Via written statement, President George W. Bush issues a virtual commutation to the 30-month prison term of Lewis "Scooter" Libby, formerly Vice President Dick Cheney's chief of staff. Libby was convicted of perjury and obstruction of justice.
A pardon was expected but after the appeals process had been exhausted.
Libby was prosecuted by a Republican special prosecutor and sentenced by a Republican federal judge who was appointed by the President. Historically, Bush has been adverse to pardons or convictions. As governor of Texas, he ignored the pleas of Pope John Paul to pardon or commute Karla Faye Tucker.
Some Background ...
Judge Rules Libby Cannot Remain Free [R20]
Rice on Libby: "He Served the Country Well" [R20]
Libby Sentenced to 30 Months [R20]
Let this commutation be a good civics lesson to all of our young people.
Posted by: Jim | 02 July 2007 at 23:33
The height of arrogance. The unfortunate reality is that he knows it doesn't matter. Bush and Cheney have nothing to lose.
Posted by: caleb rexter | 03 July 2007 at 07:36
There is just no end to this... January 20, 2009 please hurry up!
Posted by: C. Baptiste-Williams | 03 July 2007 at 08:30
It's upsetting...
Libby gets off...HOW??
Is the dirt he has on Bush that much that Dubya gives him a get out of jail free card?
Will Libby and Bush give Valerie Plame an apology outing her as a CIA operative in the Middle East, because they didnt like her husband and his politics?
It's never going to end, and 20 Januaray 2009 is NOT coming quickly enough, C. Baptiste!
Posted by: Ryan | 03 July 2007 at 20:47
I heard a caller on NPR say the reason Libby got a commuted sentence and not a pardon right now (which we all know is coming if his case loses on appeal), is that while his case is on appeal, he can't be asked to testify against anyone else in the administration. So Bush has simply found the perfect way to keep Libby quiet.
Posted by: Mark | 05 July 2007 at 21:27