Bush Won't Rule Out Libby Pardon

President Rules "Nothing Out" For Ex-White House Aid Convicted In CIA Leak Trial

(CBS/AP)  President Bush on Tuesday refused to rule out an eventual pardon for former White House aide I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby.

"As to the future, I rule nothing in and nothing out," the president said a day after commuting Libby's 2½-year prison term in the CIA leak case.

Mr. Bush said he had weighed his decision carefully to erase Libby's prison time. He said the jury's conviction of Libby should stand but that the 30-month prison term was too severe.

"I made a judgment, a considered judgment," the president said. "I stand by it."

Mr. Bush spoke to reporters after visiting wounded soldiers at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

Just a short time earlier, Mr. Bush's chief spokesman, Tony Snow, had declined to rule out the possibility of an eventual pardon and called the president satisfied with his decision to commute Libby's 2 1/2-year prison sentence.

"He thought any jail time was excessive. He did not see fit to have Scooter Libby taken to jail," Snow said.

The spokesman told reporters at a White House briefing that even with Mr. Bush's decision, Libby remains with a felony conviction on his record, two years' probation, a $250,000 fine and probable loss of his legal career. "So this is hardly a slap on the wrist," Snow said. "It is a very severe penalty.

By commuting Libby’s sentence instead of pardoning him, the president is trying to have it both ways, says CBS News legal analyst Andrew Cohen.

“The conservative base gets what it wants and the president still can try to make the pitch that by refusing to do a pardon he's still giving some deference and respect to the jury's verdict and to the trial judge,” says Cohen.

Pardons, which wipe away the conviction, are relatively common, reports CBS News senior White House correspondent Bill Plante. The president's father pardoned Caspar Weinberger before he went to trial in the Iran-Contra case. President Clinton pardoned financier Marc Rich on his last day in office.

Commutations, the shortening of a sentence, are much rarer. Richard Nixon let labor leader Jimmy Hoffa out of prison, and Jimmy Carter commuted the sentence of Patty Hearst.

U.S. District Judge Reggie Walton, who sentenced Libby to prison, declined Tuesday to discuss the case or his views on sentencing. "To now say anything about sentencing on the heels of yesterday's events will inevitably be construed as comments on the president's commutation decision, which would be inappropriate," the judge said in an e-mail.

With prison seeming all but certain for Libby, Mr. Bush on Monday suddenly spared the former chief of staff to Vice President Dick Cheney. His move came just five hours after a federal appeals court panel ruled that Libby could not delay his prison term. The Bureau of Prisons had already assigned Libby a prison identification number.

Reporters pressed Snow several times on whether the president might eventually grant a full pardon to Libby, who had been convicted of lying and conspiracy in the CIA leak investigation. The press secretary declined to say anything categorically.

"The reason I will say I'm not going to close a door on a pardon is simply this: that Scooter Libby may petition for one," Snow said. "But the president has done what he thinks is appropriate to resolve this case."

"There is always a possibility — or there's an avenue open — for anybody to petition for consideration of a pardon," he added.

Asked whether Cheney had weighed in on the decision to commute Libby's sentence, Snow said, "I don't have direct knowledge. But on the other hand, the president did consult with most senior officials, and I'm sure that everybody had an opportunity to share their views."

Democrats sharply criticized Mr. Bush's decision. Republicans were more subdued, with some welcoming the decision and some conservatives saying Mr. Bush should have gone further.

"Libby's conviction was the one faint glimmer of accountability for White House efforts to manipulate intelligence and silence critics of the Iraq war," said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. "Now, even that small bit of justice has been undone."

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said Mr. Bush's decision showed the president "condones criminal conduct."

House Republican Whip Roy Blunt of Missouri applauded the decision, saying, "President Bush did the right thing today in commuting the prison term for Scooter Libby. The prison sentence was overly harsh and the punishment did not fit the crime."

Perhaps the most colorful response belonged to Illinois Democrat Sen. Richard Durbin: "When it comes to the law, there should not be two sets of rules — one for President Bush and Vice President Cheney and another for the rest of America. Even Paris Hilton had to go to jail. No one in this administration should be above the law."

Special Prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald disputed the president's assertion that the prison term was excessive. Libby was sentenced under the same laws as other criminals, Fitzgerald said. "It is fundamental to the rule of law that all citizens stand before the bar of justice as equals."

Libby's attorney, Theodore Wells, said in a statement that the Libby family was grateful for Mr. Bush's action and continued to believe in his innocence.

However, Libby remains the highest-ranking White House official convicted of a crime since the Iran-Contra affair.

"Anyway you slice it, this isn't a great moment for President Bush, historian Douglas Brinkley told CBS' The Early Show. "History will not look kindly on the president for rendering this verdict."

Libby won't have to serve a day in prison, a fact that his friends cheered, even those who wished he'd received a full pardon.

"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."

Former Tennessee Senator Fred Thompson, a likely Republican candidate for president, said, "While for a long time I have urged a pardon for Scooter, I respect the president's decision. This will allow a good American, who has done a lot for his country, to resume his life."

In addition to the $250,000 fine, Libby must endure two years probation for his conviction of lying and obstructing justice in a probe into the leak of a CIA operative's identity. The former operative, Valerie Plame, contends the White House was trying to discredit her husband, former Ambassador Joseph Wilson, a critic of Mr. Bush's Iraq policy.

"For him to turn around and offer clemency to a traitor in a case in which his office and the office of the vice president are directly implicated is an outrage and Americans should be outraged," Wilson said.

[mike71067]

Thank goodness. The Dumbocrats' attempt at a "whitewater"-type investigation has been undone, at least partially. The whole investigation was to determine who "leaked" Plame's name to the press - the investigation is now closed, and nobody's been convicted of that charge. It was a politically-moticated investigation. Joe Wilson lied his arse off, and nobody's questioning him.

[gkc99]

No political party is more corrupt than the Repugniscums. They mouth off about respect for law, but their Fuhrer Bushit pardons a convicted felon. True, it should be Bushit's controller, Darth, going to prison, but Libby chose to take the fall. Now like a Mafia don, Bushit waves his puny hand.

The big laugh will be when the neocons get all preachy about illegal immigrants breaking the law.

[luvny-2009]

Is anyone really surprised. There is nothing that a$$hole won't do!

[bluestardad]

HEY IS BUSHIT GOING TO PARDON MARK FOLEY?

[mike71067]

You Dumbocrats had no problem with Bill Clinton committing purjury, did you. I guess that (D) after Clinton's name is all that matters to you.

Incidentally, you morons who want to impeach Bush and Cheney have no grounds on which to do so. As much as you hate them, they did not commit any impeachable offenses. "Oh, but he LIED - PEOPLE DIED!!" Stop it - you know better. He had the same information that the Dumbocrats had, and they came to the same conclusions that he did. If you don't want to accept that, I suggest you listen to some of Hillary's speeches from before the invasion.

[wordamus]

I guess Illegal Immigration is so last week!!!!

[neobrian-2009]

Surprise! Surprise ! Is there ANY Ethics at all in this administration ??Only the ones they portrayed before 'Stealing the elections'..Just another bookmark for historians to easily conclude the truth.This chapter of our history will be seen as " Corruption Central Unlimited "where nothing is off limits.

[mike71067]

For you Dumbocrats, here's a list of the people pardoned by Clinton during his reign:

http://www.usdoj.gov/pardon/clintonpardon_grants.htm

At least Bush didn't pardon Libby, he left the fine and the felony conviction intact.

[hungry1968]

Thank goodness. The Dumbocrats' attempt at a "whitewater"-type investigation has been undone, at least partially. The whole investigation was to determine who "leaked" Plame's name to the press - the investigation is now closed, and nobody's been convicted of that charge. It was a politically-moticated investigation. Joe Wilson lied his arse off, and nobody's questioning him.
Posted by mike71067 at 08:10 AM : Jul 03, 2007

This wasn't a "whitewater" type investigation. In Whitewater, a group of investors lost $250,000. When the Republicans found out about it, they launched an investigation that ended up costing $55 million and found that there was no wrong doing. It ended up being a simple zoning issue.

In the Libby case, an undercover CIA operative in the field, had her identity exposed. It could have easily led to her, or other agents, being killed. During the course of the investigation, Libby lied to the investigators. The investigation ended up dying without the perpetrator being exposed, in part, because Libby's lie impeded the investigation.

[infidel_us]

If I were a democrat, I would hang my head in shame.

[donnie900]

blond chicks drive me crazy *twitch*

[mike71067]

"In the Libby case, an undercover CIA operative in the field, had her identity exposed. It could have easily led to her, or other agents, being killed. During the course of the investigation, Libby lied to the investigators. The investigation ended up dying without the perpetrator being exposed, in part, because Libby's lie impeded the investigation."

Posted by hungry1968 at 08:22 AM : Jul 03, 2007

Come off it! Plame's "undercover" status at the time is questionable, and the reason that nobody was convicted of "leaking" Plame's identity is because Richard Armitage is the one who did it (inadvertently), and nobody wanted to look any further into that.

[j_flood]

Republicans = criminals, democrats - criminals. The difference is that the republicans live by the 'inside the beltway' law and forgive their own. Ford made history by doing and now the bush himself joins the ranks of 'forgivers' - add that name to his 'decider' nickname. For gosh sakes, even Paris did her time, it took a couple of goes - but she did it.

[neoconrcrazy]

If I were a neocon repub, I'd finally start withdrawing my head from my azzz and ask; what the helll is going on?

[drummer94]

UH huh. Anybody suprised? You repugnicants, here is another poster-boy for ya's. Grand Old Party? Grand Old Joke. Look at what you have become. Sad. Nobody thought scoot was gonna do one day. That's how screwedup Washington is these days. The arrogance is beyond compare. Sheesh.

[glb1969]

Another travesty of justice at the hands of the most corrupt and morally bankrupt president we have had to suffer since Hoover. Maybe this will wake up the democratic leadership to impeach bush and execute him for being a traitor to humanity. No other punishment is fitting.

[hungry1968]

Stop it - you know better. He had the same information that the Dumbocrats had, and they came to the same conclusions that he did.
Posted by mike71067 at 08:14 AM : Jul 03, 2007

That's a bold faced lie. He was looking for a reason to invade Iraq from the day he was elected. In fact, he should have made it part of his campaign in the 2000 election. He tried to tie Iraq in with 9/11, and when he couldn't. He kept looking until he found something. He then had the CIA "create" intelligence "proving" that Iraq had WMD's. All of their "proof" came from the defector "curveball", that both Germany and France said was highly unreliable. That was the information provided to Congress.

Not that it matters - the Republican Congress would have voted to invade Jupiter if Bush wanted them to.

[starleo146]

Libby the fall guy for Cheney, he chose to be the fall guy, thinking it would not involve so much . "What can they do to me. I can't remember," Cheney and Bush thought a fine, probation, but obstruction of justice is more serious --30 months --$250000--and probation. "My god Bush",said Cheney, "If he goes to prison he will talk," we got to do something, I see books, and maybe a movie, prison for us ,do something Georgie. Lets wait till the last minute, maybe they will let him stay out for his appeal,if not I'll do something.Hey Georgie they won't let him stay out he is going today, they already gave him a prison number, do something,Georgie, do Something, or I am toast, says Cheney,Ok I will commute his sentence and call it excessive, I don't care what you do, but do something and fast.America the hell with the justice system I am bigger than that. You neocon who say great, I say God help us at the voting booth with people who think like you.

[hungry1968]

Come off it! Plame's "undercover" status at the time is questionable, and the reason that nobody was convicted of "leaking" Plame's identity is because Richard Armitage is the one who did it (inadvertently), and nobody wanted to look any further into that.
Posted by mike71067 at 08:24 AM : Jul 03, 2007

Did the "leaker" check to make sure that she wasn't "undercover"? If they didn't, then whether or not she was undercover is a moot point. No matter how you look at it - Libby lied to the investigators. Martha Stewart did the same thing and she went to a federal prison for it. I hope she sues the federal government.

[mike71067]

"No indictment against the Clintons came out of the Whitewater investigation. Libby is convicted of purjury in an investigation to find out who exposed and compromised a national security asset...there is a big differnce."
-Posted by ozilot at 08:17 AM : Jul 03, 2007

Right. And there was no indictment against Bush or Cheney either. As with the Clintons in Whitewater, it was their buddies who took the rap. Thank God Bush had the b*a*l*l*s to step in and shove this down the Dumbocrats' throats. I wish he had granted Libby a full pardon, but this is good enough. That whole Plame investigation was a joke. Her husband lied numerous times, and nobody cared. Richard Armitage admitted to accidentally exposing Plame, and nobody cared. They wanted Bush and Cheney's blood at any expense. All they got was Scooter Libby.

This is a great day!

[donnie900]

hey thanks man

[prinzowhales]

I'm sure the Democrats will see justice done... just as they put an end to the war. The comics have killed Captain 'America'--the Democrats and Republicans have killed America. Just what does one wear to attend the destruction of a nation?

[starleo146]

I forgot one thing the $250,000 Cheney is a millionaire, and no bank deposit to Libby, give him the cash and pay the fine, who knows Haliburton could have paid his fine,one sure thing if you are a fall guy, and did your job well, and kept your mouth shut, you Libby will not pay, we will take care of it. Do you get it neocons if you think the administration is still right I say I am glad you are not my neighbor.

[donnie900]

"I'm sure the Democrats will see justice done... just as they put an end to the war. The comics have killed Captain 'America'--the Democrats and Republicans have killed America. Just what does one wear to attend the destruction of a nation?"

Shoes.

[hungry1968]

Posted by mike71067 at 08:29 AM : Jul 03, 2007

You're an idiot. You're exactly the kind of person that keeps electing and re-electing the criminals into office because you're blindly ignorant. No other reason - just blind ignorance. You like to see Haliburton making billions of dollars while our treasury is drained, you like seeing dead American soldier statistics on the news, and you like seeing criminals being pardoned. You're pathetic. Keep your blinders on.

[starleo146]

Have you noticed the republicans are out today loud and clear you think you will change our minds NEVER this administration belongs in HAIG for war crimes and then to our justice system as soon as we clean it up for all the dirty tricks and Cheney is the number one GESTAPO.

[houser123]

Did anyone really think Libby would get to prison? Come on now; raise your hand if you thought so. We need to see how many naove people post to this board. Bush was hoping that the court would rule that Libby could remain free pending his appeal which would take it into next year. If he lost his appeal, it would be several more months before he would have to start serving. By that time the elections would be over and Bush would give him a full pardon. Since that did not happen, Bush%u2019s second choice was to commute the sentence. Look for a full pardon before Bush leaves office and after the 08 elections. Libby has been around a long time and knows where all the skeletons are buried. In no way is Bush going to allow Libby to serve time and start telling his story. He may strike a book deal that would be worth millions to him and time will tell if he decides to tell the whole truth. Anyone remember Clinton pardoning Marc Rich? Rich was convicted of income tax evasion. His wife was a close friend of the Clintons and had made campaign and library contributions. He was ordered to pay 100MM as part of his pardon agreement. Lots of money huh? Guess who Rich%u2019s attorney was. Mr. Scooter Libby.

[mike71067]

You are as stupid as you are greedy...choke on it!
Go tell that bushit to the convicted felons who have to serve their time. Where is the equality in our justice system.
-Posted by ozilot at 08:24 AM : Jul 03, 2007

I'm sorry, but you are an idiot, and your mom should have had an abortion. Check out the list of convicted criminals that were pardoned by your idol, Bill Clinton:

http://www.usdoj.gov/pardon/cl
intonpardon_grants.htm

"You like to see Haliburton making billions of dollars while our treasury is drained, you like seeing dead American soldier statistics on the news, and you like seeing criminals being pardoned. You're pathetic. Keep your blinders on."
-Posted by hungry1968 at 08:37 AM : Jul 03, 2007

You're even more mentally retarded than ozilot. Bill Clinton awarded contracts to Halliburton all throughout his reign.

[dogband]

Anyone who can read and think knew this was coming.

This is a pardon for a traitor, given by the WORST PRESIDENT in the history of our country.

Americans should take to the streets and demand an IMPEACHMENT and indictment of war crimes against Bush and Cheney.

[starleo146]

Have you noticed the republicans are out today loud and clear you think you will change our minds NEVER this administration belongs in HAIG for war crimes, and then to our justice system as soon as we clean it up, for all the dirty tricks and Cheney is the number one GESTAPO.

[ianlou]

At least Bush didn't pardon Libby, he left the fine and the felony conviction intact.
Posted by mike71067 at 08:20 AM : Jul 03, 2007

No Bush got him off the hook for jail time.
Next, Bush will find some way to pay his $250K fine with our tax dollars and then he'll give him a full pardon on his way out of office.

At least Bush didn't pardon Libby, he left the fine and the felony conviction intact.
Posted by mike71067 at 08:20 AM : Jul 03, 2007

No Bush got him off the hook for jail time.
Next, Bush will find some way to pay his $250K fine with our tax dollars and then he'll give him a full pardon on his way out of office.

JUST WATCH!!!

Also, I can still hear the Rebub mantra concerning Clinton...

"It wasn%u2019t the *** act itself, it was the fact that he lied about it!"

I wonder if Scooter's pardon will end that diatribe, probably not.

[hungry1968]

I forgot one thing the $250,000 Cheney is a millionaire, and no bank deposit to Libby, give him the cash and pay the fine, who knows Haliburton could have paid his fine,one sure thing if you are a fall guy, and did your job well, and kept your mouth shut, you Libby will not pay, we will take care of it. Do you get it neocons if you think the administration is still right I say I am glad you are not my neighbor.
Posted by starleo146 at 08:35 AM : Jul 03, 2007

They already said that there is enough money left in his defense fund to pay the $250,000 fine at least three times over. Basically all he gets out of this is probation.

[donnie900]

Yup. It was an accident. Thats all it was. And BAM! All this.. pretty amazing huh?

[barbaraf4]

Libby fell on his sword for Cheney. There are still millions in Libby's legal defense fund, I am sure they can find a loophole to pay that fine.

I just can't understand the lack of shame by any of these people. I'd be embarrassed to show my face.

[mike71067]

"Americans should take to the streets and demand an IMPEACHMENT and indictment of war crimes against Bush and Cheney."
-Posted by dogband at 08:39 AM : Jul 03, 2007

Wow! The Dumbocrats are really crying in their Paxil this morning, aren't they? Let's all hold hands and sing James Taylor tunes until we feel better.

[hungry1968]

You're even more mentally retarded than ozilot. Bill Clinton awarded contracts to Halliburton all throughout his reign.
Posted by mike71067 at 08:39 AM : Jul 03, 2007

Funny how you didn't deny the fact that you like seeing more American soldiers being killed.

The republicans have just taken over as the greatest threat to our national security. Just one more failure in the log list of failures of this administration and the rest of the republican scum*bags.

[ianlou]

IN YOUR FACE DEMOCRATS..LOL
Posted by b48151 at 08:16 AM : Jul 03, 2007

This is actually good news for the Democrates. After all, Scooter is really guilty of little more than being Cheney's patsy.

Perhaps this will **** off Congress enough to go after the Big Fish.

[donnie900]

The national security world is a world of perfection. And thats no mistake! Thats no accident. Cuz those people make mistakes? And all hell breaks loose.

[drummer94]

There is no shame in the white house. Or brains. Or conscience. Or heart. Or pride. Or decency. Or.............................................

[aaabee-2009]

Shoes.
Posted by donnie900 at 08:36 AM : Jul 03, 2007

Donnie, will you hold my hand?

[mike71067]

"Funny how you didn't deny the fact that you like seeing more American soldiers being killed."
-Posted by hungry1968 at 08:44 AM : Jul 03, 2007

You're a complete idiot, and I wish your mom had either kept her legs closed or taken it in the arse. Of course I don't want to see Americans killed. I know people in the military. I didn't respond to that bizarre statement because I didn't feel it was worth it.

[deborahcox05]

I am not surprised that traitor Bush let his master Chaney's boy off the hook. Is anyone surprised?

We need to divide this country in half and put the republicans on one side and the democrats on the other. This country is completely divided and every move one party makes - makes the other party mad!

I think we need to agree to disagree and I am sick of the republicans acting like they are the superior bunch.

Personally, I would rather see someone in the White House who is *** a woman than someone in the White House *** the country!!!!

Bush needs to be charged with treason!!!

[donnie900]

"Donnie, will you hold my hand?"

Yes. :)

[ianlou]

If I were a democrat, I would hang my head in shame.
Posted by infidel_us at 08:22 AM : Jul 03, 2007

Funny, last time I checked, everyone involved in the conviction of Scooter were Republicans from the prosecutor to the judges.

[bombadil4]

Moron that he is, DUBYA at least realized that the only thing crueler than sending a guy into the prison system named Scooter would be to send Beaver Cleaver.

[watcher269-2009]

All I can say is - I saw it coming. Americans that support this Administration are supporting the bankrupting of America and the downfall of it. America's demise won't come from outside. It is crumbling from the inside driven by white fascists that don't wear the hoods anymore - they hide. Everybody blames the Liberals for their problems, well, guess what. If it wasn't for Liberals, Americans wouldn't have weekends off, 40 hour workweeks (look at corporate America where there are no Unions - I worked 60+ hour weeks under republican run companies without any overtime pay or time off), the freedoms enjoyed today are because of Liberals.

All I hear is support for the current administration for taking freedoms away from us. This is truly a sad day because now a trial by jury is basically abolished for the rich - it means nothing. The rich get richer and get away with everything while the average sap gets bent over.

I am not astonished by the people who support this Administration - they are the automatons - the non-thinkers who think this government will protect them when needed. Well - look around - you are being duped but are too dumb to see it.

Look at the last 3 wars the United States has been in - they were all by Texas Presidents - Vietnam, Gulf 1 and now Gulf 2. I say NO MORE TEXANS FOR PRESIDENT - this should be the Law!

[heresmy2cent]

Never trust the government.
Never cooperate with "authorities."
Always exercise your right to remain silent.

Bush is the antichrist. America is a rotten, thoroughly corrupt joke.

[dlpracer]

Clinton pardoned 350+ and commuted 100 during his administration...one of the highest for a two term president.

Bush on the other hand has led one of the stingiest administrations in either category.

Try again.

[donnie900]

Yup, liberals are almost entirely responsible for the middle class.

[iceman_1960]

Libby wasn't going to a tough prison anyway.

He was heading to a country club with tennis courts.

At least Bush left that $250k fine in place.