Legal Commentary

Dick Cheney Angry Over Bush's Refusal to Pardon Libby

By Jeralyn

The New York Daily News reports that aides to Dick Cheney are saying he's really angry that Bush wouldn't give Scooter Libby a full pardon and kept the pressure on Bush until the last minute.

After repeatedly telling Cheney his mind was made up, Bush became so exasperated with Cheney's persistence he told aides he didn't want to discuss the matter any further. The unsuccessful full-court press left Cheney bitter. "He's furious with Bush," a Cheney source told The News. "He's really angry about it and decided he's going to say what he believes."

[More...]

Cheney's view:

"He was the victim of a serious miscarriage of justice, and I strongly believe that he deserved a presidential pardon," Cheney said. "Obviously, I disagree with President Bush's decision."

Apparently, Bush stopped relying on Cheney towards the end of his term.

[A]n official who has worked closely with both men mused that the relationship "isn't what it was" when Bush tapped Cheney as his running mate in 2000.

"It's been a long, long time since I've heard the President say, 'Run that by the vice president's office.' You used to hear that all the time."

Bush should have stopped asking for Cheney's advice in 2001. We're all safer with Dick Cheney out of the White House. As for Libby, he should be thanking his lucky stars he isn't in the midst of a stay at a federal prison.

Full post as published by TalkLeft on February 17, 2009 (boomark / email).