Stevens Won't Rule Out Pursuing Prez Pardon

Convicted senator may seek clemency from Bush
By Ambreen Ali,  Newser Staff
Posted Nov 27, 2008 11:44 AM CST
Stevens Won't Rule Out Pursuing Prez Pardon
Stevens and his daughter Beth walk through the US Capitol after he spoke on the Senate floor for possibly the last time.   (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Even as Ted Stevens appeals of his seven-count felony conviction, the disgraced senator isn't ruling outthe possibility of seeking a pardon from President Bush, the Anchorage Daily News reports. "If I were counsel to him, I would encourage him," says Alaska's former US attorney, a Stevens supporter. "I strongly believe President Bush should pardon Senator Stevens."

President Bush has generally avoided high-profile pardons and has granted just 171—less than half President Clinton's total. If Stevens plans to press him before they both leave office, it apparently won't be through conventional channels: Stevens "hasn't submitted an application for any sort of clemency," a Justice Department rep says. And White House spokeswoman Dana Perino says, "We never comment on pardons." (More Ted Stevens stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X