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Libby Deserves Bush Pardon

Conviction a 'miscarriage of justice,' writes Fred Barnes

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 16, 2009 4:16 PM CST

(Newser) – “Simple justice” should compel President Bush to pardon Lewis “Scooter” Libby, writes Fred Barnes in the Weekly Standard. “Libby has either been punished far too severely for a very small offense,” writes Barnes “or he is an innocent man.” Libby was convicted of perjury and obstruction—but not the actual leaking of CIA agent Valerie Plame’s identity to columnist Robert Novak.

Libby’s conviction stems from whether the jury believed him or the late Tim Russert in a conversation about Plame. It’s possible that Libby simply didn’t remember, and was trapped in a “lie” when asked to repeat his story as testimony. In any case, the “crime” committed was miniscule and the impact on Libby—who, as a felon, is barred from practicing law—totally out of proportion, Barnes argues.

Former White House aide I. Lewis Scooter Libby walks towards his car outside federal court in Washington in this 2007 file photo.
Former White House aide I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby walks towards his car outside federal court in Washington in this 2007 file photo.   (AP Photo)
Former White House aide I. Lewis 'Scooter' Libby, leaves federal court in Washington, March 6, 2007.
Former White House aide I. Lewis 'Scooter' Libby, leaves federal court in Washington, March 6, 2007.   (AP Photo)
President George W. Bush waves as he leaves the White House in Washington, Friday,Jan. 16, 2009, for Camp David, Md.
President George W. Bush waves as he leaves the White House in Washington, Friday,Jan. 16, 2009, for Camp David, Md.   (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
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Libby has either been punished far too severely for a very small offense or he is an innocent man. Either way, a pardon is both justified and appropriate. - Fred Barnes

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 11 comments
riffran
Jan 19, 2009 1:27 AM CST
until the fleeing drug smuggler sells crack to your child and he/or she has an OD and winds up taking a permanant dirt nap....the dude was scum and got off lucky
riffran
Jan 17, 2009 5:33 AM CST
If Bushy should pardon anybody, it should be those two Border Patrol agents who poppped that scum bag drug smuggler in the backside, and went to the hokey for trying to change the evidence....The only crime was that they didn't get him in the head.....he has since been arrested again for smuggling dope
Mad
Jan 17, 2009 3:41 AM CST
Why should those rogue Border Patrol agents be pardoned? They shot the guy IN THE BACK when he was clearly in Mexico, and equally clear, he was no threat. Yes, entering the country illegally is a crime - not a misdemeanor, not felony, but an infraction, not unlike a parking ticket. There is no way to justify armed agents shooting at a freeing infraction violator

More Newser Stories

Cheney Furious at Bush for Not Pardoning Libby

Cheney Says Bush Erred in Not Pardoning Libby

Libby Hasn't Asked to Be Pardoned

Scooter Won't Need to Beg for Pardon

Cheney on Plame Leak: I Can't Recall


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