I was just reading this post in the Politico that is discussing political reasons for President Bush to pardon or commute Scooter Libby’s sentence.

The all-important base is against President Bush, and according to this post, it will improve the president’s popularity with the base.

The post also talks of the president’s famed loyalty and uses it as a reason for a pardon or commutation of sentence.

I disagree with this thinking completely.

Don’t get me wrong; I believe the president should ideally commute the sentence to drop the jail time and leave in the fine and probation so Libby will have the chance to appeal his case and clear his name, and if he fails at that, he will not have to serve time in jail which seems to be an excessive considering the rest of the punishment.

The president may just do that as soon as he hears whether or not the appeals court will allow Libby to be free while appealing his case and then pardon him or commute his sentence before leaving the White House if necessary.

But it should be done because the president thinks it’s the right thing to do and not the right political thing to do.

He’s not running for office ever again, so what more can the base do to him? Besides, as rabid as some are about the president it will be like tossing a bare bone to a dog. The next day they’ll be barking at him for more and will like him no more than they do now.

This president has been loyal to a fault. There is nothing wrong about loyalty, but the loyalty of this president has given us an Attorney General who is bringing more and more disrepute on the president and the Justice Dept., while the Attorney General takes advantage of it to stay in power.

Confirmation hearings for a new AG would be contentious, but with the amount of time left in this presidency, we could get by with an acting AG while we wait to get someone confirmed, even if it takes the rest of the term.

I sincerely hope Libby doesn’t go to jail and has the opportunity to clear his name. If the Appeals Court doesn’t let him stay out on bail while his appeal is pending, I think the president should do what is right humanely, and let Libby be pardoned or, preferably commute his sentence.

Written by ~J~

3 Responses to “Libby Pardon or Clemency: Do It Because It’s Right and Not For Political Purposes”

1. Sue says:

   June 18, 2007 at 12:48 pm

   J:

   If this article can be believed perhaps we are headed in what I would consider the right direction on this issue.

   http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0607/4517.html
2. ~J~ says:

   June 18, 2007 at 12:58 pm

   It’s the same link in the post, but it talks about the politial benefits if he pardons or commutes the sentence.

   That’s why I said politics should play no part in it but he should do it because it is right and it is humane.
3. Sue says:

   June 18, 2007 at 4:01 pm

   Sorry J..not all here today.