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McClellan Criticizes Scooter Libby Commutation

Via Christopher Bateman at Vanity Fair: In his tell-all book about the Bush Administration, former Press Secretary Scott McClellan has harsh words for President Bush's commutation of Scooter Libby's prison sentence in the Valerie Plame leaks case:

It’s … clear to me that Scooter Libby was guilty of the perjury and obstruction crimes for which he was convicted. When the president commuted Libby’s prison sentence and thereby protected him from serving even one day behind bars, I was disappointed. This kind of special treatment undermines our system of justice…. President Bush certainly has the right and the power to commute Libby’s sentence. But in choosing to do so, he sent an unfortunate message to America and the world—that in the United States criminal behavior on behalf of a political cause may go unpunished if those who support that cause have the power to make it happen.

At the time, John McCain agreed with Bush: [More...]

“I think that you can make a case that he was singled out unfairly. I think that the appeals process goes forward. I happen to be one who admires Scooter Libby. I think he was a dedicated servant.”

VF has not been able to get a reaction from McCain or his campaign.

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  • Display: Sort:
    McClellan doesn't like Bush much (5.00 / 1) (#1)
    by MarkL on Thu May 29, 2008 at 01:05:30 PM EST
    does he?


    Actually it seems (5.00 / 1) (#31)
    by cannondaddy on Thu May 29, 2008 at 02:21:00 PM EST
    it's not a total bashfest.  I believe his description of Bush is someone who is sincere in trying do what's best for the country, but is too caught up in the politics of it all to realize how misguided he has become.

    Parent
    Passionate but clueless. (none / 0) (#37)
    by Fabian on Thu May 29, 2008 at 02:58:00 PM EST
    Is that what we really want in a leader?

    Parent
    Jeez Louise. (none / 0) (#3)
    by LarryInNYC on Thu May 29, 2008 at 01:06:42 PM EST
    That's putting it mildly.  Talk about disgruntled.

    Parent
    Would YOU (5.00 / 2) (#4)
    by madamab on Thu May 29, 2008 at 01:07:35 PM EST
    want George W. Bush as a boss?

    Parent
    on the Today show he said he liked (none / 0) (#25)
    by thereyougo on Thu May 29, 2008 at 01:48:05 PM EST
    the president.

    I always remember that Scotty always looked constipated at the pressers. He's much more relaxed in his interviews hawking the book.

    Parent