The history of President's using the power to commute and/or pardon people has gone on since the Constitution was written. President Clinton issued pardons to many people who were part of Watergate, a scandal which involved him. You can label that just as "corrupt" as the Libby pardon.
It should also be noted that "the Supreme Court has ruled that the pardon power is granted "[t]o the [president] . .., and it is granted without limit" (United States v. Klein)." Source: NYTimes
Also, Libby still has to pay his fine ($250,000 if I remember correctly) and still complete his probation. He must serve that portion of his punishment.
I believe that if you look at what Libby was found guilty of, perjury, that's not worthy of a 30 month prison term.
President Bush did the correct thing by commuting the prison sentence, but keeping the fine and probation in place.
Slashdot Mirror
The history of President's using the power to commute and/or pardon people has gone on since the Constitution was written. President Clinton issued pardons to many people who were part of Watergate, a scandal which involved him. You can label that just as "corrupt" as the Libby pardon.
It should also be noted that "the Supreme Court has ruled that the pardon power is granted "[t]o the [president] . . ., and it is granted without limit" (United States v. Klein)." Source: NYTimes
Also, Libby still has to pay his fine ($250,000 if I remember correctly) and still complete his probation. He must serve that portion of his punishment.
I believe that if you look at what Libby was found guilty of, perjury, that's not worthy of a 30 month prison term.
President Bush did the correct thing by commuting the prison sentence, but keeping the fine and probation in place.