Presidential Pardons....where do they fit in??

[QuettaKid]

after all the hoopla of today is over, can't bush just pardon libby and cheney ( if it comes to that *fingers crossed* ) when all is said and done...??

[bowens43]

1. yes, he can.

in fact he could pardon them right now if he so desired.

[VolcanoJen]

2. Caspar Weinberger was pardoned just days before his trial.

So, apparently, presidents can pardon even before convictions.

I hate the idea, but wouldn't it be politically safer for Bush to pardon Libby, and take the heat for that, rather than endure a risky, lengthy, televised trial where all the dirtiest secrets and evidence of "rat-fucking" are revealed?

[DoYouEverWonder]

4. Didn't Bush pardon Weinberger

for crimes committed during Reagan's presidency? Very rarely has a sitting President pardoned someone who was a member of their own administration.

[Loonman]

3. Probable

But that would be an endorsement of criminal behavior, which is the Republican Party's stock in trade.