Novakula: "credible source says...the president..never will pardon Libby"

[npincus]

http://www.suntimes.com/news/novak/312734,CST-EDT-novak26.article

Interesting Op-Ed from the coffin-dweller himself on B*sh's isolation from the GOP on the Gonzales affair, and the GOP's dim view of B*sh's competence in general.

The Libby bit jumped out at me-- I find it hard to believe that the Chimp won't pardon Libby. Per the source, he "never" will.


The I-word (incompetence) is used by Republicans in describing the Bush administration generally. Several of them I talked to described a trifecta of incompetence: the Walter Reed hospital scandal, the FBI's misuse of the Patriot Act and the U.S. attorneys firing fiasco. "We always have claimed that we were the party of better management," one House leader told me. "How can we claim that anymore?"

The reconstruction of his government after Bush's re-election in 2004, though a year late, clearly improved the president's team. Yet the addition of extraordinary public servants Josh Bolten, Tony Snow and Rob Portman has not changed the image of incompetence. A few Republicans blame incessant attacks from the new Democratic majority in Congress for that image. Many more say today's problems by the administration derive from yesterday's mistakes, whose impact persists. The answer that is not entertained by the president's most severe GOP critics, even when not speaking for quotation, is that this is just the governing style of Bush.

Regarding the Libby-Gonzales equation, unofficial word from the White House is not reassuring. One credible source says the president never -- not even on the way out of the Oval Office in January 2009 -- will pardon Libby. Another equally good source says he never will ask Gonzales to resign. That exactly reverses the prevailing Republican opinion in Congress. Bush is alone.

[Phredicles]

1. And the Douchebag Of Liberty KNOWS credible sources.

Color me skeptical...

[samsingh]

2. the problem was subverting every democratic institution

to defend the bushees.

[elfin]

3. Perhaps on the theory that Dumbya doesn't want his "legacy"

tainted by comparisons to Poppy or Bill? Just stupid and arrogant enough to think Lobby will skate anyway and will never rat him out. Or else doesn't care if Cheney is the fall guy when Scooter starts squealing for a plea bargain. Just as long as his own "legacy" is not harmed any further.

[Me.]

4. I Never Thought * Would Pardon Libby

Why? He crossed the line and between he and the Dick they drew in and implicated both Rove and the rez in the matter in a way that can't be disputed. Rove always wreaks revenge on those who cross him. Libby will not get a pardon.

[emulatorloo]

7. I agree -- Bush's loyality is to ROVE, not Cheney or Libby - now if only Mrs Libby would wise up

and tell scooter to flip.

[havocmom]

5. Haven't they embalmed that wretch Novak yet?

Thought it smelled funny.

[jaybeat]

6. Of course not...he has too much to loose

If Libby were pardoned, he could be compelled to testify (since he could not longer incriminate himself). That would bring down Cheney, and possibly Bush himself.

He won't fire Gonzo, because Gonzo's crimes are Bush's. Bush has openly identified himself with all of them; NSA warrantless spying, torture as a policy (including renditions), military tribunals, Patriot Act abuse, politicization of DOJ/law enforcement, and obstruction of justice for crimes of other Republicans, etc., etc. Bush can stall and obstruct on behalf of Gonzo and himself much better if Gonzo is still on the payroll than he can if he cuts him loose.

'Course, this will be a big political problem for the rest of the GOP. But if and when the full truth comes out about the Bush/Cheney/Gonzales crimes, it will mean the end of the GOP.

:nuke:

My main fear is that they will destroy the rest of us in their attempts to save themselves.

:hide: