Bush commutes Libby jail sentence. My friend Jeff Lomonaco has been calling this for weeks. Update: Here's the grant of executive clemency.

Update: Here's Fitzgerald's statement:

We fully recognize that the Constitution provides that commutation decisions are a matter of presidential prerogative and we do not comment on the exercise of that prerogative.

We comment only on the statement in which the President termed the sentence imposed by the judge as “excessive.” The sentence in this case was imposed pursuant to the laws governing sentencings which occur every day throughout this country. In this case, an experienced federal judge considered extensive argument from the parties and then imposed a sentence consistent with the applicable laws. It is fundamental to the rule of law that all citizens stand before the bar of justice as equals. That principle guided the judge during both the trial and the sentencing.

Although the President’s decision eliminates Mr. Libby’s sentence of imprisonment, Mr. Libby remains convicted by a jury of serious felonies, and we will continue to seek to preserve those convictions through the appeals process.”

From the LAT: "'He won't antagonize anyone who didn't already hate him, and he will give solace and encouragement to the people who like him but are having doubts about his resolve,' said Whit Ayres, a Republican pollster."

Check out Marcy Wheeler on Hardball.

Posted by Laura at July 2, 2007 05:54 PM