When George W. Bush commuted Scooter Libby’s sentence, one of the Republicans to speak up on behalf of the action was possible presidential candidate Fred Thompson, who said, “I am very happy for Scooter Libby. I know that this is a great relief to him, his wife, and children. While for a long time I have urged a pardon for Scooter, I respect the President’s decision. This will allow a good American, who has done a lot for his country, to resume his life.”
You bet he was happy. According to a June 25 article in the Washington Post, Thompson helped run the Scooter Libby Defense Fund Trust, which raised more than $5 million. Yet, as Media Matters for America points out, Thompson’s connection to the Libby defense fund was totally ignored by NBC’s Today, ABC’s Good Morning America, and ABC’s Nightline. A story on the Fox News website does mention his connection to the fund.
The Washington Post article describes Thompson’s anything-but-outsider position in Washington. He has lobbied for S&L deregulation, liability limits for asbestos lawsuits and nuclear energy, and has increased his income significantly through lobbying.
The news media has also continued to ignore Thompson’s recent shutting down of his PAC, an act that became necessary when it was discovered that it had raised only $66,700 for candidates, but had paid Thompson’s son $178,000 in consulting fees.
