Scooter Libby drops appeal in CIA leak case.
Scooter Libby drops appeal in CIA leak case.
Former Cheney chief of staff Scooter Libby, who was convicted earlier this year for obstruction of justice, “is dropping his appeal in the CIA leak case, his attorney said Monday.” Libby, whose sentence was commuted by President Bush in July, is said to be dropping the appeal because “the burden” is “too great to ask” his family to “bear”:
“We remain firmly convinced of Mr. Libby’s innocence,” attorney Theodore Wells said. “However, the realities were, that after five years of government service by Mr. Libby and several years of defending against this case, the burden on Mr. Libby and his young family of continuing to pursue his complete vindication are too great to ask them to bear.”
The AP notes that “Libby remains a convicted felon, but Bush could issue a full pardon as his administration winds down.”
UPDATE: Here’s the full statement by Libby’s lawyer on the decision to drop the appeal.
UPDATE II: TPM’s Paul Kiel notes that in July, then-White House Press Secretary Tony Snow said the Bush administration couldn’t discuss the leak case because “there is still an appeal” in process.
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You watch… one of the trolls will demand BruschCo exonerate him…
December 10th, 2007 at 10:52 amWhy would he appeal? Bushco will provide full pardon prior to Jan 09. Surely he can wait till then to revert back to non-felon status?
December 10th, 2007 at 10:52 amawe, poor traitor libby…. does everyone feel really sad of the burden he must endure because after all, he is godlike.
December 10th, 2007 at 10:54 amHe wanted to appeal because, like all Republiscum, he doesn’t think that he should be punished for his crimes, guilty or not. This is the very reason that the French aristocracy became a head shorter back in the day.
December 10th, 2007 at 10:55 amCan Brusch pardon himself?
December 10th, 2007 at 10:55 amHow about excuse himself?
December 10th, 2007 at 10:56 amwhy should he bother. libby’s traitorous conviction will be voided on the puppetmaster’s direction to lambchop.
December 10th, 2007 at 10:57 amBush “could” issue a full pardon? That’s like saying the sun “might” rise in the east tomorrow. It was all part of the deal.
December 10th, 2007 at 10:57 amThe AP notes that “Libby remains a convicted felon, but Bush could issue a full pardon as his administration winds down.â€
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Yes, but he’ll always be a traitor sack of shit.
December 10th, 2007 at 10:59 amThe pardon deal must have been struck recently or Libby would have dropped his appeal a while ago. I wonder why it took so long for the deal to get locked in. Probably some pretty interesting quid pro quos.
December 10th, 2007 at 11:02 amThe flood of pardons issuing from the ShiteHouse next December will be 1) unprecedented, 2) unparalleled, and 3) and entirely anticipatable. Blanket pardons for EVERYONE associated with the Regime: Fredo and all his feculent drones in Justice, Cheney, Addington, Libby, all the vice-president’ men. Bush will not–only eecause he cannot–pardon himself. But no incoming President will DARE to pursue ‘justice’ against him. We’ll hear a LOT about “moving foreward,’ and shit like that. Bush will escape completely any retribution for his crimes.
December 10th, 2007 at 11:03 amI wonder why it took so long for the deal to get locked in. Probably some pretty interesting quid pro quos.
He was raising money for his ‘defense’ fund. Without a place at the fascist fux pig-sty, he’s kinda strapped. Got those private school tuitions to pay for.
December 10th, 2007 at 11:05 amFollowing the Bush track record of awarding and rewarding all the incompetent crooks in the White House, I am 100% sure Libby will be pardoned if he promises not to write a tell all book on the Bush Crime family.
December 10th, 2007 at 11:06 amWhile a fall guy for the Bush-Cheney criminal outting of a covert CIA agent, he committed felonious acts to conceal a criminal conspiracy and should not be pardoned. Even if pardoned, all should treat him accordingly for what he did.
December 10th, 2007 at 11:09 amFull pardon forthcoming, as well as a cushy job for life for “taking one for the team”.
Laws are for poor people.
December 10th, 2007 at 11:10 amHas anyone checked if Libby is still a registered voter in McLean, VA.
Convicted felons are not allowed to vote.
December 10th, 2007 at 11:11 amIsnt there anybody in the CIA who could sort this thing out? The right way? If you know what I mean? A freelancer? Anybody?
Just asking.
December 10th, 2007 at 11:13 amOT - apologize
TP Admin - could we possibly get a thread on this story:
http://www.armytimes.com/news/2007/12/bloodbrothers3/
Thank you
December 10th, 2007 at 11:14 amI am 100% sure Libby will be pardoned if he promises not to write a tell all book on the Bush Crime family.
Comment by tiffany — December 10, 2007 @ 11:06 am
And a medal… don’t forget the medal, and a raise!
December 10th, 2007 at 11:16 am-Putin wants Medvedev.Medvedev is a lame asslicker. Who cares, Bush is anyway over-
December 10th, 2007 at 11:16 amOh yeah. He Cut a deal with GW…
December 10th, 2007 at 11:17 amWas Scooter involved in the destroying of the CIA torture tapes?
Quite surprising that a guy who had his sentence commuted, is likely to be pardoned, and is guaranteed wingnut welfare for the rest of his life, even contemplated an appeal.
But he’s suddenly decided now to drop the appeal… inquiring minds etc etc
December 10th, 2007 at 11:19 amBush & Libby lied.
Iraqis & Americans died.
Cheney & Rice lied.
Iraqis & Americans died.
Rove & Hadley lied.
Iraqis & Americans died.
The CIA tapes died.
Today the World cried.
December 10th, 2007 at 11:23 am14: “While a fall guy for the Bush-Cheney criminal outting of a covert CIA agent, he committed felonious acts to conceal a criminal conspiracy and should not be pardoned. Even if pardoned, all should treat him accordingly for what he did.”
&
22: “Was Scooter involved in the destroying of the CIA torture tapes?”
18 U.S.C. Section 4: “Whoever, having knowledge of the actual commission of a felony cognizable by a court of the United States, conceals and does not as soon as possible make known the same to some judge or other person in civil or military authority under the United States, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than three years, or both.”
How many in the executive branch and its agencies does this apply to?
I still don’t understand why Congress has yet to investigate the Whitehouse on this. Pardons don’t impact the impeachment process.
December 10th, 2007 at 11:27 amThe flood of pardons issuing from the ShiteHouse next December will be 1) unprecedented, 2) unparalleled, and 3) and entirely anticipatable.
Comment by tokin librul — December 10, 2007 @ 11:03 am
On the morning of Clinton’s last day in office, he pardoned a number of people — as presidents before him had done. With a few exceptions (Marc Rich comes to mind), most were people who had nothing to do with Clinton or his administration. Still, Clinton’s pardons were carefully examined by Congress to ensure they were not given for illegal reasons (quid pro quo, for example) — a process that took months.
The fact that Clinton issued pardons on his last day has been a favorite wingnut talking point ever since.
On January 20, 2009, Dubya will no doubt issue a flurry of last-minute pardons, too. His list will look a bit different. It will be longer than Clinton’s, and it will contain mostly people who have had something to do with him or his administration. Whether or not his pardons make it through Congressional investigation will depend upon who we send to Congress in 2008.
December 10th, 2007 at 11:31 amProbably some pretty interesting quid pro quos.
Comment by boreas — December 10, 2007 @ 11:02 am
Yeah, maybe a couple of nights in the Oval taking Jeff Guckert/Gannon’s place.
That whinyass little traitor ought to be shot.
December 10th, 2007 at 11:37 amI still don’t understand why Congress has yet to investigate the Whitehouse on this. Pardons don’t impact the impeachment process.
Comment by RS Olive — December 10, 2007 @ 11:27 am
The new revelations that Pelosi herself gave a nod to waterboarding and the fact Pelosi is keeping Impeachment “Off the Table” should give a few clues.
December 10th, 2007 at 11:44 amSlightly off topic- but not so much… Virtually no news coverage of this very significant event Sunday…
BRITISH PRIME MINISTER, GORDON BROWN, DECLARES IRAQ WAR OVER!
That’s right! He said the words ‘…war is over!’
Briish troops are to completely hand over Basra to Iraqi troops in two weeks, transition entirely from an offensive role to a training mission, draw down forces to HALF, and have all forces out by March!
Gordon Brown is only the Prime Minister Great Britain; the only other occupying nation with any significant presence in Iraq and Americas number one ally. He says ‘war is over’ and there’s a virtual blackout of his words. There are only a few random reports that he was even in Iraq yesterday.
Is it just me or is something amiss?
December 10th, 2007 at 11:55 amBush the lead Mafia Don will just pardon him, all the criminals in this Fascist Organized Crime Gang watch out for each other.
Fascist Party over country and duty every time.
Bush/Cheney/Libby
Hague Trials ‘09
Buck Fush
December 10th, 2007 at 12:06 pm28, questionauthority ,
America’s MSM is just the opposite of what Righties say they are. How much coverage of the Iraq invasion have you seen lately? You’d think that with the current ’surge is working’ rally cry, Iraq would be all over the news.
Remember when Brown went to Basra the first time? The WH made sure they ‘one-upped’ him with their own news as Bush was flying over Basra. Our media will not expose the Brusch Crime Family yet… they would lose a ton of corporate ads, plus lose ‘retroactive immunity’ from the Bushlickers.
‘Coalition of the Billing’, Blackwater, Halliburton, et al, would also put them on their ‘list’…
December 10th, 2007 at 12:11 pmpfft
December 10th, 2007 at 12:29 pmThe name “Scooter Libby” will be remembered alongside other such American greats Benedict Arnold, Oliver North, and Richard Nixon. But, I suppose his fame may be muted by competition from Cookie, Dusty, and Buzzy.
December 10th, 2007 at 12:49 pmIs Libby guilty of treason because Armatage leaked Val’s name?
Comment by jdc — December 10, 2007 @ 12:10 pm
Nope. Guilty of PERJURY and OBSTRUCTION.
He DID leak Plame’s identity, along with Armitage and 7 other senior Bush admin officials.
That is what was revealed in his trial.
So, no, Libby is a TRAITOR for LIEING and OBSTRUCTING the investigation that would show Bush and Cheney guilty as well.
Sincerely,
NRA Gun Nutes
December 10th, 2007 at 12:51 pmWhere is the uproar for Fitzgerald to prosectute Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage for leaking her name? He has already admitted to leaking it and Fitzgerald says the case is closed. I thought she was covert lol.. Apparently not or Armitage would be in jail right now. Our justice system is a joke and the American people have been fooled again for what? Politics is the answer. Stupid is as stupid does..
December 10th, 2007 at 12:51 pmScott McClellan says Bush and Cheney knew. Makes THEM guilty of TREASON as well.
But we already KNEW that, along with ILLEGAL WARS, politicizing the DOJ, and Bush issuing executive orders to bypass the Constitution.
Sincerely,
NRA Gun Nutes
December 10th, 2007 at 12:56 pmSCOOTER LIBBY IS A TRAITOR WHO OBSTRUCT JUSTICE. THE OTHER THREE TRAITORS WHO OUSTED VALERIE PLAME ARE: THE WAR CRIMINAL DICK CHENNEY; THE WAR CRIMINAL GEORGE WC. BUSH; AND THE FAT UGLY ANIMAL KARL ROVE. THESE ARE DANGEROUS CRIMINALS AND THEY SHOULD BE BEHIND BARRS WAITING FOR EXECUTUION FOR CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY; WAR CRIMES AND TREASON.
December 10th, 2007 at 1:13 pmThe damage done by Scooter (what kind of name is this for an adult btw?) and his fellow law-breakers to this country is incalculable.
Valerie Plame was working on Iran’s weapons program and it would have been better for this country if her cover, and the front they had set up for her and her fellow agents, had not been blown by this convicted felon.
“The unmasking of covert CIA officer Valerie Plame Wilson by White House officials in 2003 caused significant damage to U.S. national security and its ability to counter nuclear proliferation abroad”
http://rawstory.com/ news/ 2005/ Outed_CIA_officer_was_working_on_0213.html
December 10th, 2007 at 1:15 pmComment by Arn Gunnutes — December 10, 2007 @ 12:56 pm
Liar.
Comment by Mayja Jenera — December 10, 2007 @ 1:06 pm
Sorry, you PSYOPS azshole-lickers of MURDERER Bush the COXUCKER punk TRAITOR to the USA have to do better than THAT.
What the hell are they PAYING you for?
WHAT did I say that was a LIE?
I know the LIES that MURDERER Bush the COXUCKER punk TRAITOR to the USA has told, though…
Sincerely,
NRA Gun Nutes
December 10th, 2007 at 1:23 pmFull Pardon 4 who?
December 10th, 2007 at 1:32 pmBURN IN HELL for ETERNITY, TRAITORS Bush and Libby!!
BURN IN HELL for ETERNITY, TRAITORS Bush and Libby!!
BURN IN HELL for ETERNITY, TRAITORS Bush and Libby!!
BURN IN HELL for ETERNITY, TRAITORS Bush and Libby!!
BURN IN HELL for ETERNITY, TRAITORS Bush and Libby!!
BURN IN HELL for ETERNITY, TRAITORS Bush and Libby!!
BURN IN HELL for ETERNITY, TRAITORS Bush and Libby!!
BURN IN HELL for ETERNITY, TRAITORS Bush and Libby!!
BURN IN HELL for ETERNITY, TRAITORS Bush and Libby!!
BURN IN HELL for ETERNITY, TRAITORS Bush and Libby!!
BURN IN HELL for ETERNITY, TRAITORS Bush and Libby!!
BURN IN HELL for ETERNITY, TRAITORS Bush and Libby!!
BURN IN HELL for ETERNITY, TRAITORS Bush and Libby!!
BURN IN HELL for ETERNITY, TRAITORS Bush and Libby!!
BURN IN HELL for ETERNITY, TRAITORS Bush and Libby!!
BURN IN HELL for ETERNITY, TRAITORS Bush and Libby!!
BURN IN HELL for ETERNITY, TRAITORS Bush and Libby!!
BURN IN HELL for ETERNITY, TRAITORS Bush and Libby!!
Sincerely,
NRA Gun Nutes
December 10th, 2007 at 1:32 pmBURN IN HELL for ETERNITY, TRAITORS Bush and Libby!!
bush yes… but the libster too?
December 10th, 2007 at 1:35 pmOh lord.
Dear Santa,
Please send us some smarter trolls for Christmas. These dumb ones are really, really boring.
Thank you in advance.
Your friend,
Annie
December 10th, 2007 at 1:36 pmComment by Leftside Annie — December 10, 2007 @ 1:36 pm
Dear Santa,
Please bring ‘Leftside Annie’ her desperately-needed electroshock therapy.
Much thanks.
Comment by Mayja Jenera — December 10, 2007 @ 1:40 pm
Dear God and Jesus,
Please remember to send MURDERER Bush the COXUCKER punk TRAITOR to be with his MASTER Satan after he DROPS DEAD.
As well as TRAITORS like Cheney and Libby.
Please remember all of your children that these MURDERERS have killed with their LIES, both Iraqi civilians and US soldiers.
You SEE the EVIL they have done. Please judge them accordingly.
Thank you Lord,
NRA Gun Nutes
December 10th, 2007 at 1:49 pmMayja Jenera is even dumber than Frank M and bigfoot. And that’s saying something.
December 10th, 2007 at 2:57 pmEven Bush haters have to admit he is playing this one beautifully.
Bush will pardon Libby after the 2008 election and before his terms ends as surely as night follows day. What’s been clever is how he let things play out:
1. By commuting Libby’s sentence, Bush ensured Libby won’t spend a day in jail.
2. By not pardoning him yet, Bush made sure Libby cannot be compelled to testify in another investigation (say, of Cheney). Once he’s pardoned, Libby cannot invoke the 5th because he has no risk of self-incrimination and could be forced to testify. This way, he can still take the 5th and protect others in the administrations.
3. Once Bush’s term is over, it’s more unlikely any major investigations of the previous administration will gather much steam. So, pardoning Libby shortly before the clock runs out runs little risk.
Bush played this one like a chess grandmaster - he knows exactly what he’s doing here.
December 10th, 2007 at 4:52 pmI don’t hate Bush (or anyone), but he certainly is a COXUCKER punk TRAITOR to the USA, just like Libby.
They both deserve to be TORTURED in Gitmo until they DROP DEAD.\
God SEES the EVIL that these “men” and will judge them at the end.
As far as a “chess grandmaster” goes, Bush is a MORON.
Who has other evil people help him disregard the LAW.
Not a grandmaster at all.
Just a silver-spoon MORON and a MURDEROUS little COXUCKER punk TRAITOR to the USA.
Sincerely,
NRA Gun Nutes
December 10th, 2007 at 8:45 pm“Bush could issue a full pardon as his administration winds down.”
Remember the outrage over Clinton’s on-the-way-out pardons?
Me, too.
Remember any of the guys he pardoned?
Me, neither.
But everyone will remember the pardon of Scooter Libby. Go for it, GOP. Best wishes. Hope that works out for you.
December 10th, 2007 at 11:06 pm