OPINION
6
Libby Hasn't Asked to Be Pardoned
Supporters look to Cheney to sway Bush in final week
By Nick McMaster
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Posted Jan 14, 09 12:30 PM CST
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(Newser)
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President Bush has less than a week to pardon Lewis “Scooter” Libby for his role in the CIA leak case, and at this point it’s unclear if he will, writes Byron York for the National Review. Dick Cheney's former chief of staff hasn't applied for one through the Justice Department. Supporters of Libby say they are relying on Cheney to convince the president.
When Bush commuted Libby’s sentence in July, he spoke of leaving his felony conviction in place as a “long-lasting” “harsh punishment”—suggesting he had no intention of pardoning him later. But Libby supporters maintain that the president would be remiss not to pardon him: “This guy took a bullet for the White House,” one told York anonymously. “For the president not to recognize that fact would be viewed as disgraceful.”