particular people with knowledge of the situation sentenced him to two+ years.

  25. David K. says:

    This is much the same as the conservative side of the spectrum reacting to all the people Clinton pardoned, including a family member. It’s all pretty shady, but it’s a power we afford the President…any president.

    But while you’re screaming for Bush’s head, do consider the fact that what he did, while it smacks of favoritism, was not a full pardon. That would have wiped the entire incident from Libby’s record. Bush simply commuted the jail-time portion of his sentence. In comparison, the last-minute pen strokes Clinton did were full pardons…free and clear of wrongdoing, without a trace of a record.

  26. OvenMaster says:

    You’re doing a heck of a job, Bushie!

    One more reason for popularity ratings to sink even further.

  27. bobbo says:

    25–and posting the blindingly obvious does what? Bush did this during his term==showing complete disdain for law. Clinton did the same but at the very end thereby showing some self awareness? But yes, lets compare negatives re those in power who dont get tarred and feathered.

    19 & 22==Dont lose heart. Of course its apathy==Knowing and not caring or taking any action vs Knowing and not expecting more still leaves room for taking action.

  28. Mike says:

    #21, actually, I would say that brevity is one of the many strengths of the U.S. Constitution.

  29. prophet says:

    #25 – David K. – So what? Because Clinton was shady asshole we must excuse this corrupt criminal? Not hardly!

    There is no excuse for what this administration has done to us (the people), the Constitution, and civil liberties.

  30. Mister Mustard says:

    >>while it smacks of favoritism, was not a full pardon.

    Hey, much as the country wishes otherwise, Dumbya’s term is not over YET. He had to act fast to keep his sacrificial lamb from doing a Paris Hilton. He still has the opportunity to pardon the guy in Jan 2009.

    And also, for someone to be pardoned, they have to admit guilt before they can be pardoned. Scootie hasn’t exhausted his appeals yet, so what’s he got to lose? He can drag that out until Bush’s term is over (and avoid having to pay the $250,000 while his case is being appealed), and THEN get the pardon. Dumbya’s not smart enough to have figured this out by himself, so you KNOW Der Kommisar Rove is behind it.


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