Fred Thompson on Libby

Posted: Monday, July 02, 2007 6:22 PM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: Courts, Republicans

From NBC's Joel Seidman
Likely presidential candidate Fred Thompson (R) released this statement: "I am very happy for Scooter Libby. I know that this is a great relief to him, his wife and children. While for a long time I have urged a pardon for Scooter, I respect the President's decision. This will allow a good American, who has done a lot for his country, to resume his life."

EMAIL THIS

Comments

This was an excessive punishment from a liberal jury. Rapists get less than this. Thanks W for putting the liberals in their place for once. Clinton and perjury? Hmmm.....

Leann, Atlanta (Sent Monday, July 02, 2007 7:24 PM)

Thompson must tell us now, what was his cut of the Scooter defense fund for which he worked so arduously? Who cam believe that surpentine lobbyist Thompson would be part of anything that didn't pay well?t

Jazzbeaux Beiderbeck, Jackson Hole, Wyoming (Sent Monday, July 02, 2007 7:25 PM)

I agree. At least Fred Thompson has the backbone to say it publicly, despite what OBAMA says. OBama doesn't favor mandatory sentencing for first time offenders, but he does in this case. Go figure...

Ron Rudillary (Sent Monday, July 02, 2007 7:25 PM)

Okay, Paris Hilton went to jail. But a guy who outed a CIA agent's identity doesn't?

Terry (Sent Monday, July 02, 2007 7:27 PM)

Hm. Thompsons' response came minutes after Obamas' on Drudge. Is it important to make a speedy statement these days? What does Hillary think? Was Edwards getting a haircut while this went down, so we won't hear from him till dinnertime?

Jeremy, Anchorage Alaska (Sent Monday, July 02, 2007 7:28 PM)

I agree! Found guilty of what? No crime was committed. The DA knew Libby wasn't the person who "outed" that woman (whatever her name was). Even in this trial, no one knew if she was covert or not. Sounds like Mike Nifong was in charge of this case.

jana webb, florence, oregon (Sent Monday, July 02, 2007 7:28 PM)

If only everybody had connections like Libby? Everyone convicted would be on probation,no matter the offense.

C (Sent Monday, July 02, 2007 7:28 PM)

This is a great COMPROMISE, the President COULD have pardoned Mr. Liby, but chose to let the legalities proceed. To this end, I pray that Mr. Libby will on appeal, be able to demonstrate the unfairness of the sentence on two reasons, 1. he was not allowed to demonstrate in court that MS Plame did not merit the protecton(s) of the law ... because the Judge said that was not an issue in this case, only to make it an issue on his reason(s) for such a hard sentence. and 2. That Mr. Fitzgerald violated his commission every day he worked after his learning of the actual source of the leak, and that it was not from within the White House.

In readding material on this case, it can be clearly demonstrated that many of the witnesses against Mr. Libby had the same kinds of difficulty with memory and fact as did Mr. Libby, only they were not on trial.

Warren Kirbo an artist from,, Mt Juliet TN, (Sent Monday, July 02, 2007 7:28 PM)

To any Democrat who criticize this decision, I have only two words: Sandy Berger.

John Relle, Thousand Oaks, CA (Sent Monday, July 02, 2007 7:29 PM)

I'm very proud of President Bush for standing up for Scooter Libby; Only a liberal media outlet would defend that he should be put behind bars; Joe Wilson IMO is the real "traitor" here....

Tim Vickery (Sent Monday, July 02, 2007 7:29 PM)

So what about Ramos and Compean? Where is the Border Patrol agents' pardons commutes? I AM SORRY I VOTED FOR YOU!

Secure the border! Fire our President!

Landon, The Woodlands, Texas (Sent Monday, July 02, 2007 7:29 PM)

Scooter is not even the one guilty of the crime they tried to pin on him. If each of us were to tell the story of what we said and when and to whom from years ago, we would more then likely be in his shoes... I think the prosecuter should be jailed for persuing the alligation from an innocent man.

Corbin, Seattle, WA (Sent Monday, July 02, 2007 7:30 PM)

It's about time, but he shouldn't have to pay a dime!!!

Pam, San Antonio, TX (Sent Monday, July 02, 2007 7:30 PM)

Didn't President Clinton get impeached for lying under oath?

Jim (Sent Monday, July 02, 2007 7:30 PM)

The President did NOT do enough. An executive pardon was in order to extinguish, once and for all, the full effect (i.e., the $250,000 fine and probation) of this travesty and abuse of prosecutorial power by Fitzgerald.

A. Lindeman, U.S. Judge (Ret.), Greenbrae, CA (Sent Monday, July 02, 2007 7:31 PM)

We now have a two caste system. If you are rich and pwerful and held accountable under the LAW-don't worry-one of your buddies will bail you out. As a long time republican upset with the Clinton debacle (standing pres lying under oath) the Republicans have now joined the chorus. I hope there is a worth while indy out there next year.

J Bishop, Tacoma, Wa (Sent Monday, July 02, 2007 7:31 PM)

Scooter Libby should have been pardoned long ago. There was no underlying crime committed. The entire issue is a farce. He was railroaded by an out of control prosecutor and an extreme left-wing agenda driven press.

R. Valdok (Sent Monday, July 02, 2007 7:32 PM)

kUDO'S for the President. Ultimately, upon the completion of the appeal process, Libby will be exonerated. It is a shame that the deep pockets of our public prosecutorial system can be manipulated to create a criminal charge where an underlying crime never existed.

Edward Wightman, Bellingham, WA (Sent Monday, July 02, 2007 7:32 PM)

FINALLY!!!! What a wonderful reversal of what could only be termed a travesty!!! Thank you Mr. Bush!

Betsy, Lynden, WA (Sent Monday, July 02, 2007 7:35 PM)

it is within the rights of president under the powers of the consitution to grant clemency (as president clinton did years ago, pardoning over a hundred people just prior to his leaving office).

john remchick (Sent Monday, July 02, 2007 7:35 PM)

Funny that Bush and his gang complain about "activist judges" but when one judge after another agrees that Libby broke the law and should be punished, Bush and the gang cry "foul". Outing an undercover CIA agent during a time of war should be considered treason, and we all know what the penalty for treason is. Instead this treasonous act is brushed off as if it's a parking ticket. Once again the Bush gang demonstrates their absolute contempt for the rule of law.

ASR (Sent Monday, July 02, 2007 7:36 PM)

If he went to jail, so should have Clinton.

Dave, Franklin, MA (Sent Monday, July 02, 2007 7:36 PM)

I agree wholeheartedly.. while Mr. Libby I do not agree with or his politics.. this is a man who did alot of good for America. More than his Gaffee offset.

Finally Bush makes a decent decision.

Daniel Hodous, Riverside, Cali (Sent Monday, July 02, 2007 7:37 PM)

Right on Fred! The politicizing of the judicial system is tragic. It is exactly the type of behavior that is the result of government growth. As politicians seek more and more power at our expense, those with the power attack their foes with the power of the state. Think about it. Scooter goes down for leaking a name, while Sandy Berger gets nothing for stealing from the National Archives. Leaks are the norm in Washington. Remember the foreign surveilence program or the secret prisons or the rendition program? Who was prosecuted over these leaks? Nobody! We must stop this our of control government; please read my Independence Day message at www.joshbmack.com.

Joshua Mack, Los Angeles, CA (Sent Monday, July 02, 2007 7:38 PM)

This should raise a huge red flag for anyone considering
Thompson for President. Maybe he subscribes to the President and his cronies being above the law as does
Bush and company.

Nick Dorsey (Sent Monday, July 02, 2007 7:38 PM)

What else can we expect? The President wanted to give amnesty to 12-20 million illegal aliens, now he keeps Scooter out of jail when he promised to await the final result, after all appeals.

Where is the rule of law? Let's keep our fingers crossed for the next eighteen months.

Carman Conforti, Chesterfield Twp MI 48047 (Sent Monday, July 02, 2007 7:39 PM)

Well said. Libby made a stupid mistake and will still pay, but there has to be balance for the level of service he has given to this country. Thompson's comments area a direct contrast to those of Obama, who whined that Libby's actions "compromised our national security." Obviously Thompson understands what happened better than Obama, who must not have even understood the facts of the case (Libby was not the source of the leak; the sentence was based on lying). Obama is a knee jerk candidate, who says whatever he thinks will get him elected. Sad.

Russ Brown, Yuba City, CA (Sent Monday, July 02, 2007 7:39 PM)

Sometimes you must do the right thing. Mr. Bush did the right thing.

Bob Ellis, Arlington,Tx. (Sent Monday, July 02, 2007 7:40 PM)

The whole case was a sham and political theater...I am glad Bush has shown some courage.

jon,thousand oaks, ca (Sent Monday, July 02, 2007 7:41 PM)

I am very happy that the President eliminated the jail time for Mr. Libby. I feel that it should have been a full pardon for him but at least he won't be sitting in jail.

I am happy that Fred Thompson feels basically the same. His star is getting brighter all the time---in my opinion.

Ted Pierce, Folsom, Ca (Sent Monday, July 02, 2007 7:41 PM)

PRESIDENT BUSH WAS RIGHT TO COMMUTE HIS SENTANCE,HOWEVER,THE FINE & PROBATION SHOULD HAVE BEEN WIPED OUT ALSO.

ROBERT YOUNG,FORTVILLE,IND. (Sent Monday, July 02, 2007 7:43 PM)

THIS IS AN ABUSE OF POWER. PRESIDENTS HAVE USED THIS POWER TOO MANY DONES TO PARDON THOSE AROUND THEM WHO HAVE COMMITTED CRIMES. IT IS TIME CONGRESS AMENDS THE CONSTITUTION TO ONLY GIVE THE PRESIDENT PARDON RIGHTS FOR THOSE WHO DO NOT WORK IN THE WHITE HOUSE WITH HIM. THIS WOULD NOT HAVE HAPPEN HAD NIXON BEEN SENT TO PRISON FOR HIS GROSS ABUSE OF POWER. INSTEAD THE REPUBLICANS GO TO HIS BIRTH PLACE IN YORBA LINDA LIKE PILGRIMS GOING TO MECCA.

Steve Henderson, Claremont,CA (Sent Monday, July 02, 2007 7:44 PM)

Although I am very happy for Libby , since he was the scape goat, I do feel that the American people have been deprived of justice in this matter. It seems as though Thompson and the rest of the repubs are so worried about our national security that they would rather waste time trying to deny millions of hard working, tax paying, undocumented, immigrants citizenshiphere than finding a real solution when agents enforcing our national security are exposed for political ambition. I agree that the whole world will breathe a sigh of relief when this party and administration is deprived the power to lead this naion. By the way Fred, the Cubans are alot more effective baseball players than terrorists. :)

David (Sent Monday, July 02, 2007 7:45 PM)

Apparently David Shuster didn't read this statement before hosting Hardball at 7pm. Shuster said Republicans have been silent on this... Fred Thompson is a Republican, give him some credit and read the statement!

Tony King (Sent Monday, July 02, 2007 7:46 PM)

Mr. Thompson, how much money did you spend on Libby;s defense fund? How Mmch money are you spending on his appeal? Oops. On the latter, nothing because you lobbied our President to commute his sentence.

Desmond (Sent Monday, July 02, 2007 7:46 PM)

By this act Bush has partly restaored his credibility.

Charles Arney, Los Altos, CA (Sent Monday, July 02, 2007 7:47 PM)

Where is this country headed when a great public servant is sentenced to 30 months in prison for having a faulty memory? Besides, I easily believe an honorable man such as Scooter Libby over the likes of Tim Russert and others from the Driveby-Media.

Cap Engel, Scottsdale, Arizona. (Sent Monday, July 02, 2007 7:48 PM)

Fred Thompson's comments are totally inappropriate. Where is his outrage over Valerie Plame being "outed".

Fred should go back to acting, he doesn't need to think there since they write his lines.

Sully - Baltimore MD (Sent Monday, July 02, 2007 7:49 PM)

Welll, money talks and B.S walks! Ah Yes, this week and last will be in the History books ""Washington Paper Hanger missed hanging himself". But we the small guy will always be made to pay a debt!

Mr. Thompson has made a terrible mistake with his comment! Does he not respect our courts? Does he support 12 million Illeals roaming our streets?

Welll, the Washington Paper hangers win Again!

Straight Up (Sent Monday, July 02, 2007 7:49 PM)

I agree with Fred . Hopefully at the last of his term he will give full pardon.

Tim Voss (Sent Monday, July 02, 2007 7:50 PM)

This will free a man who did ABSOLUTELY NOTHING WRONG!

Dan Savage, Seattle, Wash. (Sent Monday, July 02, 2007 7:50 PM)

Does this commutation prevent any further appeal of the conviction? None of the articles mention that, but he did not give him a full pardon and with the other penalties and a conviction still on the record does that allow for a continuation of his appeal.

AW phx, az

Alan White (Sent Monday, July 02, 2007 7:51 PM)

This is the first right thing President Bush has done
in a long time. I'm still angry with him supporting
the BAD immigration bill saying it was better than nothing.......DUH? Another bad bill is worse than doing nothing......get it right Mr. President.

At least he didn't grant this to real bad criminals like Clinton did in his term.

Ali Osborne (Sent Monday, July 02, 2007 7:53 PM)

Great. Another crook running for office. If you support a traitor you are a traitor. Outing a covert operative is treason.

Andy Pasadena, CA (Sent Monday, July 02, 2007 7:54 PM)

Wow, just put a strike through "Law" in that show "Law and Order."

Patrick Flood (Sent Monday, July 02, 2007 7:55 PM)

I agree with the President's pardon. Libby should have never been prosecuted for a faulty memory. Why would any sane person seek to be open and honest with a prosecutor in the future under the perfect memory required standard as apparently established in this case. Plead the fifth whenever possible unless a grant of immunity comes with the testimony.

jim A. Vancouver, WA. (Sent Monday, July 02, 2007 7:55 PM)

In an administration that has consistently and repeatedly lied to the public, Scooter Libby was just the one that got caught on just one of the many lies.

To be happy for Libby's sentence being commuted, Fred Thompson let's all of us know that we can expect lies to move unpopular policy just like Bush has done.

Steve Sommers, San Francisco, California (Sent Monday, July 02, 2007 7:55 PM)

Actually Scooter Libby deserved a full pardon, not just a comutation of his prison term. Why? The original charge was outing V. Plame from her CIA secret job. It is now well known that Deputy Secretary of State Armitage was the leak and no charges have ever been bought about by the Special Prosecutor so what he did must have been legal as well. If he deserved the big $250K fine and 2 1/2 years behind bars for lying to the FBI the President Clinton should have faced the same fate as he also lied to the FBI as well.

Doug Griffiths, Gravette AR (Sent Monday, July 02, 2007 7:57 PM)

Fred Thompson has officially alientated,offended and outrage me and thousand of others with this ridiculos,idiotic and "pardon"SIN comment!
Stick to what u know Mr. Thompson.....being a C-rated ACTOR!

joe public,morristown,nj (Sent Monday, July 02, 2007 7:57 PM)

It was a GREAT move by President Bush. In your face politics. I love it

Rosario Orlando Florida (Sent Monday, July 02, 2007 7:58 PM)

<< Previous

Next >>

SEND A COMMENT

PLEASE READ: All comments must be approved before appearing in the thread; time and space constraints prevent all comments from appearing. We will only approve comments that are directly related to the blog, use appropriate language and are not attacking the comments of others.

Message (please, no HTML tags. Web addresses will be hyperlinked):

Your name, city and state (John Doe, Seattle, Wash.):

Your e-mail address (jdoe@msnbc.com):

Your website (it's okay if you don't have one):

Remember me? (We'll keep it private) Remember me?

TRACKBACKS

Trackbacks are links to weblogs that reference this post. Like comments, trackbacks do not appear until approved by us. The trackback URL for this post is: http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/trackback.aspx?PostID=253699