US News is reporting today on Fred Thompson's public advocacy for Scooter Libby:
In a move that suggests he's not worried that backing convicted perjurer Lewis "Scooter" Libby will hurt his presidential chances, former Sen. Fred Thompson is planning to host several fundraisers to help the former Cheney aide pay his legal fees.That's one way to put it. You might also say that Fred Thompson isn't actually running for president although he is the focus of an intense draft movement. One might also note that many many Republicans are in favor of a pardon and that this position actually helps Thompson's chances if he were running.
But it's also clear that Fred Thompson is closely connected to Libby and considers the whole thing a travesty from top to bottom. and has gone on record for a pardon of Libby. So whether or not he runs for president is clearly incidental. The previous AP report makes it clear that no decision will come sooner than this summer in any case.
What I wonder is that if Fred Thompson, with his newfound popularity and threat to enter the race, can move the other GOP candidates toward his position on a pardon for Libby. Giuliani is reportedly cool to the idea of a pardon and McCain has stayed mum.
Reader Comments ( Page 2 of 6)
16. RUDY AND FRED THOMPSON SOUNDS LIKE A WINNING TICKET
TO ME. A COUPLE OF NO NONSENSE GUYS THAT CALL A
SPADE A SPADE. THEY WALK THE WALK. OORAH!!!
chesty puller at 5:19PM on Mar 14th 2007
17. YEAH GUS, YOU ONE OF THEM COMMIE GIRLIE MEN. GET
YOUR FACTS STRAIGHT. FRED IS GONNA BE RUDY'S VP.
SO WRAP YOUR PEA BRAIN AROUND THAT.
chesty puller at 5:26PM on Mar 14th 2007
18. come on Fred, back away from libbey or you'll lose your audiance on tv as well as your political backers.
do you just play a tough guy or are you an honest up right human being? make a choice, stick with bush and be a kiss ass or do the right thing. libby's guilty as sin.
Bafile1 at 8:00PM on Mar 14th 2007
19. If Martha the domistic queen was sent to prison for lying to the government, it seems only right that "Scooter" Libby should get a comparitive sentence for the same offence.
What is good for the Goose is also good for the Gander.
Let justice and equality prevail. Lying is lying in any shape and form to whoever it is.
If he does not get a comparitive sentence and serve equal time, something is more than a little lopsided in our justice system. Hopefully The Dep. Of Justice will keep the scales level
Erlendsson at 5:29PM on Mar 14th 2007
20. If Martha the domistic queen was sent to prison for lying to the government, it seems only right that "Scooter" Libby should get a comparitive sentence for the same offence.
What is good for the Goose is also good for the Gander.
Let justice and equality prevail. Lying is lying in any shape and form to whoever it is.
If he does not get a comparitive sentence and serve equal time, something is more than a little lopsided in our justice system. Hopefully The Dep. Of Justice will keep the scales level
Erlendsson at 5:50PM on Mar 14th 2007
21. Why nobody so far sued the Wilsons for scamming to (ab)use her federal job (CIA) for his/their political (Democratic) agenda? It is clear even to dumbell this was the case here. Scooter lied about what he remembered, they would not be able even to lie. Everybody knows what she did in order to make it possible for him to do what he did...
Valery at 5:47PM on Mar 14th 2007
22. I sure hope Mr. Thompson runs.I see him as the only Republican with balls right now. I don't envision him regretting or apologizing to anyone.Thats the pluses.Now for the minuses,He ain't black,he ain't female, he ain't gay,My god,can he be elected?If he starts regretting and apologizing,my opinion,of course,will change.Incidentally,I suspect a member of the opposite party may have balls too,if so,thats a freak of nature,and not any MANS fault.
bob at 5:42PM on Mar 14th 2007
23. LIBBY IS NOTHING BUT A SCAPEGOAT. SOMEONE HAD TO CRUCIFIED TO SAVE BUSH/CHENEY..HE WAS THE SCRAFICIAL LAMB. SO SORRY ABOUT IT, BUT THE ENTIRE BUSH ADMINISTRATION IS AN EMBARASSMENT TO THIS COUNTRY..P.S I AM A STRONG REPUBLICAN. NEVER VOTED DEMOCRATIC IN MY LIFE. IF THOMPSON RUNS, GREAT. I ADMIRE HIM! IF HE DOESN'T RUN, MAYBE INDEPENDENT. SURE AS HECK WON'T VOTE FOR HILLARY/BILLARY!!
GENE at 5:40PM on Mar 14th 2007
24. If they let Bill Clinton stay out of jail for not telling the truth; then why on earth should they put this man in jail?? If they decide put Libby in jail then they should put President Clinton in the cell right next to him!!!
prepress1pg at 6:14PM on Mar 14th 2007
25. I, personally, think that Bush, Cheney and Rove should be the ones who were prosecuted for this crime. Because they were the ones who started the whole mess. Libby is just the fall guy. I agree that Libby should not have lied to the prosecution, but if you've got the Presidnet and Vice-Presidnet, plus one of their assistants telling you what to do, how could he have gotten out of it, short of resigning? But, I also think that the real reason why Libby most likely hasn't told even half of the truth, is because he was promised a Pardon by Bush, if he become the fall guy. That way, Bush, Cheney and Rove save face, and the mess goes away, and nobody ends up in jail.
Trudy Crandell at 7:11PM on Mar 14th 2007
26. If Fred Thompson is raising money for Libby, then I'm very disappointed in Thompson.
I would rather see Thompson raise money for the families of the 3000+ soldiers killed in Iraq. They are the real heroes. Scooter Libby never did anything for America and in fact, he was part of the regime the soldiers died for.
Nick at 5:53PM on Mar 14th 2007
27. Are we talking about justice here or just political BS?
If "Scooter" does not serve time for his lies and deceptions after Martha paid her dues to society something is mightily wrong.
Martha got cought in lies, so did "Scooter"
Are we all equal in front of the law or are we not??
If there are instigators, political financial or otherwise those should be pursued with equal vigor.
What happened to" America the Beoutiful" not only in sigt but in moral values??
Maybe you should ask Gen. Pace
Erlendsson at 5:48PM on Mar 14th 2007
28. If Libby goes to jail, Bill Clinton should be in the next cell.
John Vollrath at 5:59PM on Mar 14th 2007
29. Lets face it, Clinton did not jeopardize peoples lives when he lied. He used extremely bad judgment. And as for lying, I can honestly say that the Republicans get the LION SHARE. Proudly, they wave their banner! Due as I say not as I do.
zsuzsanna at 6:06PM on Mar 14th 2007
30. libby had not commited a crime until he lied to the court. The prosecution was in a bind. libby did not out the secretary who eveybody knew worked in the goverment. Libby was convicted for lying to the goverment. i thought lying in washington was the norm. democrates and republicans have made it a washington pass time. i say pardon libby.
jpatton346 at 6:08PM on Mar 14th 2007