Do you think Arnold will pardon tookie?

[southernleftylady]

What do you think??

[Missy M]

1. I think Arnold will be playing this strictly for politics and the answer..

is, no he won't. He doesn't want to upset his white, conservative, rich base. They would be very upset if Tookie was pardoned.

[TheCowsCameHome]

2. Yes, he will.

To do otherwise isn't politically wise for Ahnold.

[Swamp Rat]

3. I hope he does.

We must end the death penalty.

[Mutley]

4. I'm not sure at this point.

At first I didn't think Tookie had a chance. But so many people have come out in support of him that Arnold just might feel enough pressure to grant him clemency. He's already pissed off a lot of people, and he's going to be looking for opportunities to pick up his numbers.

[Spinzonner]

5. Probably not

He will go through the motions but in the end I think there's not as much sympathy for a gang founder and multiple murderer as all the publicity surrounding the execution would suggest.

The Crips and Bloods have been the scourge of LA and been exported to other cities.

It's admirable that he has attempted to redeem his past life but that doesn't wipe out what he did. It's not a compensatable transaction.

I don't think Arnold is as cynical about this as others suggest. Yes, there are political calculations involved and his base is strongly pro-death penalty. But he could also rack up some minority credit by commuting his sentence to Life without Parole. I think he'll play it straight.

[liberaliraqvet26]

6. Dems are afraid to grant clemency sometimes.....

because they are afraid to be seen as weak, and soft on crime.... I think Tookie has a better shot with Arnold than Gray Davis

[graywarrior]

7. It's kinda hard to execute someone who's been nominated

for the Pulitzer Peace Prize.

[DanCa]

8. I thought the catholic church was against the death penality?

If arnie doesn't pardon tookie shouldn't he be excommunicated?

[choie]

9. will arnold pardon tookie?

Not a chance..compassionate conservative, my ass

[Oceansaway]

10. No...i dont think he will

[Silverhair]

11. Pardon? Hell NO. Clemency to a Life sentence? Maybe, but doubtful.

Pardon means a full release from prison and restoration of all rights as a citizen. NO WAY.

Clemency means reducing his sentence. He may do that, but I don't think he will.

[seaglass]

12. He does have some cover from Bush, so the political fallout

could be managed...

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/10/11/national/main936353.shtml

In August he received an award for his good deeds, complete with a letter from President Bush praising him for demonstrating "the outstanding character of America."

[jmowreader]

13. Tookie's gonna die in a few days.

Let's assume Tookie gets commuted to life without parole. Every police association in the state of California is going to line up against him--he stopped the execution of the co-founder of the fucking Crips!

Every "safe neighborhood association" in the state would line up against him--"we know he's well-protected in his fine movie star estate, but in the real world we had to deal with the Crips on a daily basis."

Every white Republican in the state would line up against him for obvious reasons--he spared the life of a man who, before he got thrown in jail, was responsible through his gang for killing hundreds.

So Tookie's gonna die.

[boston bean]

14. NO, he won't. He is no girly man! nt

:sarcasm:

[AlCzervik]

15. i don't think so, but if he does he won't be running again for sure

because that will alienate whatever is left of his base.

[Syncronaut Seven]

16. Pardon? Not a chance. Commute sentence? Would be nice.

The fact however is that he would alienate his fascist base if he did either one. Whereas, Commuting Tookies sentence would not gain him many new votes. Thus, your answer.

* could commute too, what are the odds.