What's your reaction to Bush commuting Libby's jail term?

Question

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070703/ap_on_go_pr_wh/cia_leak_trial

Bush communtes Libby's jail term calling it "excessive." Libby gets $250,000 fine and probation.

Answer 1

Obviously he didn't go far enough. Libby is deserving of a full pardon for the ridiculous, trumped-up charges he was "convicted" of in the first place.

Just like border security, Bush got it wrong by not going all the way. And that, not the Iraq war, is why his ratings are always so low.

Answer 2

My reaction? Well, I totally expected something like this. I knew that Libby was NOT going to do jail time. But I must admit I did expect a full pardon.

I also was very, very close in predicting the timing of this thing - just a couple of days off, I thought maybe it would be on July 3 or 4. You see, they often try and slide these sensitive decisions during holidays or times when the public is not paying a lot of attention to the news, like Easter, July 4, Christmas, Thanksgiving etc.

Answer 3

I am surprised that we didn't see a pardon. He helped out his own guy a little bit, but seeing as his approval ratings are pretty much unsalvageable anyway, you'd think that the President would go for the whole enchilada.

I completely disagree that it was an "excessive punishment". A jury of citizens and found him guilty and the judge himself cited "overwhelming evidence" pointing to Libby's guilt. It was only 2 1/2 years anyway. The President just said that to have a reason to do what he did.

At least it will still be on his record.

Answer 4

An inevitable act of politics. He lied to authority, and thus he should have served some time. We'll see how probation for 2 years and a 250 grand fine works. But we also need to go after Armitage.

Answer 5

This right to pardon is a remnant of feudal times and not worthy of a vibrant democracy like ours. Clinton did the same nonsense, Bush shouldn't do so and should prove that he really wants a real democracy. We have to maintain a strict seperation of powers, a strict seperation of executive and judiciary. Montesquieu is crying tonight and America is crying with him. This is the end of the innocence.

Answer 6

It was a waste of tax payer money to begin with as the prosecutor knew that Dick Artimage was the leak from the very beginning. All this whole fiasco has been is a waste of tax payer dollars and a public spectacle for the Democrats to point at.

Answer 7

From what i have seen and read, the guy was a fall guy for someone else so, yes, I'm glad he got a commute.
I seen Judge Judy on Larry King and he asked her what she thought of the sentence he got and she stated she thought it was excessive.

Answer 8

to me I think the Libby case was a wast of time and a wast of tax payers money we known who did it why not put the real culprit in jail.

Answer 9

Sounds like someone is getting away with murder. Isn't it funny how the Republicans are attempting to get away with something that they impeached Clinton for? Like I have said in many of my responses, i do not trust anyone in the governement anymore. They are all liars and they only have their own best interests at heart.

Answer 10

WOW I guess the Judicial system must not work anymore since Mr Bush thinks that he knows more than experienced Judges and American Juries, what a freaking farce, must be nice playing God and destroying peoples confidence in the American Justice System, What a great American Mr Bush is now excuse me while I go puke then cry for my country's newest loss