"I'm Rubber, You're Glue"
The LA Times notes that Hillary Clinton's criticism of Bush for pardoning Scooter Libby rings a wee bit hollow:
Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D.-N.Y.) denounced the administration for considering itself above the law, and said the commutation "sends the clear signal that in this administration, cronyism and ideology trump competence and justice." She happens to be right. A defining feature of this administration has been its arrogant refusal to submit to the most basic public inquiry, a hubris that extends to its rejection of the rule of law.But Clinton is a particularly poor spokeswoman for that idea, as her husband displayed the same cavalier regard for equal justice under the law. With the sand running out on his administration, President Clinton hustled through pardons for 141 people and commutations for 36 more. Among those who received pardons were 27 men and women convicted of drug crimes, deserters from the military, a former member of the Clinton Cabinet who pleaded guilty to making false statements to authorities, and various perjurers and obstructionists. Clinton's half-brother walked away that day with a clean record, as did Patty Hearst and financier Marc Rich — at the time a fugitive from justice on charges of violating the embargo against trade with Iran, tax evasion and other unsavory deeds. Clinton's pardons were particularly offensive because they were issued just as his presidency ended, so there was no way for him to be held accountable for his misuse of power.
Hillary Clinton is not Bill Clinton, and his misdeeds are not hers. But her candidacy for president is appealing to many voters in part because she embodies the restoration of his administration, still glitteringly popular among the hard-core Democrats who will pick the next nominee. It is in that context that her remarks on the Libby case highlight the uncomfortable tension in what she offers to voters: She seeks to surround herself with her husband's legacy and yet strains to stand apart from it. Other candidates criticized Bush for the Libby commutation too, but only Clinton's comments provoked White House spokesman Tony Snow to question her "chutzpah," in light of the Clinton administration's pardon record.
Excellent. Contender for post of the year. Totally Faboo.
It's amazing, amazing how quickly people forgot about those wretched pardons. And the staff offices trashed and vandalized in the last hour of the administration.. And the stolen White House silverware and furnishings. About having this family member living in the basement of the White House, awaiting investigation for multiple lobbyist violations, asking the staff to bring him cheeseburgers that you paid for: http://urltea.com/xk1
Crid at July 8, 2007 12:13 PM
Don't forget the W.H. staff parties till 2 AM. Junior level staff members participating in senior level meetings where National Security topics were being discussed.
Leon Podesta (not a rightwing nut) referred the Clinton White House as a college dorm and it was the main reason why he resigned from the Chief of Staff position.
Joe at July 8, 2007 12:28 PM
I just think it's important to remember that hypocrisy isn't a recent invention of the Republicans.
Amy Alkon at July 8, 2007 1:03 PM
""Hillary Clinton is not Bill Clinton, and his misdeeds are not hers.""
But they kinda are right? Thats what Tony Snowjob and the LA Times was implying.
At least Clinton was smart enough to do it just before he left office. Of course Bush could have done the same butby then Libby probably would have been eligable for parole.
30 months for pejury and the possible criminally negligent homocide of scorse of CIA employees is not that much and if Libby was planning on turning against the administration for leniency he probably would have already done so, so the question is why did Bush really commute his sentance?
ujlp at July 8, 2007 1:03 PM
The best and most obvious answer is that he culdn't be any less popular, so why not?
Crid at July 8, 2007 1:08 PM
There is a diff betwixt the two. Cooter was/is a government official, while Marc Rich was a tax evader. Ya gotta hold yer officials to higher standards, especially from this W.H., which said it will be the anti-Clinton. "Bring back honor and decency." Heh-heh.
The Mad Hungarian at July 8, 2007 2:08 PM
People inclined to think that Scooter might have bad things to say about the activities of the VP's office might see the commutation (vs. a pardon) as a useful way of making sure Scooter doesn't talk until the end of Bush's term. I'm not sure I buy this argument; instead I think this is just another half-assed move on Bush's part, but I'd be quite surprised if Bush doesn't do a full pardon at that time. In the meanwhile, this was a somewhat base-pleasing way of keeping Libby out of jail.
"Bring back honor and decency."
At this point in time, I just wish they had brought back ordinary levels of political sleaze and managerial incompetence.
justin case at July 8, 2007 2:55 PM
I'm of the school thought that both parties are incompetent and corrupt. Read Chapter 10: Why the Worst Get on Top in F.A. Hayek's The Road to Serfdom and compare the POTUS candidates of both parties. Except Ron Paul, who is the only elected rep who actually follows the Constitution.
Personally, I hate Republicans, but loathe Democrats. In a few years, I will hate Democrats and loathe Republicans.
Joe at July 8, 2007 3:03 PM
> Cooter was/is a government
> official, while Marc Rich
> was a tax evader.
"Tax evader" understates things. We'll never know whether Clinton would have been so patient hearing (in person, in private) the petitions for pardon from from Rich's ex-wife she not been so busty.
http://urltea.com/xlh
"Why hello, Mr. President! So good to see you again!"
> commutation (vs. a pardon)
> as a useful way of making
> sure Scooter doesn't talk
Dude, that's brilliant. Never thought of it. Amy, give him the AG windbreaker with the emblem of the little dog peeing on the Eiffel, the pink sports visor, and throw in the insulated (chartreuse) coffee mug.
> I hate Republicans, but
> loathe Democrats. In a
> few years, I will hate
> Democrats and loathe
> Republicans.
Exactly. Exactly. Exactly. I'm trying to think of something to add.
Crid at July 8, 2007 3:52 PM
Look! He's getting ready to honk that thing of his! Hill, who knows how ugly this can get, is looking straight the devil straight in the bosom.
http://urltea.com/xli
Crid at July 8, 2007 3:59 PM
Amy, give him the AG windbreaker with the emblem of the little dog peeing on the Eiffel, the pink sports visor, and throw in the insulated (chartreuse) coffee mug.
Yes, please!
justin case at July 8, 2007 7:35 PM
"Cooter was/is a government official, while Marc Rich was a tax evader. Ya gotta hold yer officials to higher standards"
You mean, like Henry Cisneros, the former HUD secretary guilty of lying under oath? Who Bill Clinton pardoned? And let's not forget about his pardons of the violent FALN types. Scooter hasn't been convicted of any violent crimes, last I checked.
Do I think that the fact that Clinton did something made it okay for Dubya to do? No. If Barack Obama wants to criticize Dubya about the pardon, fine. But Hillary Clinton? Riding on the coattails of her pardon-happy spouse? No.
marion at July 9, 2007 2:09 AM
Hillary was co-president during the Clinton Administration (Travel-gate, National Health-Care fiasco) and I would expect no less of Bill if Hillary were elected. This makes her culpable and it would be the same if they are elected to a third term.
The biggest issue is that "Billary" rolls off the tongue better than "Hillabill".
Ari at July 9, 2007 10:30 AM
NYT says Scooter Libby was Marc Rich's lawyer when the pardon was was give.
Small world. Repulsive, but small.
Crid at July 9, 2007 11:08 AM
Small world. Repulsive, but small.
You gotta stay the course.
The Mad Hungarian at July 9, 2007 4:27 PM
Heckuva job, guys.
The Mad Hungarian at July 9, 2007 5:15 PM
pardon from from Rich's ex-wife she not been so busty.
http://urltea.com/xlh
"Why hello, Mr. President! So good to see you again!"
Yes, but how much plastic surgery can a face take?
The Mad Hungarian at July 9, 2007 5:17 PM
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