[Hillary] Clinton Draws Distictions on Pardons

UK Guardian ^ | Tuesday July 3, 2007 7:16 PM | Mike Glover

[hardback]

Democratic presidential contender Hillary Clinton drew a distinction between President Bush's decision to commute the sentence of White House aide I. Lewis ``Scooter'' Libby - which she has harshly criticized - and her husband's 140 pardons in his closing hours in office.

``I believe that presidential pardon authority is available to any president, and almost all presidents have exercised it,'' Clinton said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press.

``This (the Libby decision) was clearly an effort to protect the White House. ... There isn't any doubt now, what we know is that Libby was carrying out the implicit or explicit wishes of the vice president, or maybe the president as well, in the further effort to stifle dissent.''

Libby, a former chief of staff for Vice President Dick Cheney, had been sentenced to 30 months in prison as well as two years' probation and a $250,000 fine for perjury in connection with the leaking of CIA agent Valerie Plane's name to reporters.

Just hours after a federal appeals court rejected Libby's appeal, Bush announced his decision to commute the prison term portion of the sentence, which he labeled excessive.

As she campaigns with her husband for Iowa's leadoff precinct caucuses, Clinton has joined other Democrats in ripping Bush's decision. In the interview, she said it was ``one more example'' of the Bush administration thinking ``it is above the rule of law.''

Her husband's pardons, issued in the closing hours of his presidency, were simply routine exercise in the use of the pardon power, and none were aimed at protecting the Clinton presidency or legacy, she said.

``This particular action by the president is one more piece of evidence in their ongoing disregard for the rule of law that they think they don't have to answer to,'' she said.

[misterrob]

And other likely considerations...

[HipShot]

"so should she..."

Travelgate

Quoted from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_House_travel_office_controversy

"... In 1998 Independent Counsel Kenneth Starr exonerated President Bill Clinton of any involvement in the matter. In 2000 Independent Counsel Robert Ray issued his final report on Travelgate, stating that Hillary Clinton had made factually false statements but saying there was insufficient evidence to prosecute her. ..."

Charges of "cronyism" and "ideology" coming from this evil woman are mindboggling.

[Zon]

Hillary pardoned Bill for raping Juanita Broderick.

[nativist]

Who could Bush and Cheney be protecting and from what? Fitzfong knew Armitage had leaked the name of the CIA desk jockey who got her husband the job discrediting the war. The investigation was simply a fishing expedition to get someone to misspeak during testimony so there could be a conviction to justify the investigation in the first place.

No Hillary you lying phony. The difference is that Libby is a nobody who was railroaded and set up. You and your husband pardoned Puerto Rican terrorists to help you in your Senate election and Marc Rich, the white collar scam artist who was on the lamb, was pardoned because his wife gave you $400,000 clams for you museum in Little Rock.

spit!

[nativist]

Suprised the ‘smartest woman in the world’ decided to cross that minefield.

Could Bushhitlerchimp have set up the smartest woman in the world? Or should I say.....

Rove You Magnificent Bastard!

[MizSterious]

It was more than “140.”

[patj]

There isn't any doubt now, what we know is that Libby was carrying out the implicit or explicit wishes of the vice president, or maybe the president as well, in the further effort to stifle dissent.''

How does she know this? She must have found Bill's stash.

[Seeker of the Truth]

The Clinton’s don’t care about protecting their reputations because they know their supporters don’t care either.

[Seeker of the Truth]

The liberal press won’t make Hillary answer any of your questions.

[TommyDale]

"Her husband's pardons, issued in the closing hours of his presidency, were simply routine exercise in the use of the pardon power, and none were aimed at protecting the Clinton presidency or legacy, she said."

No, Hillary, your husband actually SOLD pardons to people for large contributions to his "library". We all know it, you conveniently cannot seem to recall it. You and your husband are both scum.

[BoneShaker]

CLINTONS LEAVING THE WHITE HOUSE
How The Pro's Did It

[Holicheese]

How about Mel Martinez. He was only having sex with underage girls...He was a former congressman so I can see why its important to pardon him.

[PhiKapMom]

Don’t forget Marc Rich — DOJ was opposed to that one.

[Let's Roll]

“The Jury took Russert’s side because Denis Collins the Jury Foreman is a neighbor and friend of Russert.”

And there was no mistrial - or was this saved to use on appeal?

[Doogle]

Privately, congressional Republicans concede...

..THATS THE PROBLEM!!!!...you didn't have to go any further, and if people look back, it don't matter what the issue is,......sadly we are looking at another 40 year period of Congressional RAT control if people don't prod and hassle these spineless vote whores into ACTION

[devolve]

[Chili Girl]

"Her husband's pardons, issued in the closing hours of his presidency, were simply routine exercise in the use of the pardon power, and none were aimed at protecting the Clinton presidency or legacy"

RIGHT...not protecting anyone here - just 140 little pardons for fun...

On another note - WHEN IS THE PRESIDENT GOING TO PARDON THOSE BORDER PATROL AGENTS???

[Osage Orange]

When someone from the GOP brings these points up...would someone wake me.

When someone possibly does...could someone tell me if the DBM/MSM talks about it.

Where do I live?

Russia?

[NRA2BFree]

Aw, whazup with you justifying hizzonor, your thighness? Have you been reading FR to know that we were all saying what a hypocrite you are??? Remember the terrorists that your hubby pardoned??? Libby is NOT a terrorist.

[advertising guy]

you gotta know this is manna from heaven for one Dennis Miller