BD — who will be the first to agree with me that he is much further, ah, left than I am on a single-axis political spectrum — posts a fine take-down of the whole “The commutation of Scooter Libby’s sentence is okay because, well, Bill Clinton did it first, and that was even worse, so we’re all even, so let’s move onto something else” meme from the White House and its supporters, by noting that Clinton’s “I never met a donor I didn’t like” misuse of the power (and a shabby misuse at that) pales, itself, in comparison to his predecessor, George H. W. (“The Good Bush”) Bush, quoting:
President Bush today granted full pardons to six former officials in Ronald Reagan’s Administration, including former Defence Secretary Caspar W. Weinberger.
But in a single stroke, Mr. Bush swept away one conviction, three guilty pleas and two pending cases, virtually decapitating what was left of Mr. Walsh’s effort, which began in 1986. Mr. Bush’s decision was announced by the White House in a printed statement after the President left for Camp David, where he will spend the Christmas holiday.
In the case of both Bushes, commutation and pardons were directly applied in cases that could have directly implicated Administration officials of criminal activity. Not that Clinton has any room to crow, but the actions of his predecessor and successor were far more outrageous (and dangerous).