I was poking around Norm’s Senate website earlier today when I stumbled across this statement, dated July 3rd.
Scooter Libby was found to have lied and misled investigators. The President’s action does not-nor should it-excuse those actions. As a former prosecutor, I believe the punishment should fit the crime. Personally, I believe that the punishment for this albeit serious crime was overly punitive and that commuting Libby’s sentence was the fair thing to do. These are highly partisan times, and the President’s actions will be seen in that context and we need to move beyond that. Given the President’s decision on commuting Mr. Libby’s prison sentence, but not his fines or his conviction, I urge there be no further consideration or discussion of a presidential pardon.
Zack,
I heard Norm supported President Bush when he praised a Girl Scout Troop that recently visited the White House. It’s shocking that a Republican Senator would ever agree with a Republican President.
Libby’s sentence was within current sentencing guidelines for his crime. Interestingly enough, those guidelines had been strengthened to provide for lengthier sentences to counteract the so-called liberal activist federal judges who might be too ‘soft on crime’. Now it’s Bush who is apparently ‘soft on crime’ since he seems to think the punishment was too harsh.
Chris,
I heard that Norm Coleman is running for reelection. It’s shocking that people would want to tell us the views of someone running for political office.
From a new Gallup poll…
“A new USA Today/Gallup poll finds that most Americans disagree with President George W. Bush’s decision to intervene in the case of former vice presidential aide Lewis “Scooter” Libby. Bush’s actions apparently did not help him among his party base — the vast majority of Republicans say it has not affected their level of confidence in Bush and more say it has caused them to lose confidence than gain confidence in him. Republicans and Democrats are about equally likely to be paying attention to the story, and those paying close attention are especially critical of Bush.”
http://www.galluppoll.com/content/?ci=28090
Is it just me, or does it sound like Norm Coleman does not care what the will of the American people is?