Bush Commutes Libby's Prison Sentence

(CBS/AP)  President Bush spared former White House aide I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby from a 2½-year prison term in the CIA leak case Monday, stepping into a criminal case with heavy political overtones on grounds that the sentence was just too harsh.

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."

White House press secretary Tony Snow denied that the president acted under any pressure from Libby's friends, reports CBS News correspondent Bob Orr. He said Mr. Bush considered every option including a full pardon but decided commuting the sentence was the most appropriate course.

Libby was convicted in March of lying to authorities and obstructing the investigation into the 2003 leak of CIA operative's identity. He was the highest-ranking White House official ordered to prison since the Iran-Contra affair.

Reaction was harsh from Democrats.

"As Independence Day nears, we are reminded that one of the principles our forefathers fought for was equal justice under the law. This commutation completely tramples on that principle," Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., said through a spokesman.

Libby's supporters celebrated.

"That's fantastic. It's a great relief," said former Ambassador Richard Carlson, who helped raise millions for Libby's defense fund. "Scooter Libby did not deserve to go to prison and I'm glad the president had the courage to do this."

A message seeking comment from Special Prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald's office was not immediately returned.

Bush said Cheney's former aide was not getting off free.

"The reputation he gained through his years of public service and professional work in the legal community is forever damaged," Bush said. "His wife and young children have also suffered immensely. He will remain on probation. The significant fines imposed by the judge will remain in effect. The consequences of his felony conviction on his former life as a lawyer, public servant and private citizen will be long-lasting."

A spokeswoman for Cheney said simply, "The vice president supports the president's decision."

The president's announcement came just as prison seemed likely for Libby. He recently lost an appeals court fight that was his best chance to put the sentence on hold, and the U.S. Bureau of Prisons had already designated him inmate No. 28301-016.

Bush's statement made no mention of the term "pardon," and he made clear that he was not willing to wipe away all penalties for Libby.

The president noted Libby supporters' argument that the punishment did not fit the crime for a "first-time offender with years of exceptional public service."

Yet, he added, "Others point out that a jury of citizens weighed all the evidence and listened to all the testimony and found Mr. Libby guilty of perjury and obstructing justice. They argue, correctly, that our entire system of justice relies on people telling the truth. And if a person does not tell the truth, particularly if he serves in government and holds the public trust, he must be held accountable."

Bush then stripped away the prison time.

The leak case has hung over the White House for years. After CIA operative Valerie Plame's name appeared in a 2003 syndicated newspaper column, Special Prosecutor Fitzgerald questioned top administration officials, including Bush and Cheney, about their possible roles.

Nobody was ever charged with the leak, including Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage or White House political adviser Karl Rove, who provided the information for the original article. Prosecutors said Libby obstructed the investigation by lying about how he learned about Plame and whom he told.

Plame believes Libby and other White House officials conspired to leak her identity to reporters in 2003 as retribution against her husband, Joseph Wilson, who criticized what he said was the administration's misleading use of prewar intelligence on Iraq.

Attorney William Jeffress said he had spoken to Libby briefly by phone and "I'm happy at least that Scooter will be spared any prison time. ... The prison sentence was imminent but obviously the conviction itself is a heavy blow to Scooter."

[kissthesky--2008]

A true die hard American would never support an administration that puts our brave soldiers in harms way to make a profit.

A true die hard Americian would never support traitors, liars
and thieves.

A true die hard American would protect our U.S. Constitution
above any party affiliation.

A true die hard Americian would demand that our leaders uphold the highest standards of ethical conduct and would demand they be removed from office when they dishonor the
position entrusted to them.

You make one grave error in your commentary, assuming that
anyone denoucing the Bush administration must be a liberal Democrat.

Some of us are die hard Americans who do not put our blind faith in any party unless they earn our respect.

At this moment, I don't trust any of theses candidates as far as I can spit.

[fake-id-2009]

"No matter who runs for office, Democrats will lose, because over 50% of American voters do not want to turn the US into a socialist utopia." Posted by S_Temper at 03:21 AM : Jul 04, 2007
- - - - - - - - -

Damnnn... Talk about hyperbole!! Wow!! The "fear factor" at work (but not working very well).

A "socialist utopia!!" Holy *****, Batman! What do you think Bush was trying to do with his amnesty bill?

I've been living in this country since Roosevelt was president and I don't recall there ever being a "socialist utopia."

The "fear factor" is alive but not doing very well. The "over 50% of American voters" spoke in Nov 2006, they are speaking now (look at the polls), and they will speak again, more loudly, in Nov 2008.

True, Bush isn't running is 2008, but HIS party is. LOL!!! And contrary to your uninformed opinion, because of Bush, things aren't looking very well for the repugnicant party.

[nyteryder2]

"... Why don't you travel to China or Iran? Then you would learn first-hand what a "dictator" is. You are a fool." Posted by S_Temper at 06:41 AM : Jul 05, 2007
____________________

Actually, Iran has an elected president who "acts" like a dictator, just like we have an elected president and vice president, both of whom "act" like dictators.

What is a "loyal die-hard American?" Is it someone who closes a "blind eye" to government corruption? Does a "loyal die-hard American" roll over and play dead for a government that is slowly taking away his/her rights?

Tell us, S_Temper, what makes democrats so ignorant and you alone so smart?

[kissthesky--2008]

Many find it difficult to celebrate national pride
when our leadership shames all we stand for so blatantly.

[kissthesky--2008]

Quote from a friend

All man-made establishments have their better and worse times, but the government instituted those two centuries ago by those men has never seen worse times than now.

No previous executive branch has claimed the dictatorial powers that this one has: it ignores Congressional legislation by way of the fiat, in this case "signing statements"; it cloaks its method of operation from the people and their elected representatives; it brazenly flouts international law by condoning torture; it coddles and protects traitors; it ignores its own citizens in need of emergency help; it lines its pockets and those of its buddies, caring not one whit about the average working American; and worst of all, it creates and sustains a war-for-profit, murderously sacrificing young American lives for its own profit.

[kissthesky--2008]

"That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security."

I can think of no better time for us to listen to what they were saying.

[kissthesky--2008]

It costs the taxpayers about $50,000 per year to keep someone
in Federal Prison, so I guess we should all be jumping for joy
that this noble man has tossed us another crumb of tax cut
to benefit the rich.

George Bush

Is lower than the festering boils on the bottocks of a flea.

[greybeardvet]

Amazing how all the Republican candidates are in favor of the commuted sentence, and how pathetically clear it is that they are only pandering to the ultra right wing of their party. After the primary you can bet these heroes will stumble all over themselves to denounce Libby, Cheney, and maybe Bush. They're all unprincipled cowards.

And how is it not treason for Cheney and Libby to reveal the identity of a CIA agent? And how is it possible that Bush did not know about it all along? I think they are all traitors and should be dragged in front of a firing squad....after being convicted of course.

[bloggerlady]

Something is wrong when Paris Hilton has to serve her sentence and Scooter Libby goes free. The outcry for Paris to serve her sentence was to show that the justice system works equally for the rich as well as the poor. Now the president has flouted the justice system entirely, showing that it works equally for the rich and the poor but not for the politically well-connected. What kind of message does this send to our citizenry. Please, America, next time, elect someone more in tune with our nation's moral standards.

[parakeet57]

As history well-illustrates, empires crumble from within, and the diminishing of ethics is usually the first step. Let%u2019s just hope that the next generation of politicians coming along will be able to repair what has been damaged, in the eyes of the people.