I. Lewis Libby Jr., convicted of perjury in the CIA leak case, appreciates better than most the importance of muckety.
His 30-month prison sentence was commuted yesterday by President Bush, who said he believed the term was excessive. Bush’s action was hailed by conservatives, who had organized a defense fund called the Libby Legal Defense Trust. Likely presidential candidate Fred Thompson was among the fundraisers.
“This is not a man who deserves to go to jail in any sense of the word,” said long-time friend Kenneth L. Adelman.
Current and former powerhouses who had earlier written letters to the court, urging leniency, included Donald Rumsfeld, Henry A. Kissinger, Paul Wolfowitz and John Bolton.
On the web
Bush Spares Libby 30-Month Jail Term – New York Times
Scooter Libby’s Pals, Trusting In Providence – Washington Post
Scooter Libby Love Letters – Smoking Gun
Libby Legal Defense Trust