Reaction to Libby's Commuted Sentence: Surprise?

I wonder if the answer to Clara's question below is simply: "Why not?" Bush's approval ratings are so low already that he had little to lose by commuting Libby's sentence, and he's made clear that he cares more about the judgment of history than his day-by-day approval numbers.

Also, I'm surprised by the decision to commute instead of pardon. Bush left Libby, who helped him launch a war of choice — no easy task, especially when the evidence is against you — with a felony on his record and a $250,000 fine to pay. In any place but Washington, his career would be over. Considering how loyal a man Bush is (see Gonzales, Alberto), you would think he would have gone whole hog and cleared the man's record completely.

Is it a concession to the moderate middle? I hope not, because to everyday folks a commuted sentence and a pardon probably look a lot alike. After all, a rich, well-connected white man doesn't have to do his jail time either way.

Raw Story has a lot more, including quotes from important people whose names you'll recognize.

And for your enjoyment, a classic American picture -- Ford explaining to the country that he had pardoned Nixon.

Update: Joe Klein over at Time's Swampland agrees that Bush had nothing to lose in commuting Libby's sentence. He thinks up one thing Bush had to gain: the move stops Libby from writing a disgruntled tell-all.

Comments

I think that everyone behind Bars serving a sentence for a non-violent felony or misdemeanor conviction should be released immediately. Bush is more of a criminal than "scooter" could ever be!

Posted by: Dave Kersey on 07/03/07 at 1:32 AM Respond

Bush is the Law above all other Law and the Constitution.

As Long as Bush is dictator, we have no protection or legal recourse. We are all subject to his whims.

Democratic leaders are too stupid to realize there only two ways to get rid of a dictator. One of them is Impeachment. . .

Posted by: rabblerowzer on 07/03/07 at 7:04 AM Respond

Every president pardons you seem to forget Bill Clinton selling pardons, but I guess it is okay if your a liberal criminal

Posted by: John on 07/03/07 at 10:38 PM Respond

Every president pardons you seem to forget Bill Clinton selling pardons, but I guess it is okay if your a liberal criminal

Posted by: John on 07/03/07 at 10:39 PM Respond

I like how these conservatives always point to Clinton and say see. Remember the pardon of Nixon, conservatives also like pardoning liars, ? Any way Bush has nothing but failure going for him, so why not throw the conservatives a bone, he has nothing to lose. The only thing is if he fully pardons him he can run the risk of really putting a wosrt dent in any republican winning the presidency.

Posted by: Nick on 07/04/07 at 1:41 PM Respond

Libby(aka Libowitz) was Marc Rich's attorney. See the web? Clinton pardoned Libowitz's client(Rich) and Bush pardons the attorney(Libby). See the power behind the throne? Fitzgerald was also the prosecutor in that(Marc Rich) case.

Posted by: Steve Cohen on 07/04/07 at 2:12 PM Respond