TPMCafe: Obama Opposes Libby Pardon

[flpoljunkie]

Obama Opposes Libby Pardon
By Greg Sargent

Via Atrios, Obama campaign general counsel Robert Bauer caused the Senator some trouble today by writing a piece on the Huffington Post blog arguing for a pardon for Scooter Libby. Presumably not a popular position among Dems.

So we just asked the Obama campaign where he stood on a pardon. The answer: He's against it.

The Obama camp just sent us a transcript of an interview Obama did with ABC News' David Wright that hasn't been posted by ABC yet:

Wright: Another person who enjoys extraordinary privilege in our justice system, Scooter Libby, should he go to jail?

Obama: I think that based on the evidence and conviction that he deserves jail time, yes.

Wright: Full sentence?

Obama: Well, I have not followed the case closely enough to want to render a judgment on what would be typical in these types of sentences but what I can say is, he obviously betrayed the basic principle that you tell the truth to investigators to federal investigators. He did not do that and I think that’s a problem.

Wright: And if the President were to pardon him would that be a travesty of justice?

Obama: I think that people expect that if someone breaks the law that they are treated like other people who break the laws regardless of the connections or contacts they have.

Not as forceful as it could have been, but pretty much opposing a pardon.

Update: Yes, he definitely opposes a pardon. The Obama campaign just sent over this from spokesman Dan Pfeiffer:

"Bob was speaking on his own behalf. Senator Obama opposes a pardon and strongly believes that Libby should be held accountable for his actions."

http://www.tpmcafe.com/blog/electioncentral/2007/jun/13/obama_opposes_libby_pardon

[Kingstree]

1. Thanks for Clarifying Obama Stance on Issue

:loveya:

[TwilightGardener]

2. Yep, thanks! I figured his counsel did not speak for him, but it's nice to know for sure.

[ShortnFiery]

3. Alleluia! ... Holy Sh*t! ... Where's the Tylenol!?!

Thank-you!
Thank-you!
Thank-you!

PLAY BALL! :applause:

[Bullet1987]

4. Thanks for the clarification...

[Grandrose]

5. Thank you!

Rapid response....is good!!!:applause: :kick:

[Zodiak]

6. Was it ever in question?

Supporting Scooter Libby's pardon is something I only expect from overt turncoats like the odious Joe Leiberman.....not a moderate Democrat like Obama.

[HowHasItComeToThis]

7. FIRE ROBERT BAUER..... RIGHT NOW

HE IS A LOOSE CANNON

[Capn Sunshine]

8. AMEN

This is a problem I'm encountering at the national campaign.... lots of mini-agendas and people who think Bob Shrum style experience is the whole package.

[Bitwit1234]

9. I didn't think Obama wanted Libby pardoned.

Shame how the MSM mis-states stuff. Guess Hillary tho is a trooper by now, as much as they gang up on her with lies.

[Ethelk2044]

10. No he doesn't I am glad

He put to rest and proved the Hillarites wrong once again.



:rofl:

[City Lights]

11. K&R

Thanks, flpoljunkie. Glad to see this. :-)

[Ethelk2044]

12. People keep under estimating him - I Love IT!

:woohoo:

[AtomicKitten]

13. of course he does

n/t

[Qutzupalotl]

14. Thanks.

The guilt-by-association thread had me going.

[illinoisprogressive]

15. said on other post I hoped he would slap Bob. I guess he did.

and I bet Obama is not happy with him at all.

[Ethelk2044]

19. This is good.

[benny05]

16. I guess he could be thrown under the bus

It will be interesting to see what Obama does otherwise. So far, he hasn't taken any responsibility for the goofs. He tends to throw folks under the bus.

[Ethelk2044]

18. Obama has not had any goofs. You need to worry about

Edwards and his voting record and his goofs. Maybe if you do that he will become better. You should be giving him advice.

[BringBigDogBack]

17. kick

bump

[Ethelk2044]

20. Kick

[Czolgosz]

21. In what world does this not go without saying?

[snowbear]

22. Kudos to all the DU'ers who were screaming this from the mountain tops for 2 days...

Perhaps those who dissed the hell out of him will thank you for for sharing this article flpojunkie?

Yeah.

Sure they will.

What am I thinking?

[Ethelk2044]

23. They are not big enough to admit they were wrong

[mckeown1128]

24. Kick-a-poo