As Bush's Term Ends, Some Big Names Seek Pardons

The WaPo ^ | Carrie Johnson | Nov 24, 2008

[RDTF]

With a backlog of applications piled up at the Justice Department, high-profile criminals and their well-connected lawyers increasingly are appealing directly to President Bush for special consideration on pardons and clemency, according to people involved in the process.

Among those seeking presidential action are former junk-bond salesman Michael Milken, who hired former solicitor general Theodore B. Olson, one of the nation's most prominent GOP lawyers, to plead his case for a pardon on 1980s-era securities fraud charges. Two politicians convicted of public corruption, former congressman Randy "Duke" Cunningham (R-Calif.) and four-term Louisiana governor Edwin W. Edwards (D), are asking Bush to shorten their prison terms.

-snip-

[American Quilter]

He should pardon Border Patrol agents Ramos and Compean.

That's an excellent idea.

[Jacquerie]

IIRC, Slick’s law license was suspended for a couple years. The guy emerged from his criminality virtually unscathed.

[trumandogz]

The only reason this two-term crook got re-elected AFTER being convicted (and then he "crooked" some more) was because a significant number of Democrats voted for David Duke in the GOP primary in Louisiana.

You may want to brush up on your knowledge of the Louisiana Primary process.

Not that facts matter to some people, but Louisiana had an Open Primary where both Duke (R) and Edwards (D) ran in the same primary and were in a runoff following the primary.

Please let me know if you need to know anything else about the Electoral Process in America.

[Terry Mross]

If he pardons Cunningham and Edwards and doesn’t pardon the two border patrol agents, I’ll spit everytime I hear his name.

[TruthWillWin]

Should have done that a long time ago.

[FrankR]

Then Bush could tell obama to produce his COLB, and if it is not valid, he would promise to pardon him from "fraud" charges, providing he step down from the "Office of the President Elect" immediately.

Seriously though, let's suppose they find out that the COLB is a fraud and obama was not a natural born citizen, who initiates charges against a sitting president and can he pardon himself? If it's the Congress, then finding the COLB won't don't any good because they won't throw him out.

I'm guessing it would be up to the supremes.

If such a thing does happen, and they don't throw him out, it change "Election 08" to "Coup 08"...cause that's what it will be. TAking office by fraud or force...

[padre35]

Mike Milken has volunteered and fundraised since he was released from Prison, it would not break my heart if he were pardoned.

Duke Cunningham should not be pardoned...period...IMO a commutation of his sentence would be just...IMO he should not die in prison, I think he was scum, I also think he served our country and risked his life enough to merit a early release.

Ramos and Campeon, ditto, and the Haditha Marines, they are being done dirty by the System IMO.

[pgkdan]

He should pardon Scooter Libby, Ramos and Compeon and anyone remotely associated with Gitmo, prisoner interrogation and the firing of the US Attorney’s. The dem’s are going to launch a witch hunt against the entire administration. Nobody should go to jail for political reasons in this country.

[NonValueAdded]

Seriously though, let's suppose they find out that the COLB is a fraud and obama was not a natural born citizen, who initiates charges against a sitting president and can he pardon himself? If it's the Congress, then finding the COLB won't don't any good because they won't throw him out.

If by some miracle SCOTUS so finds, then Obama is no longer the President. Period. He cannot pardon himself and anything Obama did is subject to challenge.

[sport]

<<<<>>>>> What that means I don't know but it looks impressive. No they should not, but , they are about to. I can not say whether President Bush will be tried by one of obama's kangeroo courts or the international criminal court but I do believe that the socialists a/k/a democrats will indict him on either crimes against humanity or war crimes charges. It does not have to be true. It does not have to be right. It has everything with power being power and doing as it pleases. On November 5, 2008 the political spectrum changed in the United States. Rules and laws only matter among honorable individuals. The Democrats are many things but honorable is not one of them.

[buccaneer81]

Nobody should go to jail for political reasons in this country.

Sadly, it happens every day.

[JOE6PAK]

Hey Bush, Don't need a pardon but I could use a BAIL OUT!

My 401K is a 4 "no one" K.

Give me a lousy million and I'll ask for no more.

[NOBAMA in 08]

Pine Boxes are much too good!

Old, severely used, uncleaned Garbage Cans are more appropriate:-)

[mouse1]

Please contact President Bush. Keep it nice.
He needs to pardon Compean & Ramos. I know some think it wont help, but, there is strength in numbers.

comments@whitehouse.gov
202-456-1111

[jack1165]

Kwame Kilpatrick! He’ll put Detroit and Michigan back on the map!

[4Liberty]

crooked Pols...

isn’t that redundant?

[FrankR]

"...then Obama is no longer the President."

I agree. But exactly WHO is going to throw him out...'cause this turkey ain't gonna leave on his own.

[teeman8r]

i think he should free mumia... and then lock him back up by executive order or something...

teeman

[teeman8r]

just kidding...

t

[Senator Goldwater]

Maybe he could pardon clinton from his impeachment and disbarrment...just to piss him off.

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I like it.

He could say he is doing it to help Hillary in her confirmation hearings.