July 2nd, 2007
06:57 PM ET
5 years ago

Libby commutation: Washington responds

Washington was quick to react to the Libby commutation Monday.


Melanie Sloan, legal counsel to Joe and Valerie Wilson

Sen. Barack Obama, D-Illinois, and presidential candidate

Sen. Charles Schumer, D-New York

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nevada

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-California

Sen. Joe Biden, D-Delaware, presidential candidate

Former Sen. John Edwards, presidential candidate

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, presidential candidate



Former GOP Sen. Fred Thompson, likely presidential candidate

Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-New York, presidential candidate

Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, presidential candidate

Filed under: Scooter Libby
soundoff (1,240 Responses)
  1. Chris, Grand Rapids MI

    Only a few weeks ago I can remember the outrage that this country had when it looked like Paris Hilton wasn't going to serve any time for her crimes. I hope that this country feels 10 times the outrage for a man who isn't going to serve a single day for far more serious trangressions. This is not a partisan issue, this is American justice falling on the sword of inequity, and it is disgraceful.

    July 3, 2007 12:00 am at 12:00 am |
  2. Steven

    Funny how the Republicans impeached Clinton for lying about a consensual sexual relationship but then they pardon or repreive Republicans who lie about matters of state, Casper Weinberger pardoned by the first Bush and now Scooter Libby pardoned by the second Bush.

    Who would have imagined that Paris Hilton would get more jail time than Libby?

    July 3, 2007 12:02 am at 12:02 am |
  3. Simon, San jose CA

    bush does what bush wants. Hes just a couple steps from declaring himself dictator of the United states of Ridiculousness.

    I try to be a proud american, but its hard to do so when our leaders are scum.

  4. Roland, San Diego, CA

    Welcome to Bush's America. Even Paris Hilton ended up spending her time in jail. It is time for the Democrats to show that they have some cajones and put impeachment back on the table. I want my country back!

    July 3, 2007 12:05 am at 12:05 am |
  5. Rob Wilson, Marlborough, MA

    Disgusting! Just when you thought Bush had reached bottom, he finds a new way to jeopardize everything we hold dear.

  6. Christopher Marks; Cumming, GA

    As usual, I sense the height of hypocrisy in most of the democratic comments regarding Scooter Libby's sentence commutation by President Bush. Where the heck were you when Mr. Clinton pardoned his group of criminals as he left office? Of all people – Hillary ought to bite her tongue!!!

    July 3, 2007 12:06 am at 12:06 am |
  7. bill daul, palo alto, ca

    WATCH...the conservatives need to win the next election for the President to pardon the Republican Party uhmmm I mean Cheney and Bush...mark my words...as much as I will be revolted by another conservative President I see no hope for a liberal (even if a liberal today is a right-winger from a few years ago).

    Besides...the so called Democrat seem to overall still answer to the richest supporters...not you and I...Democrats are only weak Republicans.

  8. Jeb Byers, Durham, NH

    It is unbelievable to me that there are people out there so blindly partisan that they are applauding this. I don’t care how conservative one is- these guys (Libby and his higher-ups)exposed a CIA operative during war time. If Libby had been a Democrat he would have been executed as a traitor. Bush has made our country so fiercely partisan the way he has politicized war and science and everything. Very scary.

  9. Jamaal F, Los Angeles CA

    Being an American today is like being a Celtics fan<b> no offense to all the great players in Boston, but their was a time when you could truly be proud to be a Celtics fan, you knew that they wouldn't let u down, and that they would give you their best even if they failed. Well today, u may find yourself disappointed to be a Celtics Fan, they have lost their swagger. America is the same way, we used to stand on a moral high ground, and now it is like that image has been shattered by an administration that has taken the law and the constitution into their own hands. I can not sit here and see a young man, Ginardo Wilson, 17 yrs of age, sit in a jail cell for ten years for receiving consensual felatio from a 15 year old girl. While at the same time, a most senior official gets off for revealing the identity of a C.I.A. agent??! That is not only purgery, but it should be regarded as treason. And to here President Bush make it seem like this guy is still being punished. The system is a joke, and the administrations greatest crime is that they have made a mockery of our justice system and the constitution. So todays American can only sit in the stands and not be proud of our team, because we are not the team we once were. I can't help but feeling that it doesn't matter who wins the next election, their is no way they could be worst than the team we have put out right now. Bring home the troops and stop lying to the people, yeah the people, REMEMBER US??? This is our country, not your personal board game!
    Jamaal F
    Proud American

    July 3, 2007 12:07 am at 12:07 am |
  10. L Hunt, Seattle, WA

    Look Deeper.

    Although I agree this is a mockery of justice, there's more here than meets the eye. By precedent, Bush normally would have waited until Libby was in jail to commute the sentence. However he chose to look even more foolish right before July 4th.

    The real story is: why was Bush pushed into action? One wonders if Libby knows something which gives him the clout to have his sentence commuted. There's something very unsettling about this turn of events.

  11. JM, Chicago, IL

    After a lengthy trial, a jury decided that Mr. Libby was guilty of perjury, obstruction of justice and lying to investigators. What do Messrs. Bush and Giuliani know that the jury did not?

  12. Ivan Hunt, North Brunswick, NJ

    A criminal assisting another and giving him a pat in the back. This shows how dangerous a lame duck can be. We are proud of you for showing how low American values can be to the rest of the world. IMPEACH BUSH.

    July 3, 2007 12:09 am at 12:09 am |
  13. Bob R., Minneaplis, MN

    Please remind Fred Thompson and the other GOP supporters who voted to impeach Bill Clinton why they did: Obstruction of justice and lying to a grand jury.

    These are the same charges brought against Scotter Libby. Only thing, this bunch of "patriots" think they are above the law.

    Bush didn't even have the courage to make his announcement in a press confrence. He hid behind a press-release and the long holiday weekend. If he has any self-dignity he should resign from office.

    How much more can OUR nation really take of this pathetic, un-american administration? 18 months is much too long.

  14. David Takoma Park. MD

    Just another case of Bush flouting the law. I wonder if other perjurers and obstructors get off, or is just those who cover up Bush's misdeeds?

    July 3, 2007 12:10 am at 12:10 am |
  15. Sheila Covey, Searcy, Arkansas

    I believe the rule of law has left the White House. Our country could once boast of her greatness. Our credibility is gone. Our forefathers would hang their heads in shame. I hang my head in shame. As much as I regret to write it, I believe President Bush and Vice-President Chaney should be impeached. Carl Rove and other cohorts of this administration should also be held accountable for all the corruption that has and is taking place.

    July 3, 2007 12:11 am at 12:11 am |
  16. Woodland Hills , CA

    Why no comment from Dennis Kucinich???

    He submitted a bill in Congress to impeach VP Dick Cheney. He is the problem not Scooter!!!

    July 3, 2007 12:12 am at 12:12 am |
  17. MJ

    George Bush is a horrible President.

  18. Shawn Price - Parker, CO

    Sadly enough, the American Public has only itself to blame – yet again – for the status quo. Remember that the authority to commute a sentence as in this case is the executive priviledge of The President. This is the reason why a republic MUST give the utmost caution to who it elects. So if you voted for G. W. Bush in 2000 and/or 2004 (or even if you didn't vote, and let your silence speak for you), then you can consider yourself personally responsible for this administration's ongoing efforts to destroy this countries highest aspirations and good name with impunity.

    Hopefully this will be a clear reminder for all of us to do the right thing next time we're called to vote.

    July 3, 2007 12:13 am at 12:13 am |
  19. carlos, charlotte, nc

    Yeah it's a blow to justice, but is anybody really surprised by this. Bush has and will always look out for those who do his bidding regardless of how inept or criminal their actions may be. It's not about what's good for America, it's about what's good for him and his people.

    Seeing that Bush doesn't seem to regard perjury as such a big deal, someone should ask him if he thinks Clinton should have been impeached.

    Republicans were quick to pull the trigger on Clinton, but apparently Libby doesn't deserve the same scrutiny.

    July 3, 2007 12:16 am at 12:16 am |
  20. Neil Snyder, Capitola, CA

    My second post. I just read Giuliani's comments. I hope and trust that the American people get to know more of Rudy. The more folks understand how Rudy thinks and acts, the more folks will come to understand why, as mayor of New York, he was a completely incompetent leader.

    It always amazes me how the weakest candidates seem to rise to the top of the political ladder in this country.

    Why did I sit down at the PC tonight...just ruined my evening.

    July 3, 2007 12:17 am at 12:17 am |
  21. Anthony O'Bannon, Baltimore, MD

    I hate to bring race into this but... if Scooter Libby was a minority democrat he would have put to death for acts of treason. This administration has used the constitution to defend their actions while they they do every thing in their power to weaken its power. We as americans regardless of political affiliation MUST see this action by the Bush Administration as an outrageous assualt on everything that the founders of this country believed in. I feel that this is one of the last gasps of life for this republic and that justice has reallly become JUST US!

    July 3, 2007 12:18 am at 12:18 am |
  22. Jim Anthony, Milliken, CO

    The President today showed the American people that he has no respect for the law. We impeached Richard Nixon for similar actions, tried to impeach Bill Clinton for immoral acts, I say that it's time for the House of Representative to start a Bill of Impeachment against President Bush, if they have the backbone for it.

    July 3, 2007 12:19 am at 12:19 am |
  23. Andrew Copnick, Deerfield Beach, FL

    This is American justice? Just goes to show you...one set of rules for wealthy Republicans and another set of rules for rest of us. Oh...how about a ban on watching NBC's "Law and Order"? Fred Thompson calls Scooter a "good American"? Where is the law and order in that?

  24. G Dog, Madison, WI

    Treason from our President and Vice President should be treated as it was in the past to any Benedict Arnold...Trial, Conviction, Public Hanging.

  25. Neal Castagnoli, Morgan Hill, CA

    The "Washington responds" section is interesting in that it gives a voice to those who predominately have a political interest in condemnation.

    This section should be balanced by those who are neutral.

    July 3, 2007 12:23 am at 12:23 am |