Just the cold, hard facts

Scooter Libby goes to court today to be arraigned, which naturally is getting big play on the BBC. The theme of the day seems to be the idea that, if Libby were to be convicted, Bush will pardon him. On the BBC's website Justin Webb says, in unverifiably, if typically, vague language, that "It is widely believed" that Libby would be pardoned by Bush in the event of a conviction. I'm guessing that "widely" encompasses little more than Webb's fellow hacks and DNC activists. And then making an appearance on Radio Four's Today program this morning while displaying the objectivity and moderation we've come to expect from him, Webb was unable to suppress a chortle as he described the presidential power of pardon as a "banana republic rule."

Not long after, on Radio Five Live, reporter James Weston (sp?) informed listeners that, although he had only "just been reminded" (by Webb, perhaps?) of the possibility of a presidential pardon, his own sage judgement was that it was "quite likely" to happen.

So to sum up: If the Libby case actually goes to trial, and if Libby is then convicted, and if he then gets sentenced to jail time, and if Bush is still in office when it finally concludes (Weston reminds us of how slowly the wheels of justice turn in the US), then it is "widely believed" by some unspecified group of people that it is "quite likely" that Bush will pardon Libby.

Far be it for the BBC to engage in idle speculation.