By Peter Baker, The Washington Post
The 2-1/2 year sentence imposed on former White House aide I. Lewis “Scooter” Libby today puts new pressure on President Bush, who may soon confront the choice of triggering a fresh political storm by pardoning a convicted perjurer or letting one of the early architects of his administration head off to prison.
Libby, who served as assistant to the president and chief of staff to Vice President Cheney until his indictment in late 2005, was ordered to serve 30 months behind bars and pay a $250,000 fine for committing perjury and obstruction of justice in the CIA leak case. But most disturbing to the White House may be comments by the judge indicating that he is inclined to order Libby to begin serving the sentence right away.
If Libby were allowed to remain free pending appeals, as occurs in many white-collar criminal cases, the White House might be able to defer the question of a pardon until after the November 2008 elections, when it would be less politically risky.
Bush has to pardon “scooter” doesn’t he? After all they are partners in crime !!!