Duke Cunningham asks Bush for clemency.
Duke Cunningham asks Bush for clemency.
Last weekend, the New York Times reported that “[f]elons are asking President Bush for pardons and commutations at historic levels as he nears his final months in office, a time when many other presidents have granted a flurry of clemency requests.” The AP reports that former Rep. Randy “Duke” Cunningham (R-CA) is now among the applicants:
The San Diego Republican has submitted a petition to commute his sentence, Erik Ablin, a spokesman for the U.S. Department of Justice, said Monday. No details were provided.
Cunningham was sentenced to eight years and four months in prison after pleading guilty in November 2005 to taking $2.4 million in cash, trips, prostitute services and other gifts as bribes from defense contractors in exchange for government contracts.
Rep. Brian Bilbray (R-CA) who filled Cunningham’s seat, “opposes freeing his predecessor early.” “I don’t think I can overstate the damage that Mr. Cunningham did to the institution of government,” Bilbray said.
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Oh, yes, perfect timing. He doesn’t wants to be the last to ask it, just in case there are a limited number of royal pardons.
July 23rd, 2008 at 2:27 pmCunningham asks Bush for clemency
of course he does, get them while their hot. or…..get them while the getting is good, before 20 January 2009.
July 23rd, 2008 at 2:29 pmSure, why not, ever one else get’s to walk including bush/ cheney/ all this administration and many of the dem’s as well..Hell it’s not like he started a war or allowed all of us to be wire tapped…Blessings, we need them
July 23rd, 2008 at 2:29 pmHow about offering a bribe to Bush? Maybe a soak in your filthy river water hot tub on your boat?
July 23rd, 2008 at 2:30 pmHey, WitchyOne, did you hear that Amber’s going to have a little brother in January?
July 23rd, 2008 at 2:31 pmUnless Cunningham has something over Bush (or Cheney), I don’t look for Bush to grant him clemency or anything else. This case differs from the Scooter Libby case, where Libby undoubtedly was in a position to implicate people higher than he was in the crime he was convicted for.
July 23rd, 2008 at 2:31 pmOT – breaking:
Collision between tug, tanker closes Mississippi River at New Orleans
International Herald Tribune – 2 hours ago
AP NEW ORLEANS: The Coast Guard closed 29 miles (47 kilometers) of the Mississippi River at New Orleans after a 600-foot (183-meter) tanker and a barge loaded with fuel oil collided, breaking the barge in half.
…
July 23rd, 2008 at 2:32 pmWow RUCerious, great new’s, Blessings to you all…
July 23rd, 2008 at 2:33 pmmisshusseinmolly Says:
Unless Cunningham has something over Bush (or Cheney), I don’t look for Bush to grant him clemency or anything else. This case differs from the Scooter Libby case, where Libby undoubtedly was in a position to implicate people higher than he was in the crime he was convicted for.
He can’t protect Bush. He can’t do favors for Bush. He hasn’t sat in Bush’s lap.
I’d say the Dukester is screwed.
July 23rd, 2008 at 2:36 pmWell, after all he was only doing what republicans do, take $2.4 million in cash, trips, prostitute services and other gifts as bribes from defense contractors in exchange for government contracts, it’s a NeoCon thing.
He just thought seems how all his NeoCon buddies were doing it and not getting caught he could also, he just didn’t know that they needed someone to distract the media for a bit so they threw them a bone…Duke = bone.
July 23rd, 2008 at 2:36 pmI thought the right side was the law and order folks. Weren’t they the personal responsibility folks? Pull yourself up by your own bootstraps – stuff like that.
Seems even the big, tough ‘duke’ (another manly moniker) needs to be a WATB and ask Bush for assistance.
Oh, how the brave have fallen. Rot in hell, Cunningham!
July 23rd, 2008 at 2:37 pmMy understanding is that Cunningham is reportedly connected to Mitchell Wade who is connected to the Dark One himself (dick ch).
He’ll get his pardon.
July 23rd, 2008 at 2:39 pm*ring, ring*…Yeah, Mr. President? Hello! Yeah, Jack Abramoff here. Say, could I ask you a favor? What? You don’t remember me? Well, that’s disappointing. Don’t you remember me getting all your friends that money? Yes, that’s right. OK, I’ll call Mr. Cheney. Thank you. Thank you very much, Mr. President.
July 23rd, 2008 at 2:40 pmApparently Bush only has “zero tolerance” for poor people stealing.
July 23rd, 2008 at 2:41 pmDuke Cunningham was a United States Representative who took bribes. That is one of the biggest violations of the public trust that one can commit. He should just sit in prison and quietly serve out his generous prison sentence. For what he did, life in prison without possibility of parole would be more fitting.
And if he’s pardoned, what kind of message would this send to young people considering a life of public service? “Go ahead and rob and steal from the voters, the penalty won’t be that bad”?
July 23rd, 2008 at 2:45 pmI caan’t see him pardoning Cunningham but what about Abramoff? Isn’t he still providing info to the FBI or whatever agency it is these days?
July 23rd, 2008 at 2:46 pmMethinks ole “duke” better keep spreading them and allowing big bad bubba to use his butt as a playpen, since “duke” foolishly didn’t make a contribution to the dumbya lie-berry
July 23rd, 2008 at 2:47 pmDuke to Bushco:
“Let me out or I’ll tell the world what you were up to BEFORE 9/11″.
They’re probably arguing about which choice piece of Paraguay he gets for his retirement home.
July 23rd, 2008 at 2:47 pmwhat a f’n pussy…
This ass reveled in his image as fighter jock/war hero, power player politician to the point where he felt he could get away with anything; then he’s confronted with it all, prosecuted and convicted, *admits* his guilt in a tearful press conference; then when he actually gets into prison tries to recant everything–”I want out! I was framed I tell ya!”
Now he’s grasping at his last hope, clemency from what he rightly perceives as a kindred spirit of corruption, so that he can get out of the lengthy prison term he so justly deserves, and probably lobby for a cushy job on False News as a commentator railing against the injustices served against him and his republic party cronies.
What an unbelievable coward.
July 23rd, 2008 at 2:52 pmYa’see, bein locked up and all, it’s just a mental thing, you know, a psychology sort of deal.
July 23rd, 2008 at 2:59 pmAs soon as Bush is sure Kucinich’s impeachment proceedings are totally ignored and it’s too late to initiate any he’ll start pardoning everybody.
July 23rd, 2008 at 3:02 pmJebus. This country has become nothing more than a banana republic. All that’s missing is for Generalissimo Chimpy to strut around in a uniform with his chest full of fake medals.
July 23rd, 2008 at 3:04 pmShayne,
So despicable, so sad, and so true.
FU(K YOU NANCY PELOSI, JOHN CONYERS, AND EVERY SINGLE DEMOCRAT WHO HAS DONE ANYTHING TO STYMIE IMPEACHMENT. FU(K YOU ALL. YOU WILL NOT BE REMEMBERED FONDLY IN THE HISTORY BOOKS.
July 23rd, 2008 at 3:06 pmThe Dukester hasn’t quite accepted that he is no longer relevant to anyone but his 300 pound ‘cell hubby’.
July 23rd, 2008 at 3:08 pmLeftside Annie,
July 23rd, 2008 at 3:09 pmDo you, like me, sometimes feel like the horrified narrator of Cat’s Cradle as he watches the idiot Hoenikker children and the dictator of San Lorenzo destroy the world in their ignorance and delusions of grandeur?
Leftside Annie Says:
Jebus. This country has become nothing more than a banana republic. All that’s missing is for Generalissimo Chimpy to strut around in a uniform with his chest full of fake medals.
July 23rd, 2008 at 3:04 pm
Like the “Mission Accomplished” speech?
July 23rd, 2008 at 3:12 pmmisshusseinmolly Says:
——————————————————————————–
Unless Cunningham has something over Bush (or Cheney), I don’t look for Bush to grant him clemency or anything else. This case differs from the Scooter Libby case, where Libby undoubtedly was in a position to implicate people higher than he was in the crime he was convicted for.
I wouldn’t be so sure about that. The Dukestir was involved in what is probably the largest corruption scheme in the history of the US government. Many Republican members of Congress, and Dick Cheney himself, were implicated in this fraud before the investigations were effectively shut down by Alberto Gonzales, when he fired the US Attorneys. Untold millions, perhaps hundreds of millions of dollars were funneled by Congressional Republicans, through phoney defense contractors, back to those Congressional Republicans, and to the Republican National Committee. Once the Justice Department is taken from the Republicans next January, this investigation could easily resume.
July 23rd, 2008 at 3:13 pm27-Pete – he was missing the medals, but I guess the giant Presidential Seal kinda made up for that….
*sigh*
July 23rd, 2008 at 3:15 pm26 – LT, sounds like a *very* depressing read. :o( Unfortunately, we’re already living it.
~A
July 23rd, 2008 at 3:17 pmLeftside Annie,
July 23rd, 2008 at 3:26 pmIt should be required reading for everyone haha. Vonnegut was the man. It’s actually beautifully written and has quite a bit of dark humor to it, but yes, like most Vonnegut the ending is less than happy.
It is true. There is no way to overstate the damage this man did. In the most corrupt administration, with the biggest liars and crooks, this man took more in the way of bribes then anyone in history.
But since he is of no use to Bush, I would be surprised if he is pardoned. I hope he rots there.
July 23rd, 2008 at 3:34 pmcurious Says:
It is true. There is no way to overstate the damage this man did. In the most corrupt administration, with the biggest liars and crooks, this man took more in the way of bribes then anyone in history.
That we know of. Remember, as someone pointed out, the investigations were all shut down by Alberto Gonzales. I would not be surprised if an even bigger bribe taker (in terms of money, not physical girth) managed to avoid detection during the investigations thanks to an Attorney General who did not believe in supporting and defending the constitution. (Just like the current one, who apparently thought his oath said that he would support and defend the president against the constitution.)
July 23rd, 2008 at 3:47 pmSorry Daryll. We don’t take orders from slaves or liars. You fail on both counts.
July 23rd, 2008 at 4:09 pmPart of the whole rotten conspiracy, he’ll probably get undeserved clemency.
July 23rd, 2008 at 4:12 pmLOL, Scooter did Don Arbusto’s bidding and then fell on his sword. Scooter is a made-man and Arbusto conservatives cronies all applauded him for it.
Cunningham was just acting like a money-grubbing conservative and then was incompetent enough to get caught. Tsk, tsk, I doubt this will impress Don Arbusto.
July 23rd, 2008 at 4:12 pmLast I checked, Daryll, Jefferson’s case had not yet gone to trial, so he was not convicted and sitting in a prison cell asking the president to pardon him.
Now that we’ve addressed Jefferson’s issue, we’ll go back to talking about what a corrupt party the GOP is. And you can go back to whatever closet you were praying in (like the Bible says to do.)
July 23rd, 2008 at 4:18 pmHey Darryll,
Nobody here has ever protected Jefferson and when he is found guilty, he will be attacked here as well.
But, as typical, you Repugs always try to divert the attention and rationalize things by saying “he did it too”.
Doesn’t work at TP, sorry.
And I take it from your coment, that you support the Dukester? Because he is a Repug or because you just think he is innocent?
July 23rd, 2008 at 4:21 pmDaryll Says:
Libs, be quiet about this issue until you address William Jefferson’s issue.
soar daryll,
soar like you’ve
never soared before!
*
mcsame/cunningham ‘08
that’s the ticket!
:)
July 23rd, 2008 at 4:23 pmHere’s another great example of the “party of accountability”. Can anyone think of a better metaphor, for the whole neocon movement, than Hit and Run?
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/07/23/politics/politico/main4286279.shtml
July 23rd, 2008 at 4:24 pmI’ll be shocked…SHOCKED…if he doesn’t get his pardon.
July 23rd, 2008 at 4:27 pmI wonder what kind of prison the so-called Duke is in? Is it a country club where the white collar perps play cards and watch tv all day? Is he working out every day getting buff? Is he tending the warden’s garden? Is he leading bible study for the fallen?
July 23rd, 2008 at 4:31 pmHe’s nothing more than a common thief who hid behind his ‘position’. If he were in one of the middle eastern countries, probably the hand(s) would be cut off like the other thieves.
Darylll shouldn’t throw stones, given that TV religious ministries are the biggest scam going in this nation right now. Some of these “ministers” who are just running infomercial pyramid schemes shouldn’t be given the right to hide behind the Constitution under any religious freedoms or tax exempt status. Peter Popoff and Don Stewart are two that come to mind right off the bat who should be in prison right now. Creflo Dollar is another.
July 23rd, 2008 at 4:42 pmDuke Cunningham is not the only one asking.
From the New Orleans newspaper yesterday.
“Former Gov. Edwin Edwards and former Insurance Commissioner Jim Brown are among the more than 2,000 people convicted of federal crimes awaiting word on whether President Bush will give them a pardon or commute their sentences during his final months in office.”
July 23rd, 2008 at 5:02 pm#34:
Libs, be quiet about this issue until you address William Jefferson’s issue.
Oh. Sorry, I had no idea jefferson was asking for clemency too.
July 23rd, 2008 at 5:11 pmIsn’t this the guy who has been linked to KBR contractors – who got their contracts by bribing him – whose shoddy electrical work has resulted in the deaths of several American soldiers in Iraq?
Let him rot.
July 23rd, 2008 at 5:30 pm“It’s a big club, and you ain’t in it. You and I are not in the big club.”
July 23rd, 2008 at 6:12 pmBrian Bilbray, the surfer turned lobbyist turned congressman. The fact that San Diego voters chose a GOP surfing lobbyist over squeaky-clean school board member and Democrat Francine Busby to replace the poster boy of All-Time GOP Corruption shows you how far gone the Republican base is.
July 23rd, 2008 at 6:24 pmPolitical power comes from the barrel of a gun.
July 23rd, 2008 at 6:24 pmBush can’t issue pardons if he’s being IMPEACHED!
If he’s not impeached, I fear he will issue a blanket pardon to anyone associated with the Republican party.
July 23rd, 2008 at 9:34 pmWhy doesn’t Duke ask Americans for this?
How about his old district voters?
What of restitution?
July 24th, 2008 at 3:28 ammongo Says:
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what a f’n pussy…
This ass reveled in his image as fighter jock/war hero, power player politician to the point where he felt he could get away with anything; then he’s confronted with it all, prosecuted and convicted, *admits* his guilt in a tearful press conference; then when he actually gets into prison tries to recant everything–”I want out! I was framed I tell ya!”
Now he’s grasping at his last hope, clemency from what he rightly perceives as a kindred spirit of corruption, so that he can get out of the lengthy prison term he so justly deserves, and probably lobby for a cushy job on False News as a commentator railing against the injustices served against him and his republic party cronies.
What an unbelievable coward.
Are you aware that this man was the Nav’ys only ace in Vietnam?
He is anything but a coward.
Do you got the balls to strap into a cockpit of a fighter jet and go into combat against deadly foes?
You are correct that he thought he could get away with this shit but a coward – I think not.
July 24th, 2008 at 10:38 am