I didn't follow the Scooter Libby case all that closely, but my general sense was that the guy got a raw deal and probably didn't deserve to go to jail. That being said, Bush's commutation of Libby's sentence is a clear sign that the Bush administration, for all intents and purposes, is finished. If he had any political capital left at all, he wouldn't have done it. But, having none, he must've figured that there was nothing to lose by doing what he felt was right. Bush has never used this power before, but it's probably not a coincidence that he first employed it for a member of his administration.
***
For the most part, my only interest in partisan politics is the horse race aspect of it. Once a candidate wins, I couldn't really care less. But during election season, it's on. In terms of covering the horse race, I've found no better source than Alex Forshaw, the Tradesports Political Maven, whose analysis of the race so far seems spot on. Definitely a daily must read.
His analysis of the John McCain implosion has been particularly spot on. So who's next to go down the tubes, Rudy or Romney?
***
And here's a good question: should Barack Obama pay a windfall profits tax based on his record haul for the quarter?
From what little I've read, I think Libby's sentence was appropriate, but that they didn't get those really responsible - the guys that are also responsible for getting his sentence commuted. You're right, though. There is little political capital left in this administration.
Posted by: Mike Goad | July 03, 2007 at 10:21 AM
Libby was convicted by a jury of his peers and was sentenced by a federal judge who followed federal guidelines in handing down the punishment. How is it a raw deal?
Posted by: Forest Ranger | July 03, 2007 at 11:25 AM
I’ve desired to write something similar to this on my webpage and this has given me a concept. Cheers.
http://hamleto.edublogs.org
Posted by: sweetlykid | September 28, 2011 at 10:07 PM