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President Bush Commutes Libby's sentence

Posted on 07/02/2007 2:45:21 PM PDT by ConservativeMan55

Edited on 07/02/2007 3:05:31 PM PDT by Admin Moderator. [history]

Foxnews alert.. libby sentence commuted

*********

STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT

The United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit today rejected Lewis Libby’s request to remain free on bail while pursuing his appeals for the serious convictions of perjury and obstruction of justice. As a result, Mr. Libby will be required to turn himself over to the Bureau of Prisons to begin serving his prison sentence.

I have said throughout this process that it would not be appropriate to comment or intervene in this case until Mr. Libby’s appeals have been exhausted. But with the denial of bail being upheld and incarceration imminent, I believe it is now important to react to that decision.

From the very beginning of the investigation into the leaking of Valerie Plame’s name, I made it clear to the White House staff and anyone serving in my administration that I expected full cooperation with the Justice Department. Dozens of White House staff and administration officials dutifully cooperated.

After the investigation was under way, the Justice Department appointed United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois Patrick Fitzgerald as a Special Counsel in charge of the case. Mr. Fitzgerald is a highly qualified, professional prosecutor who carried out his responsibilities as charged.

This case has generated significant commentary and debate. Critics of the investigation have argued that a special counsel should not have been appointed, nor should the investigation have been pursued after the Justice Department learned who leaked Ms. Plame’s name to columnist Robert Novak. Furthermore, the critics point out that neither Mr. Libby nor anyone else has been charged with violating the Intelligence Identities Protection Act or the Espionage Act, which were the original subjects of the investigation. Finally, critics say the punishment does not fit the crime: Mr. Libby was a first-time offender with years of exceptional public service and was handed a harsh sentence based in part on allegations never presented to the jury.

Others point out that a jury of citizens weighed all the evidence and listened to all the testimony and found Mr. Libby guilty of perjury and obstructing justice. They argue, correctly, that our entire system of justice relies on people telling the truth. And if a person does not tell the truth, particularly if he serves in government and holds the public trust, he must be held accountable. They say that had Mr. Libby only told the truth, he would have never been indicted in the first place.

Both critics and defenders of this investigation have made important points. I have made my own evaluation. In preparing for the decision I am announcing today, I have carefully weighed these arguments and the circumstances surrounding this case.

Mr. Libby was sentenced to thirty months of prison, two years of probation, and a $250,000 fine. In making the sentencing decision, the district court rejected the advice of the probation office, which recommended a lesser sentence and the consideration of factors that could have led to a sentence of home confinement or probation.

I respect the jury’s verdict. But I have concluded that the prison sentence given to Mr. Libby is excessive. Therefore, I am commuting the portion of Mr. Libby’s sentence that required him to spend thirty months in prison.

My decision to commute his prison sentence leaves in place a harsh punishment for Mr. Libby. The reputation he gained through his years of public service and professional work in the legal community is forever damaged. His wife and young children have also suffered immensely. He will remain on probation. The significant fines imposed by the judge will remain in effect. The consequences of his felony conviction on his former life as a lawyer, public servant, and private citizen will be long-lasting.

The Constitution gives the President the power of clemency to be used when he deems it to be warranted. It is my judgment that a commutation of the prison term in Mr. Libby’s case is an appropriate exercise of this power.


TOPICS: Breaking News
KEYWORDS: 007plame; cialeak; commute; fitzmas; govwatch; libby; libbyisnoliddy; merryfitzmas; pardon; pardons; scooter; technicality
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To: madison10
"Scooter was probably asked which he preferred"

That is a fantasy you cannot substantiate.

241 posted on 07/02/2007 3:24:21 PM PDT by Anti-Bubba182
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To: Enchante
In trying to appear evenhanded he merely concedes to the ‘RATs

Making nice is one of Pres. Bush's biggest flaws as a leader. OK as a private man, but not as a leader with an opponent with no conscience.

242 posted on 07/02/2007 3:24:48 PM PDT by Freee-dame
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To: Anti-Bubba182

He can commute his sentence now and give Libby a chance to win on appeal then as he’s walking out the door give him the full pardon if Libby’s appeals don’t look promising.


243 posted on 07/02/2007 3:25:06 PM PDT by tobyhill (only wimps believe in retreat in defeat)
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To: ConservativeMan55

The DU dummies are in meltdown mode. “Stroke of the pen; law of the land”. They are screaming for impeachment. But it was the right thing to do. They forget that Clinton pardoned convicted terrorists at the end of his term.


244 posted on 07/02/2007 3:25:47 PM PDT by Keflavik76
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To: kabar

I think he wanted to give Libby a chance to exonerate himself through the courts.

Meanwhile, he is kept out of jail.


245 posted on 07/02/2007 3:25:50 PM PDT by zendari
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To: Laverne

exactly. now he can go after Fitzgerald and crush his Nifong a$$.


246 posted on 07/02/2007 3:26:08 PM PDT by sappy
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To: PhiKapMom; wardaddy
smile.I don't think 'wardaddy' is a woman, and he's in agreement too! :)
247 posted on 07/02/2007 3:26:09 PM PDT by Guenevere (Duncan Hunter for President 2008!!!)
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To: ConservativeMan55

Wahooo... Thats great news...Everybody get onboard... the DU’ers are going spastic calling for impeachment... blah blah...


248 posted on 07/02/2007 3:26:49 PM PDT by tomnbeverly (The saddest day in America will be the day that George W. Bush is vindicated.)
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To: Enchante
Thanks...my bad, Richard...aka Dick Armitage.
249 posted on 07/02/2007 3:27:13 PM PDT by Recovering_Democrat (I am SO glad to no longer be associated with the party of Dependence on Government!)
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To: Guenevere

Too bad you don’t know who the real enemy is.


250 posted on 07/02/2007 3:27:26 PM PDT by mimaw
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To: monkapotamus

HEY MONK Guess what they going show that on Fourth of July on Sci fi channel including your fav photoshop

Bill Shatner episode ROFL


251 posted on 07/02/2007 3:28:04 PM PDT by SevenofNine ("We are Freepers, all your media belong to us, resistence is futile")
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To: mimaw

Well....do tell?


252 posted on 07/02/2007 3:28:21 PM PDT by Guenevere (Duncan Hunter for President 2008!!!)
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To: tobyhill

I don’t buy it. The language of the Statement does not lead to that conclusion. I think this is all Libby gets from Bush.


253 posted on 07/02/2007 3:28:30 PM PDT by Anti-Bubba182
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To: Chode

DUmmie wienerdoggie sez “The Rule of Law is officially dead.”

I would submit that it died sometime between slick willie’s impeachment (that went nowhere) and sandy “Stuff my pants” burglar...


254 posted on 07/02/2007 3:28:38 PM PDT by rockrr (Global warming is to science what Islam is to religion)
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To: ConservativeMan55

Good

(1) Bush tax cuts ..

(2) Bush Judges..

(3) Fighting the War on Terror..

(4) Commuting Scooter Libby’s sentence..

Bad

(1) Campaign Finance Reform

(2) No Child left behind..

(3) Prescription Drug Bill.

(4) Amnesty for Illegals..

I give him a C- ...What say you??


255 posted on 07/02/2007 3:28:51 PM PDT by bestrongbpositive
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To: monkapotamus

Perfect visual!


256 posted on 07/02/2007 3:29:01 PM PDT by Deo volente
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To: ConservativeMan55

I gotta’ catch Chrissy’s 7pm today... he is going to be spitting EVERYWHERE!


257 posted on 07/02/2007 3:29:19 PM PDT by FreedomNeocon (Success is not final; Failure is not fatal; it is the courage to continue that counts -- Churchill)
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To: RachelFaith
OK... now how about those border patrol agents...

You betcha'!!!! They deserve just the same commutation of sentence! outrageous ...

258 posted on 07/02/2007 3:29:33 PM PDT by DancesWithCats
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To: monkapotamus
Image hosted by Photobucket.com now that's just toooo damn funny... 8^)
259 posted on 07/02/2007 3:29:34 PM PDT by Chode (American Hedonist)
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To: ConservativeMan55

I was pleased to see that DUmmies heads are exploding over this. LOL


260 posted on 07/02/2007 3:29:50 PM PDT by Bogtrotter52 (Reading DU daily so you won't hafta)
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