Pressure Mounts For Libby Clemency - Politico

[WillyT]

By: Mike Allen
Jun 17, 2007 03:57 PM EST

<snip>

White House loyalists have begun arguing that clemency for I. Lewis “Scooter” Libby -- either a pardon or a commuted sentence -- would be a way for an embattled President Bush to reassert himself, particularly among conservatives.

The White House has not ruled out a pardon for Libby, sources say. But several Republicans, who sense a movement in Libby’s favor, said a more likely possibility might be a presidential commutation -- a reduction or elimination of Libby's 2½-year federal prison sentence. Such a move, they said, would be less divisive for the country.

A well-connected Republican whose views have reached Bush’s inner circle said that if Libby goes to prison, “It would be seen by the religious and policy conservatives as the president abandoning his loyalty virtue for the hedonistic pleasure of political expediency.”

If Paris goes, Scooter goes

Several prominent Republicans, however, remain pessimistic about the chances of a pardon, acknowledging that Bush -- buffeted by the war in Iraq and a bruising immigration debate at home that has enraged much of the GOP base -- can ill afford another major controversy.

And Democrats are poised to pounce if Bush gives Libby a break. Dave “Mudcat” Saunders, an adviser to Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards, said the brouhaha over heiress Paris Hilton would make it easier to get traction for charges that Libby was getting special privileges.

“Scooter Libby is in the wrong place at the wrong time,” Saunders said. “If Paris had to go to the slammer, Scooter should get his pajammers.”

And...

The lobbying is subtle, according to participants. They say that making the case directly to the president or his top aides would be insulting and could backfire. Instead, friends of Bush and Libby have been quietly working cocktail parties and other venues, laying out their logic for a pardon.

When these people do talk to presidential aides, they confine their remarks to what they consider safe ground -- how hard the ordeal has been on Libby and his family.

<snip>

Link: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0607/4517.html

I think we need to start tapping\bugging Washington D.C. cocktail parties. Seems like that's the only place anything gets done in that town.

:wtf:

[lligrd]

1. I See, Amnesty For Right Wing Criminals Is Fine

but amnesty for poor immigrants is immoral.

[Gregorian]

2. Let's remember, Libby is also named in the Wilson suit.

It isn't over, folks.

[Captain Angry]

3. Did he, or did he not lie to a grand jury?

If he lied, he does the sentence. Period.

If his family suffering is so bad, he could have thought of that before he committed this crime.

If you take their argument to any other crime, what happens? Nothing.

That murderer's family is suffering.
That embezzler's family is suffering.
That molester's family is suffering.
That drug user's family is suffering.

Et cetera.

[Disturbed]

5. Four Felonies.

Libby should have received at least 8 years in Prison. The Judge went easy on him.

[Fridays Child]

4. The hedonistic pleasure of political expediency?

That takes GOP logic to a whole new level of surrealism.

[annabanana]

6. Politico = Beltway Asshats.

Just an online version of the cocktail party circuit.. Or why wealthy, connected people should be allowed to break the law without consequences...And "obstruction" is just another word for loyalty.

[Me.]

7. Wah, Wah, Wah More RW Temper Tantrums

So a convicted felon shouldn't do the time. and a jury of his peers should be disrespected. I hope that when the presidential race is down to two candidates, and if there has been support for a Libby pardon, that the candidate's lack of respect for the law is shoved down their throat.

As for that shill Allen, I take everything he writes with a grain of salt. He's been wrong more times than I have toes and fingers.

[Bitwit1234]

8. Since right now only 28% of the population approve of bush

maybe he should pardon libby that might make half of the 28 mad. After all - a lot of the republicans don't like crooks and criminals either.

[AX10]

9. Politico has already been established an arm of the...

Republican Party! This article pure bullshit! There is no movement for a pardon of Libby except by the right wing!

[Rex]

10. Go for it George!

I don't think you're done eating that shit sandwich. Do it! You can't possibly sink any lower. We will rename the toilets after you if you do it! Honest!

'I've got to go to the bush.'

[karlrschneider]

11. Don't forget to wipe your Cheney!

...