Give Scooter Libby a New Job

Conservatives have not been very happy with President Bush lately because of his support for immigration reform and his apparent disregard for the fate of Scooter Libby. Although his commutation of Libby's sentence should reassure the President's base, many conservatives believe that the President did not go far enough. I think the President needs to do more to win back the base and I have an idea that will do just that.

Many were shocked by the harsh sentence that Judge Reggie Walton gave Libby. To give him a sentence that was within the sentencing guidelines was to treat him like a crack dealer or some other common criminal. It sent a terrible message to those who criticize the administration that no one can do anything to stop them without risking jail time. In his statement commuting the sentence President Bush called the sentence "excessive." But oddly the President did not pardon Libby and he did not absolve him of having to pay a hefty $250,000 fine.

Ed Morrissey, who was not very happy with President's immigration bill and wanted Congress "to find a solution that respects the rule of law," compared the President to Solomon. "In opting for commutation, Bush has attempted a Solomonic decision to split the baby," Morrissey wrote. "Unfortunately, like Solomon, Bush will probably find neither side satisfied." Although I agree with Morrissey that Bush is as wise as Solomon, I'm not sure he is interpreting the biblical story correctly. As I recall one of two women who claimed the baby was perfectly happy to settle for half a baby and it was only the real mother that objected. To tell you the truth I never understood why the other woman thought having half a baby was a pretty good deal, but I guess times were different back then. Morrissey thinks that half a baby is all the President could give Libby for now.

Ace of Spades, who in post after post rallied his readers to jam the phone lines of their congressmen to protest the "amnesty bill" for illegal immigrants, was glad that the President ended what he called a "silly fantasia." However, he thinks that the $250,000 fine should have been lowered to something more reasonable. Undeclared presidential candidate Fred Thompson said he was "happy" for Libby though he had "urged for a pardon." Thompson, who was on Libby's defense fund, had also split with the President on immigration, saying that illegal immigrants from Cuba are potential terrorists. Glenn Reynolds, who thought the immigration bill sent a message to legal immigrants that "laws are for suckers" predicted that Bush would rise in the polls as some conservatives rallied to his side for commuting Libby's sentence. Michelle Malkin who has excoriated the President over what she called "shamnesty" for illegal immigrants has been largely silent on the Libby case.

If Bush wants to win back the Republican base, there is something he could do that would win them over on both the immigration issue and on justice for Scooter Libby. He could appoint Libby as the new Immigration Czar and give him sweeping new powers to ruthlessly enforce the rule of law. Working with Federal and local law enforcement, Libby's new agency could round up illegal immigrants that break our laws just by being here. At the same time his recent experience with the legal system would give him the compassion and discretion necessary to deal leniently with the small businessmen and homeowners who just needed workers for their restaurants and factories and day laborers to tend their gardens and lawns. And the annual salary for this new job should be $250,000, which would take care of Libby's fine. With this bold move, the President would be killing two halves of the baby with one stone, something even Solomon couldn't manage. It would send a powerful message that the President does not condone law-breaking unless it is absolutely necessary for national security. That's a clear message that I think conservatives could rally around.

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