Comments on: Bob Bauer and Scooter Libby Justice

By: Leen

Leen — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 13:29:41 +0000

Is Baer the only lawyer in D.C. with the qualifications to fill this post? Christ All Mighty from the outside looking in one would think there are only about 30 attorneys in D.C. The way this revolving door works many of the same folks keep going round and round to fill these critical positions.

“Change”

By: Cynthia Kouril

Cynthia Kouril — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 17:00:25 +0000

Bmaz, I think there is confusion about the requirements of the pardon application process vs. the constitutional pardon power

By: Cynthia Kouril

Cynthia Kouril — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 16:58:41 +0000

yep

By: Teddy Partridge

Teddy Partridge — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 03:13:28 +0000

Much of this myth was born during the secretive negotiations between the Ford White House and Nixon over RMN’s pardon. For a long while, WH counsel’s office insisted Nixon had to “accept” the pardon, while Nixon (who knew better) replied “Nope.” Finally, wiser heads prevailed on Jerry Ford, and he simply granted the full and complete pardon.

But the waiting might have killed his presidency. If he’d done it fast, while he was still at the very height of his goodwill and before he started actually stumbling, it might have worked. As it was, people were trying very hard to forget about Nixon when Ford reminded them by pardoning him.

But there was no acceptane required or obtained.

By: PJEvans

PJEvans — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 01:54:29 +0000

watching college football vicariously, I take it. (Never went to a school that had a good team, so I’m not that into it. Except maybe to appreciate the work put into the halftime shows ….)

By: flounder

flounder — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 01:51:34 +0000

By: bobschacht

bobschacht — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 01:40:41 +0000

They’re all over on the trash talk thread.

Bob in AZ

By: bmaz

bmaz — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 01:37:01 +0000

“Accepting a pardon” does NOT require “accepting guilt”. There is no requirement that a person ask for a pardon, or even want a pardon; the pardon power is the sole and plenary power of the President. The President is free to pardon a person that affirmatively does not want one; once the pardon warrant has been issued and signed by the President and entered of record, it is done; there is no requisite action of “acceptance” by the subject of either the pardon or guilt of the underlying offense(s).

This is simply an urban myth that is false and needs to die.

By: flounder

flounder — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 01:30:47 +0000

I just don’t like how the commutation let Libby keep his mouth shut and kept him out of the clink.
I can see making the case for a pardon so he can’t hide behind the 5th Amendment anymore, and since accepting a pardon means accepting guilt, I’m sure someone like Whitehouse could ask him some really interesting questions and if he tried to not answer that would be breaking the law again.

By: TalkingStick

TalkingStick — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 01:29:51 +0000

When I stop to think about these things it makes me wonder why I invest any resources in politics. They are all a bunch of narcissists who believe they are entitled to live in rare atmosphere above the law. The highest priority is to take care of each other first.

I fear Obama is a consummate elite and the simple folk be damned.