Will President Bush pardon Libby?

[mcscajun]

Poll question: Will President Bush pardon Libby?

WASHINGTON (AP) -- At his sentencing Tuesday, former White House aide I. Lewis ''Scooter'' Libby will learn whether he will go to prison and, if so, whether it will be right away for his conviction in the CIA leak case.

Once Libby's fate is known, then there is this ultimate question: Will President Bush pardon him?

-snip-

Libby maintains his innocence. With the support of several current and former White House, State Department and Pentagon officials, he has asked U.S. District Judge Reggie B. Walton, not to send him to prison.

-snip-

Since Libby's conviction, the White House has sidestepped talk of pardoning Libby. Some of Libby's supporters have spoken publicly about a pardon, while Democrats are asking Bush to promise not to issue one.

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/us/AP-CIA-Leak-Trial.html?pagewanted=print

So, what thoughts do you think are running through Bush's head on this?

[Demeter]

1. Nope.

Karl will be too busy Covering His Ass and Bush's to attend to that kind of detail any more.

[DFW]

2. I give it 60-40 he will pardon Libby

Pardoning Libby won't affect who is the next president, or anything else on Jan. 19, 2009.
Besides, so far, Scooter has kept his mouth shut, where spilling the beans might mean jail
time for Dick and Karl. Bush may have no clue, but Cheney and Rove will be making those
decisions anyway (now there's a shocker....)

[zeemike]

3. For sure

Libby will stay out of jail until bush is in his way out and bush will sign the pardon.
Gotcha suckers.

[Crabby Appleton]

13. That's what I think is most likely to happen. nt

[Lobster Martini]

4. Questions and answers

Question #1: Will President Bush pardon Libby?
Answer: Yes, on his last day in office.

Question #2: What thoughts do you think are running through Bush's head?
Answer: Damn, I really like mashed potatoes!

[mcscajun]

8. LOL! Loved your answer to Q2.

:rofl:

[H2O Man]

5. Other.

I do not think he will pardon Libby. It's possible that he will, of course.

[mcscajun]

7. That choice is covered under options #3 and #4

:)

[H2O Man]

9. Yes, though

not in the manner that I think applies.

[mcscajun]

11. Okie-dokie. I added "Other".

I'm happy to provide more appropriate options. :hi:

[H2O Man]

14. Thank you.

I think that Bush will not pardon Scooter, for several reasons. First, as Joe Wilson noted in his book, Rove blamed Cheney and Libby for creating the serious problems of the Plame scandal. It took place at the time when the administration began to sink in the polls. Bush has a need to blame others for all of his problems, and this trait does not favor Libby's chances of getting a pardon.

I also remember the day George's long-time friend Scott McClellan "resigned." As the two strolled out to chat with reporters, Scott became emotional. He was clearly very upset. And Bush -- his friend -- had body language, including his facial expression, that made it obvious that he was enjoying another man's suffering. It was, in my opinion, one of the few authenic moments of the Bush presidency, and not one that indicates that Bush is capable of feeling compassion for others.

Also, because it is likely that Judge Walton will honor Mr. Fitzgerald's request for sentencing, Bush may be less likely to grant a pardon. If Scooter were given a more severe sentence, Bush might be more likely to show his contempt for the court, and grant the pardon.

Still, those who are convinced Bush will pardon Libby have good reasons to believe as they do. As rigid as his thinking is, in terms of "right and wrong," and "punishment," he also takes great pleasure in trying to display his "power" .... and his obscene sense of being "the decider."

[chelsea0011]

6. Is he expected to get a prison term? If so, a pardon moi.

If no prison term...more time with the family.

[mcscajun]

10. That's the $64,000 Question, isn't it?

Walton is supposedly one of the district's strictest judges and apparently does not view a conviction lightly. That's on one side; his being a Bush appointee is on the other. :shrug:

[porphyrian]

12. He wouldn't be able to if anyone had bothered to start impeachment against him. - n/t

[Rydz777]

15. I have no doubt that he will pardon old Scooter, but I'm sure

he will first touch base with Dead Eye Dick. I mean, it would be the courteous thing to do.