Decision Points, by Pres. George W. Bush: on Crime


Dick Cheney: Aggressively sought Scooter Libby pardon in 2007 & 2009

Critics alleged that someone had committed a crime by intentionally leaking the identity of a CIA operative, [Valerie Plame, in the 2003 Iraq-Niger case]. Dick's chief-of-staff, Scooter Libby, was indicted for perjury, obstruction of justice, and making false statements. Scooter was sentenced to 30 months in prison.

I faced an agonizing decision. I could let Scooter go to jail. Or I could commute his sentence. Some in the White House, led by the vice president, pushed aggressively for a pardon. In 2007, I announced, "The prison sentence given to Libby is excessive. Therefore, I am commuting the sentence."

In the closing days of the administration in 2009, Dick pressed his case that Scooter should be pardoned [to clear Libby's criminal record]. I reached the same conclusion as in 2007, and I informed Dick that I would not issue a pardon. He stared at me with an intense look. "I can't believe you're going to leave a soldier on the battlefield," he said. In 8 years, I had never seen Dick like this.

Source: Decision Points, by Pres. George W. Bush, p.103-105 Nov 9, 2010

George W. Bush: Death penalty, when properly administered, saves lives

In Feb. 2001, British Prime Minister Tony Blair and his wife, Cherie, came to visit Laura and me. The death penalty came up. Cherie made clear she didn't agree with my position. Tony looked a little uncomfortable. I listened to her views and then defende mine. I told her I believed the death penalty, when properly administered, could save live by deterring crime. Cherie rebutted my arguments. At one point, Laura and I overheard the Blairs' bright 17-year-old son, say, "Give the man a break, Mother."
Source: Decision Points, by Pres. George W. Bush, p.230-231 Nov 9, 2010

  • The above quotations are from Decision Points,
    by George W. Bush .
  • Click here for definitions & background information on Crime.
  • Click here for other issues (main summary page).
  • Click here for more quotes by George W. Bush on Crime.
  • Click here for more quotes by George Bush Sr. on Crime.
Candidates and political leaders on Crime:
2010 Retiring Democratic Senators:
CT:Dodd
DE:Kaufman
IL:Burris
IN:Bayh
ND:Dorgan
WV:Byrd
WV:Goodwin 		<2010 Retiring Republican Senators:
FL:Martinez
FL:LeMieux
KS:Brownback
KY:Bunning
MO:Bond
NH:Gregg
OH:Voinovich
PA:Specter
UT:Bennett 		Newly appointed/elected Senators, 2009-2010:
DE:Kaufman (D)
CO:Bennet (D)
IL:Burris (D)
MA:Brown (R)
NY:Gillibrand (D)
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Page last updated: Aug 18, 2011