NYTimes: For Libby, Bush Seemed to Alter His Texas Policy

[Kadie]

For Libby, Bush Seemed to Alter His Texas Policy

By ADAM LIPTAK
Published: July 8, 2007

Until he commuted the 30-month prison sentence of I. Lewis Libby Jr. on Monday, President Bush had said almost nothing about his philosophy in granting clemency while at the White House.

Mr. Bush explained his clemency philosophy in Texas in his 1999 memoir, “A Charge to Keep.”

“In every case,” he wrote, “I would ask: Is there any doubt about this individual’s guilt or innocence? And, have the courts had ample opportunity to review all the legal issues in this case?”

In Mr. Libby’s case, Mr. Bush expressed no doubts about his guilt. He said he respected the jury’s verdict, and he did not pardon Mr. Libby, leaving him a convicted felon. And Mr. Bush acted before the courts had completed their review of his appeal.

“As governor, Bush essentially viewed the clemency power as limited to cases of demonstrable actual innocence,” said Jordan M. Steiker, a law professor at the University of Texas who has represented death-row inmates.

“The exercise of the commutation power in Libby,” Professor Steiker continued, “represents a dramatic shift from his attitude toward clemency in Texas, and it is entirely inconsistent with his longstanding, very limited approach.”

more...
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/08/washington/08commute.html?_r=1&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&adxnnlx=1183831524-qgVxh3x0ept3VbZ3vvL7jw

[Rosa Luxemburg]

1. The Texas executioner has suddenly gone all soft?

when it suits him

[aquart]

2. Because this isn't about policy.

It's about keeping his ass from dangling from a tree.

[SammyWinstonJack]

3. And EVERYONE KNOWS IT!

Though some *cough* repugs *cough* won't admit it.

[Edweird]

5. Yup. But it ain't over till it's over. He still might end up there.

[mrcheerful]

4. Why all the surprise? I knew that scooter the pooter wouldn't do prison time or have any problem

coming up with the fine money. How many DU threads were there that couldn't believe that Scooter the pooter got charged and how people were surprised that he wasn't singing his heart out? The deal was made a long time ago, thats why they are beyond the reach of the law, they don't snitch each other out and if they resign we never hear another peep from them.