Fitz squeezes Libby to get Cheney...

Bush refuses to rule out a pardon. Libby knows he'll get a pass.
Fitz has no leverage.

Is this Obstruction Of Justice by Bush?

Of course he'll use whatever he has to get his thugs out of trouble. His old man did it in 1992 with the Iran-Contra bunch who would have implicated him big-time in that sordid scandal.

The President's power to pardon is absolute. Except in matters of impeachment, it is unassailable and final. Article 2, Section 2 of the Constitution (as I recall).

He'll pardon Libby. I've been saying that since the indictments were handed down. That, yes, would effectively bring an end to Fitzgerald's investigation.

I honestly think that's what will happen, but, god, I hope I'm wrong.

these people won't do to hold on to power.

wouldn't that occur after a conviction?

Wouldn't the millions of dollars Libby will have to spend to defend himself incentive enough? I don't think his 'defense fund' will raise the kind of cash he'll need.

The answer is "anytime he damn well feels like it".

Fuckface could pardon Libby right now. He could pardon everyone in his White House, if he felt like it.

In fact, a person need not even be indicted to be the valid recipient of a Presidential pardon. Remember when Gerald Ford pardoned Richard M. Nixon, the infamous "unindicted co-conspirator"?

Go read about Watergate. It's a great lesson in American history, good journalism, brave people willing to stand up to a corrupt and craven administration, and the power of the Constitution.

I doubt FuckFace would issue a pardon prior to 2006 elections... but I suppose it is inevitable Libby will get one.

Don't forget Ford pardoned Nixon before he was even indicted.

As a practical matter, a pardon before November 2008 will be the political equivalent of plutonium kool-aid. Who knows how many others will be in Fitz's net by then? And even if there is a pardon, Libby will be a political leper for years afterward.

I mean, given the publicity his fiction has gotten, all that bestiality - really, so much more than is normal - that he's effectively a non-person, regardless of what happens next?

I think this White House - Fuckface and Dickless - are so consumed with their own self-importance and so disdainful of anyone else (read "the American people") that blanket pardons, at any time, wouldn't surprise me.

Libby's going to be a resume stain for at least a decade. My main point was that a pardon would not put a shine on that turd. It's not like everyone would say, oh, he was pardoned, so he must be okay now.

Here's a guy who lied under oath to Congress about stealing U.S. property (munitions and such) to sell them to a hostile power, then funneled the money and more stolen death devices to a foreign political entity with whom all dealings were a crime by act of Congress. He pleaded guilty to two counts and was sentenced.

Bush I pardoned him, and he's a major political player to this day.

Then there's Otto Reich.

Poindexter's a bit radioactive these days, but I doubt he's suffering.

Libby can be put on the shelf for awhile and then put back to work. Piece of cake.

interview someone on his show last week (sorry, can't remember who) who said that Libby is independently wealthy and that he can afford to litigate this case for as long as it takes, $$$$$ is not a factor. Surprise, surprise.

He's scrambling to get defense money, and a number of his friends are kicking in.

Defense on a matter like this is incredibly expensive.

is if he can be convinced that he will have to do some real time. With out that hanging over his head, Fitz might as well pack up his toys and go home.

The word is that, in the first discussion with Libby's lawyers, Fitzgerald made it clear that doing some time was a prerequisite, and, when he said that, the talks ended.

So, what does Libby already know that makes him so arrogant?

And why was he allowed to resign? He should have been fired. Even President Bartlett on "The West Wing" didn't let Toby resign, and all Toby was at that point was arrested.

TV is now doing reality better than reality.

"Article ll

Section 2. The President shall be commander in chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the militia of the several states, when called into the actual service of the United States; he may require the opinion, in writing, of the principal officer in each of the executive departments, upon any subject relating to the duties of their respective offices, and he shall have power to grant reprieves and pardons for offenses against the United States, except in cases of impeachment.

He shall have power, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, to make treaties, provided two thirds of the Senators present concur; and he shall nominate, and by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, shall appoint ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls, judges of the Supreme Court, and all other officers of the United States, whose appointments are not herein otherwise provided for, and which shall be established by law: but the Congress may by law vest the appointment of such inferior officers, as they think proper, in the President alone, in the courts of law, or in the heads of departments.

The President shall have power to fill up all vacancies that may happen during the recess of the Senate, by granting commissions which shall expire at the end of their next session. "

Legislative:
Article 1:

Section 8. The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts and excises, to pay the debts and provide for the common defense and general welfare of the United States; but all duties, imposts and excises shall be uniform throughout the United States;

To borrow money on the credit of the United States;

To regulate commerce with foreign nations, and among the several states, and with the Indian tribes;

To establish a uniform rule of naturalization, and uniform laws on the subject of bankruptcies throughout the United States;

To coin money, regulate the value thereof, and of foreign coin, and fix the standard of weights and measures;

To provide for the punishment of counterfeiting the securities and current coin of the United States;

To establish post offices and post roads;

To promote the progress of science and useful arts, by securing for limited times to authors and inventors the exclusive right to their respective writings and discoveries;

To constitute tribunals inferior to the Supreme Court;

To define and punish piracies and felonies committed on the high seas, and offenses against the law of nations;

To declare war, grant letters of marque and reprisal, and make rules concerning captures on land and water;

To raise and support armies, but no appropriation of money to that use shall be for a longer term than two years;

To provide and maintain a navy;

To make rules for the government and regulation of the land and naval forces;

To provide for calling forth the militia to execute the laws of the union, suppress insurrections and repel invasions;..."

But damn hard to prove unless a smoking tape recording is produced. It would be a good way for Georgie boy to get impeached if the Dems take over the House and Senate in 06.

Pres.

Maybe Liddy should be worrying whether he'll really get the pardon?

If he goes to trial and is convicted and sentenced to jail, maybe he will be left to stew in his own juices, blech.

I hope that someone is pointing this out to him. Don't you?