memo from Ted Kenndy--petition: Libby: What will the President do?

[rodeodance]

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: What will the President do?
Date: Thu, 08 Mar 2007 11:47:40 -0500
From: Sen. Ted Kennedy <[e-mail]>
To: xxxx


The Committee for a Democratic Majority


Dear xxxx,

Dick Cheney's right-hand man was found guilty.

Former Vice-Presidential Aide Lewis "Scooter" Libby was convicted Tuesday on four counts of lying about the White House leak of CIA undercover agent Valerie Plame's identity -- whose husband had become a major critic of the flawed intelligence used by the Bush Administration to justify the Iraq War. As one juror put it, "It seemed like Libby was the fall guy."

It's no secret. This Administration has gone to extreme lengths to cover up President Bush's failure in Iraq. But Tuesday's jury verdict finally made it official, and the verdict is very likely to be upheld on appeal.

Now that Mr. Libby has fallen on his sword for the Bush Administration, there are reports that the President may reward him with a full pardon. We can't let that happen.

Some reports suggest that to avoid any immediate fallout, President Bush may wait while the appeal process runs its course, and grant a pardon late in 2008 or early 2009 as the President is about to leave office.

Tell President Bush not to let Scooter Libby off the hook, now or ever.

http://www.democraticmajority.com/nopardon

The jury's verdict was thoughtful and was reached after long and careful deliberation. Libby was convicted of four charges:

* Obstruction of Justice: Libby intentionally deceived a grand jury about how he learned and disclosed information about Valerie Plame's employment by the CIA.
* Making a False Statement: Libby intentionally gave FBI agents false information about a conversation he had with NBC's Tim Russert about Valerie Plame.
* Perjury: Libby knowingly gave false testimony in court about a conversation he had with Tim Russert.
* Perjury: Libby knowingly gave false testimony in court about his conversation with reporters about Valerie Plame's work for the CIA.

Under federal guidelines, Libby faces up to 3 years in jail for his criminal behavior if his conviction is sustained on appeal -- but given the Administration's contempt for the rule of law, the President may well intervene with a pardon.

Tell President Bush to let this conviction stand:

http://www.democraticmajority.com/nopardon

Let's be clear. The conviction of Scooter Libby is just the tip of the iceberg in an administration filled with lies and corruption. As Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has said, Libby's trial "revealed deeper truths about Vice President Cheney's role in this sordid affair."

This is an administration unwilling to be honest with the American people about why we're in Iraq -- unwilling to admit that our soldiers are now caught in the midst of a brutal civil war -- unwilling to change course and bring our troops home.

It's also an Administration more than willing to put Americans at risk who work to protect our security -- people like Valerie Plame -- when they have a political grudge to carry out.

President Bush may think he can pardon Scooter Libby without consequences for himself. He may think the American people don't care how flagrantly he abuses the rule of law.

It's time he heard the truth from the American people:

http://www.democraticmajority.com/nopardon

Sincerely,


Senator Edward M. Kennedy

...........

Paid for by The Committee for a Democratic Majority
...................

[PhilipShore]

1. Why? Libby was just a patsy

Congress should start "impeachment proceeding investigations" against the big dogs, now.