Posted on 06/15/2007 5:11:45 AM PDT by libstripper
Democrats were fairly confident Calvin Coolidge was in a pickle. A federal judge had slapped Charles L. Craig, an outspoken Tammany Hall star and comptroller of New York City, with a 60-day sentence for failure to retract several public statements. Craig appealed, but was on his way to doing the time.
It seemed the president would have to grant a pardon and annul the decision of a Republican-appointed judge., Or, Craig would be jailed simply for exercising his First Amendment rights, and the Democrats could use the widely publicized case as campaign material. Indeed, labor leader Samuel Gompers predicted a martyr would be a great “public service” and begged everyone to stop lobbying for a pardon — something Craig loudly promised he would not accept anyway. Key Republicans agreed it was all an awful mess and begged Coolidge to just grant the pardon and get it over with.
Everyone was focused on the pardon that might, or might not, appear.
That is when a cold bucket of water was tossed on those unfamiliar with the world of federal executive clemency. Without comment, Coolidge remitted Craig’s 60-day sentence. Administration officials were designated to explain that Craig “justly deserved” his punishment, but the people of New York needed their comptroller. The Times, the Post, Craig, and everyone else were essentially left wondering the same thing: What’s a remission? Silent Cal had masterfully evaded conflict with the judge, upheld the essence of the court’s decision, avoided a pardon, and denied Craig the victimization he so craved.
(Excerpt) Read more at article.nationalreview.com ...
I’m wondering if the the President could simply commute the sentence to probation pending appeal.
Just pardon Libby already!
Why not commute his sentence now and then pardon Libby Bush’s last week in office? This would take the issue off the Dems radar screen but still grant Libby the justice the courts have not afforded him.
That sounds like a win-win scenario. If Bush lets Scooter spend one minute in jail, it will be the straw that broke the camel’s back.
I don’t believe LIbby wants a pardon at this point; he claims innocence and wants the opportunity to appeal. When you look at the trial record, it can easily be interpreted that the Judge was prejudiced against LIbby almost from the start. False affidavit filed by Russert, the judge not allowing Mitchell to testify, putting into the evidence the news paper articles as “state of mind” evidence, but not for the “truth” value, etc. Not to mention the constitutional issues that Libby has brought up regarding the appointment of Fitzy to begin with.
Walton reduced the amicus briefing to “one that lacks substance that he wouldn’t accept from first year law students” (or something like that). He had his mind made up from day one that LIbby was guilty and called the evidence “overwhelming”....yup, a false affidavit filed by Russert with the knowledge of the prosecutor was deemed “overwhelming evidence”. Overwhelming evidence of a prosecutor out of control and a judge who couldn’t or wouldn’t see straight.
I hope he gets slapped down publicly and painfully by the appeals court...he has earned their scorn.
A respite would be granted in lieu of the appeal bond Judge Walton denied. Libby, in effect, would be out of prison on a virtual bond while his appeal was being processed. If Libby wins his appeal, then he becomes legally Innocent instead of guilty, but pardoned. Right now he’s a member of the DC bar but will be disbarred if his appeal fails. There’s no guarantee a pardon would prevent a disbarment. A successful appeal will. Thus, the right thing for Bush to do, assuming the courts don’t reverse Walton’s decision on the appeal bond, is to grant Libby a respite pending his appeal and pardon him if he loses the appeal.
A respite is absolutely perfect at this point in time. Libby will win on appeal (FitzFong’s authority), once real legal minds are determining the facts and not some affirmative action HACK!
Not surprising what the dims are doing, just their weekly ‘big game’ hunting.
How long will it take for Libby to change his name ligally to Juan Mendoza? Then he’ll see some action out of the White House. Or maybe he could just call his senator on the spanish language line.
You illegal immigration mad dogs are as bad as kudzu. Repeat after me: EVERY DAMN THREAD IS NOT AN IMMIGRATION THREAD!
Good information. That’s makes sense.
It means Libby remains under a cloud for the rest of his life.
Libby needs to win his appeal.
Lets hope he has a real lawyer next time.
You’re right.....silly me!!
Bush was once touted as being fiercely loyal. I don’t see it myself. I expect Bush will do nothing for Libby, and that is sad.
Immigration Mad Dogs? YOu’re right on that one, and, yes, every thread is an immigration thread right now. They are breaking in through the front door; and now is not the time to sit down and tat a doily, but the time to lock and load.
Libby is Cheney’s friend. GWB is only loyal to his own friends, such as Alberto Gonezolas or Harriet Meyers.
He should pick better friends.
Why not just commute the sentence period? The conviction stands but Libby does no jail time.
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