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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2009
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Cheney Says Bush Erred in Not Pardoning Libby

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(Newser) – Dick Cheney believes disgraced former chief of staff Scooter Libby, convicted in the CIA leak investigation, deserved a pardon, the Weekly Standard reports. “He was the victim of a serious miscarriage of justice,” the former vice president said. “Obviously, I disagree with President Bush.” Bush’s decision has been ascribed to an honest belief in Libby’s guilt, but also to a desire for the pardon not to appear politically motivated.

Nancy Pelosi provided a third, more egalitarian explanation for Bush’s reticence. “He thought that there was more access for some than others and he was not going to do any,” she said on Larry King Live, referring to the former president's attitude toward pardons. Bush did commute Libby’s sentence before he served any time. “The consequences of his felony conviction on his former life,” Bush said by way of explanation, “will be long-lasting.”

I. Lewis
I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby.   (AP Photo)
Former CIA officer Valerie Plame.
Former CIA officer Valerie Plame.   (AP Photo)
U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald.
U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald.   (AP Photo)
Vice President Dick Cheney looks over to President Bush.
Vice President Dick Cheney looks over to President Bush.   (AP Photo)
Vice President Dick Cheney responds to a question.
Vice President Dick Cheney responds to a question.   (AP Photo)
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Scooter Libby is one of the most capable and honorable men I've ever known. He's been an outstanding public servant throughout his career. He was the victim of a serious miscarriage of justice. - Dick Cheney

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9 comments
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Brownster
Jan 22, 09 5:46 PM CST
Oh Boo Hoo Dick, Scooter deserves what he got and you should be with Scooter for shooting a guy and leaving the scene of a crime. Reply
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nick
Jan 22, 09 5:54 PM CST
Who the hell keeps interviewing Cheney? Stop already! Reply
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Robert_Dada
Jan 22, 09 6:19 PM CST
Hopefully, soon, so very soon, Dick Cheney's heart will explode in a supernova of anguished pain. Thank God, these a-holes are out of power now. Reply
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Newser001
Jan 22, 09 7:11 PM CST
Given all Cheney has and hasn't done, it doesn't surprise me that he disagrees with GW on Libby's pardon. This coming from a man who effectively ran the White House and the Nation from his back office. He and others kept GW out of the loop with agency heads, feeding him ineffective information, and keeping those that should have been communicating with the President, at bay - The real day to day activities, concerns (not to defend GW). For once, I can say, GW did the right thing, and has apparently shown himself a man of some consciousness, principles (in this case). Cheney was the root of this fiasco, and Libby, a parentally the fall guy, in effect, although complicit in the affairs eventually brought himself down, for which I believe Cheney was the designer. There comes a point when people's deeds eventually catch up with them, and Cheney's day is surely to come... We've most certainly not heard the end of this man's misdeeds... Reply
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Lula
Jan 23, 09 12:42 PM CST
newser001, I too believe Cheney was at the root of this fiasco. He was the evil one in that administration. Georgie Boy was just ignorant
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