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Pointing out Clintons Pardons doesn't make what Bush did right or wrong each pardon or Commute must stand on its own merits. But what it does do is point out the hypocrisy of the Left. We see the same thing with the firing of the U.S attorneys. Bush sneezes and the left wants to make it some kind of national scandal,all for political expediency.get a new playbook, the old one is not only transparent, but getting really boring.

Very funny. If you hate Bush, you must love the Clintons. If you love Bush, you must hate the Clintons. Totally lame logic. NAFTA, welfare "reform," war in Kosovo... What did Bill Clinton do politically while in office that any Republican neo-con wouldn't have done at the time? As far as I'm concerned, Bush and the Clintons all stink!

I am bragging that Romney didn't give any pardons, and if you find pardons objectionable that should mean something.

I was under the impression that the jury decides the guilty/not guilty verdict and the judge metes out the sentence. Pardons and commuted sentences are different as well. The commuted sentence does not overturn the jury's verdict.

Pardons are a check and balance in our system. We all know that judges make some pretty questionable moves and at times show really poor judgment. The Executive branch and the Judicial branch both have checks and balances on each other and it is more commonly a really good thing than not.

Excellent post Realist.

Here we go again about "what Clinton did" LOL. Do republicans and conservatives not have access to calenders? Hint: It's 2007 now and Clinton (NEWSFLASH!)is NOT the president. Hasn't been for SEVEN YEARS already!

And how does what Clinton did that was wrong make THIS any less wrong? Answer: It doesn't. It only makes them BOTH wrong. The right will do anything to try to spin out it's way out of yet another bad decision by Bush. People need to take a course on debate logic and common sense.

I, along with most people, didn't agree with Billy's pardons, just like most people didn't agree with this commutation here. But Dubya knew that ahead of time, and did it anyway – so he could help out a buddy and embolden the 25% of the general population that agreed with the move. Shrewd political move there Dubya! Apparently he doesn't have access to his approval rating or the results of the last congressional elections to see how consistently pandering to that 25% has played out over the years.

Shawnie ... if you're bragging that Romnie "doesn't believe in overturning juries", why is he condoning Dubya having done EXACTLY that? This is another ideological flip flop by a guy who makes up his platform as he goes along.

Libby was given an excessive sentence because he was FOUND GUILTY of lying and obstructing the very investigation into how guilty he was. God forbid he should pay for that by 1) serving what would have probably amounted to a fraction of the original sentence (with time off for good behavior) 2) in a minimum security "prison" probably more like a country club than anything else.

Ronald Reagan isn't screaming and pointing fingers at anyone. The point was the hypocrisy of Hillary. Clinton gave out 3 times as many pardons as "W" and to really questionable people.

We've had mostly Republican presidents so the "80%" comment is mute as well.

I think Romney is not sure about LEGAL FORMALITIES, Clinton's pardon was before the legal precess, Bush's pardon for Libby is in guilty and sentenced 30 months by Republican proscutor and Republican Judge. That is totally different cases. I am not surprised with Republican's unreasonableness and stubbornness.
Dear Romney, don't be so positive when you are not certain.

Flip-Flop, Flip-Flop,Flip-Flop, Flip-Flop, Flip-Flop, Flip-Flop, Flip-Flop, Flip-Flop, Flip-Flop.....

and the beat goes on.

Office of the Pardon Attorney at the Department of Justice.

George W. Bush:
Pardons: 113
Commutations: 4 (including Libby)

Bill Clinton:
Pardons: 396
Commutations: 61

George H.W. Bush:
Pardons: 74
Commutations: 3

Ronald Reagan:
Pardons: 393
Commutations: 13

Jimmy Carter:
Pardons: 534
Commutations: 29

Gerald Ford:
Pardons: 382
Commutations: 22

Interesting numbers, eh?

This isn't about what past Presidents did, and it isn't a blanket topic, it is specifically about Scooter Libby. Generalizing is just a way to spin away from the real issue. If you complain about what past President's have done than i suspect you think two wrongs make a right? He did it so we can too? A jury of Americans found Libby guilty of a seious crime and Bush just gave them the finger pretty much. I'm sure Libby knew all along he would never see a day of jail time. For that matter, most of America knew it. It's typical for this administration to once again think they are above the law. Anyone remember Valerie Plame? Would you know her name had it not been for Libby, Rove etc? Libby will be pardoned before Bush is out. He's just biding time because he thinks Americans are passive and will forget this case. I for one will NOT.

I cant't believe these presidential candidates are defending this President who is going to give a pardon to a LIAR!! They keep saying the President looked at all the evidence very careful!! When has Bush ever looked at anything careful? Give me a break! Where in a CIVIL WAR because of this Presidents itelligence! God help us if one of these clowns gets in the White House.

Apparently, Mr Rommney has it wrong again..if you consider that President Reagan gave Pardons to over 370 people. Check the records Mr Rommney over 80% were Republicans..Does that surprise you? Your ignorance is only surpassed by your polite arrogance.

This must be the first time I've read something from Romney that I like.

For those saying other presidents pardoned even more than Clinton, that's not the issue. Clinton pardoned people, and as far as I know, Mrs. Clinton never spoke out. He's right that it looks "silly" to be so enraged at Bush's almost-pardon but fine with her husband's pardons. He was quite careful with his words, and not as hostile as he could have been.

Boy this guy is not smart and he thinks your stupid. His logic is flawed and his facts are wrong.

Thank God someone is speaking out in behalf of reason!!! Clinton did what ever he pleased. This whole lopsided country is going insane. If a Democrate commits treason (Nancy Pelosi going to an enemy nation against the wishes of her own government for talks) it's ok. If a Republican walks on the wrong side of the road or jaywalks they should go to prison! What the heck. Valarie and her husband made no secret of who they were. Everyone knew it but Libby should go to jail because he talked about it?? There is no reason in Washington right now. I hope the next election finds some reason in this country before we completely loose our governement to insanity!!! I used to be independent but the Democrates scare me to death. Look at their last front runners....Gore has gone insane in full public view, John Kerry tries to run with the veterans who hate him, Hillary Clinton is one of the most hated women in America....PLEASE GOD find an honest Democrate to run and make ths next one a good race!!!!

Why is everyone whining? Pardons are part of the checks and balances of the constitution. Even so, there is very little check on the court system.

As far as Mitt's concerned ... he's FLIP FLOPPING more than a fish out of water.

Perhaps if some here would do their homework (use the googles on the internet tubes ... they can be your friend), they would see that Richard Nixon, Lyndon B. Johnson and even Ronald Reagan had more pardons than Clinton did.

Just another pathetic attempt by some in the GOP who scream, "BUT! CLINTON DID IT TOO!". VERY weak and VERY lame.

He will say whatever the conservative right (remember those are the people who ruined the party of Reagan) want to hear. If you want to talk pardons etc. look at the record. Of course they all do it. They usually do it at the end of the presidency. Wait till "W" is done. I want to know why "W" has refused to see his way to pardon the border agents CAMPION AND RAMOS? Would that offend the people of his beloved Mexico?

Btw. There isn't a single viable candidate at this time that really stands for the party and most of all for the people of America.....

“WE THE PEOPLE”

Bush pardoned Libby, so he wouldn't "squeal" on him. This cover up is probably bigger than watergate. It will all come out years after Bush is out of office. His legacy will be one of corruption and "Being the face" of the unseen power brokers pulling his puppet strings.

So many of you are dead on, Romney is so right here. This will shed light on the Clinton pardons that were barely reported by the usual suspects.

Mark Rich was dealing with Iranians while they had hostages, wiretapping, fraud and many other misdeeds and Billiary gave him a full pardon, why didn't we hear about abuse of power then?

If this hurt Valerie Plames and Joe Wilsons life so much, why are they not asking for the head of the real "leaker"?

Something fishy here.

Romney – 08

Actually it was W's father who handed out pardons like lollipops. Romney is
inaccurate as always.

Realist said, "Clinton handed out pardons like lollipops? Maybe so, but I can’t recall him pardoning any members of his own administration to keep them out of jail."

Please allow me to help jog your memory. The list includes ex-Housing Secretary Henry Cisneros, who was convicted in a controversy over payments to an ex-mistress, as well as former CIA Director John Deutch, who had a long history of security lapses.

Clintons list is found here http://www.usdoj.gov/pardon/clintonpardon_grants.htm

You will find some people from his cabinent.

Like the secretary of HUD

It's a damn shame this President does whatever he wants. Then he lies to the american people trying to justify his actions.
Why do we have a court system or even a democracy when one person can unjustly reverse without explaination change the will of the people and court
This is one arrogant president.
Why did'nt he step in and help the border crossing guards? Then we have Tony Snow trying to blow smoke and just made matters worst. I so proud of Collen Powell he got out of this lying unjust administration. Jeb don't even think about running for president.

Even the Red,White and Blue Republicans have to admit this one stinks-and it comes so close to Mr. Law & Order too.

From the looks of the 2008 election developments, Romney just might well be the next president of the United States. He is smart, competent, good-looking with a great family and a wife that fits the role of first lady. Compare her to Giuliani’s wife, McCain’s wife and Thompson’s “teenager” and you’ll see the difference. If we care about the office of the President of our country, Romney will restore the integrity and reputation of the office of POTUS!

Have democrats not realized that Hillary will divide the country as much as Bush is doing?

Obama is really the only one who will be able to bring the country together.

I love the way politicians, voters, and candidates keep pulling out how many pardons past presidents have given.

My mother always taught me that just because one person does something in no way means I can do it.

Just because Clinton "handed out pardons like lolipops" in no way makes what Bush has done right, morally or ethically.

Bush is well within his legal right to commute Scooter's sentence. It doesn't mean the action is the right thing to do. Just because you can doesn't mean you should.

As he leaves office I expect Bush to pardon Scooter completely.

Sorry, couldn't resist this one.

"Spoken like the true flipity-flop that he is"

Uh, DJ, you're not even using this worn-out cliche right. When Romney was governor, he didn't issue pardons because he didn't believe in overturning juries. He was condoning a commuted sentence which is quite different than a pardon and he has been completely consistent.

Romney is an all-American class act. It is true, Clinton gave out 3 times as many pardons as Bush has.

Libby's sentence was unduly harsh and it was an over application of justice. Libby got a sentence several times what past trespassers have received.

Romney is winning the primaries by the way.

"Romney had said earlier that he refused to grant pardons, which have eliminated the guilty verdict against Libby, because he didn’t want to overturn a jury’s decision"

Spoken like the true flipity-flop that he is

Clinton handed out pardons like lollipops? Maybe so, but I can't recall him pardoning any members of his own administration to keep them out of jail. That's exclusively a Republican tactic, as in Ford's pardon of Nixon, Poppy Bush's pardoning of the Iran/Contra criminals, and now Junior's pardon of Scooter.

Wrong Mitt will be there to the end. The more people see him and get to know him the more they like him. He'll win this whole thing.

Hallelujah, finally someone has a good memory when it comes to the "sacred" Clintons. Bill Clinton pardoned real criminals and knew it. Why is it that no one remembers the dirty deeds of Clinton. The public, certainly the liberals, always block out the real truth about politicians. Sad for America.

I advise all liberals to please just don't pay any attention to Romney at all. Y'all just go ahead and nominate Clinton or Obama (or better yet – both on the same ticket!), stay as lib as you can get, perhaps even propose cutting off all funding for the troops, propose forced national health care, and go whole hog into promoting socialism, communism, whatever y'all want. Then in November, the American people will choose. Just keep on talking, libs, the more you talk, the more the conservative movement grows. I am so into free speech.

Anyone REALLY care what this guy has to say? He'll be gone after the primaries. Don't waste your space on your website, CNN.