A pardon may be coming later. For now, the commutation is kinda like a signing statement on the verdict...he isn't contradicting the jury, just the judge. He's letting the guilty verdict stand, Scooter is still a conviced felon (which means losing his law license, among other fallout). He's also letting the quarter million dollar fine stand. He's just editing out the prison time.
So, basically, he's saying, "The jury was right, but Scooter got Paris Hilton'ed by the judge!"
Give it a year or so for people to forget, and you can expect a pardon to follow, on the grounds that Scooter has "shown appropriate remorse" or some such horsehockey. It'll definitely be one of his leaving-office deals.
BTW, most Presidential pardons come after time has been served. The idea is that they help wipe a slate clean after the person has paid their debt to society. They're not generally supposed to be a "get off scot-free" card.
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Date: 2007-07-02 11:03 pm (UTC)So, basically, he's saying, "The jury was right, but Scooter got Paris Hilton'ed by the judge!"
Give it a year or so for people to forget, and you can expect a pardon to follow, on the grounds that Scooter has "shown appropriate remorse" or some such horsehockey. It'll definitely be one of his leaving-office deals.
BTW, most Presidential pardons come after time has been served. The idea is that they help wipe a slate clean after the person has paid their debt to society. They're not generally supposed to be a "get off scot-free" card.