Not a pardon, but rather he commuted the sentence. That means no jail for Scooter. Bush says he felt the punishment was too harsh. So is that saying that lying about a blow job is a worse crime than lying under oath regarding the outing of a CIA agent? It appears so.
Bush just handed the Democrats a great campaign talking point. Only 19% of the people polled believe Libby should have been pardoned (and this is essentially the same). Let’s see how Congress reacts to this now.
UPDATE #1
The Muckraker has Bush’s statement up. I wonder why he just released a statement and chose not to address the nation? Sounds like the White House knew this would cause a shit storm.
Oh – and if you are ever called before the court, or involved in a legal investigation, go ahead and lie. George Bush sez it’s ok. (end sarcasm).
UPDATE #2
Apparently the White House has turned off their phone lines. Sounds like they don’t want to listen to the people they work for.
UPDATE #3:
Daily Kos has the reactions up of Democrats here and here. Sounds like it is time for Congress to open a full investigation into the leak and pull Cheney and Bush in to testify. Or is a blow job still more serious?