No Prison for Libby

President Bush didn't pardon Scooter Libby, but he said no prison time.

Statement by the President

There's no question that the President did the right thing.

The Leftists, of course, are having fits, sort of.

The President has an absolute right to do this. But by commuting the sentence of his former Presidential advisor and the former Number 2 to Dick Cheney — the President has put protecting Dick Cheney and his actions above respect for America’s system of justice.

This is a shameful, self-dealing action which will have long-term political ramifications for the Bush Administration. And it should.

The entire case — from betrayal of Valerie Plame Wilson by members of her own government to the inception of the investigation into that betrayal from a referral from the CIA…all the way through to the conviction of I. Lewis Libby of multiple felony counts by a federal jury and the stiff sentence for a convicted felon meted out by a conservative federal judge — all of it has served to highlight the lies on which the invasion of Iraq rested. And how far the members of the Bush Administration were willing to go to keep those lies buried and away from the public’s knowledge.

That George Bush commuted Libby’s sentence just as he returned from a trip to his father’s family compound in Maine, ran into the White House away from the press and refused to answer any questions about his own involvement in the case, his own interview with Patrick Fitzgerald and federal investigators, and any remaining questions that still hang out there about the cloud over Dick Cheney underscores the craven and disrespectful conduct of the Bush Administration from start to finish. There is nothing that these people will not do to protect their own, whatever the cost may be for the long term to the public confidence in the rule of law. This is a slap in the face to the members of the jury and all of the federal judges who have ruled on the substantial amount of evidence of Libby’s guilt and the weakness of his attempts to appeal.

Blah, blah, blah.

All the libs are rushing to give their statements and write their drivel.

I think they're feigning outrage. The passion isn't there.

We know. We know. They hate the President and his administration.

The commutation of Libby's sentence gives them some ammo, a purpose to shoot off their mouths; but I don't think they really care about Plame and Wilson and Libby anymore. It's a sideshow.

True, by not giving a full pardon, Bush stayed on the fence somewhat. No doubt, conservative critics will get on his case for that.

What matters most is that Bush spared Libby that disgracefully excessive prison sentence. It was ridiculous that the federal court of appeals wanted Libby behind bars even as he would be appealing the conviction.

Chuck Shumer responded to the President's action as a typical lib would:

"As Independence Day nears, we are reminded that one of the principles our forefathers fought for was equal justice under the law. This commutation completely tramples on that principle."

What a load!

Independence Day. Forefathers.

What an absolute load!

Bottom line: Bush did the right thing.