Cheney Says Bush Erred in Not Pardoning Libby

Dick Cheney believes disgraced former chief of staff Scooter Libby, convicted in the CIA leak investigation, deserved a pardon, the Weekly Standard reports. “He was the victim of a serious miscarriage of justice,” the former vice president said. “Obviously, I disagree with President Bush.” Bush’s decision has been ascribed to an honest belief in Libby’s guilt, but also to a desire for the pardon not to appear politically motivated.

Nancy Pelosi provided a third, more egalitarian explanation for Bush’s reticence. “He thought that there was more access for some than others and he was not going to do any,” she said on Larry King Live, referring to the former president's attitude toward pardons. Bush did commute Libby’s sentence before he served any time. “The consequences of his felony conviction on his former life,” Bush said by way of explanation, “will be long-lasting.” (More presidential pardon stories.)