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 4 of 6)
46.
Those who can't read through all this crap should
go back to school. Scooter is the fall guy here
to cover up far Rove. Rove is where most all the trouble comes from. But,without Rove, Bush can't count, add, think or complete a sentence.
Bob Gifford at 7:14PM on Mar 14th 2007
47. The left hates the right and the right hates the left-end of story.
Gary at 8:01PM on Mar 14th 2007
48. commit murder ...lie and say you didn't ...get acquitted...then get tried for not confessing and lying to the investigators......i will never understand the legal fictions that got martha and libby
robrt lipton at 7:39PM on Mar 14th 2007
49. fred does not want to be president much do he
jim williams at 7:47PM on Mar 14th 2007
50. Let's not forget some other facts. Joe Wilson, lied, not only once but several times. Wilson, is the one who jeopardised his wife's cover, did Libby expose her. The facts say NO. Was Libby charged with exposing an CIA agent, No. Was Wilson's wife even undercover, I don't think so. So when you ask for Libby's head, look at the fact. He was not convicted of exposing an agent, yet people don't want to speak the truth. Remember Bill Clinton didn't he lie ? And what about Sandy Burger, who stuffed his pants with documents, if you want to talk about a cover up why not look at him. What did he steal. Is Burger going to jail. So Libby lied, about nothing, for the information concerning Plain was know by the prosecuter long before libby said a word. Justice, well justice will be served against Libby, and what about Clinton, or Burger, are they held accountable for their actions.
vpollace at 8:25PM on Mar 14th 2007
51. That means Thompson is no better than the rest of the crooked bunch...didn't fall or doesn't lay down or bend over, to far from the tree! HE SUX
Bug at 7:56PM on Mar 14th 2007
52. Good move by Fred Thompson on his way to garnering support. Now all he has to do is make a speech before the AIPAC convention and he's sure to get approved to make a run at the presidency.
jose jimenez at 4:43PM on Mar 17th 2007
53. As Vice President Cheney's Chief of Staff, "Scooter" Libby was the Neocon kingpin who managed the infiltration of the Pentagon with Neocon ideologues. Remember them? They financed fraudulent intelligence with out tax dollars and piped it directly in our White House, circumventing and subverting our Constitutionally established agencies of government to start a war against a nation which posed no threat to us. In case you don't know, those are federal felonies of the serious variety, as well as violations of the Nuremburg Protocols. People hanged for perpetrating exactly those types of crimes. The only people who are paying for Libby's crimes are Americans not like him. So, if the former Senator from my home State of Tennessee counts Libby as a friend...and is raising money for his defense, then you can bet that the Neocons are looking for another bought and paid for stooge with down home appeal. I am very disappointed to know that Fred Thompsom is that kind of Neocon man. uno
john smith at 8:03PM on Mar 14th 2007
54. Pardon the border Guards....not Libby.
margaret at 8:32PM on Mar 14th 2007
55. Just another right wing nutjob running for office.
john at 8:08PM on Mar 14th 2007
56. C'mon now folks. Do you really think that Libby woke up one morning and said, "HEY, I GOT A GOOD IDEA!" No way. Anything and everything that he said and did was on behalf of a lousy and poor hunter, that is quick to extracate himself from any heat! Make no mistake. Libby will BE PARDONED by Bush, either now or later. But he WILL be pardoned. Bush is nearing the twighlight of his administration so why wouldn't he? In Bush, we have a live cannon, who can and will, do as he pleases. I would do the same thing and so would all of you! And from a standpoint of honor, Libby deserves a pardon for putting himself out there all alone! PARDON HIM NOW MR. PRESIDENT!!
Dr. James Taylor PhD at 8:08PM on Mar 14th 2007
57. Remember Steven Seagal's movie "Above The Law". The Bush administration is so entwined with the movies story line it's alarming.
Libby's a fall guy. Our law makers think themselves ABOVE THE LAW. Yes Martha Steward gave herself that Untouchable status but she wasn't in the loop. Cheney and Bush are and it's, excuse my superlatives, a DAMB SHAME.
Scooter will be pardoned. I believe it will be the last executive order given by the worst president this county has seen since Harrison, I chose him because he only served 32 days, I think.
Today he showed his disdain for law by standing by his attorney general Gonzales in face of all evidence contrary to his position.
I listen to his dissertations and come close to nauseousness thinking he truly believes the American public to be in a state of idiocy.
Unless Gore throws his hat into the ring I think our next president will be a republican because the country has not grown enough to accept a women or a African American.
I believe Al would win because we've had the republicans up the ge ge.
Joseph at 8:40PM on Mar 14th 2007
58. It definitely seems to me that Fred Thompson has the "moral" duty of rewriting the Constitution and the Bible at the same time. It amazes me that a man can have that kind of power!
Rod at 10:43PM on Mar 14th 2007
59. Is Fred Thompson driving the decoy car for Bush south of the border?
berthavenus at 1:49AM on Mar 15th 2007
60. i'm not sure but wasn't this the same "crime" that martha stewart went to prison for??? if she coud do her "time" - and before her appeal was heard i mignt add - then why can't mr libby????
anonymous player at 7:40AM on Mar 15th 2007