Reply #2: Mitt Romney weighs in .... [View All]

Romney: Libby Case Needs Careful Review

By DEANNA BELLANDI Friday, June 15, 2007

CHICAGO - Republican president candidate Mitt Romney, who denied every pardon or commutation during his term as Massachusetts governor, said Thursday a pardon for former White House aide I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby deserves a close examination.

"I took a careful review during my term as governor of the people that were brought forward. That doesn't mean I pardoned them, but I took a careful review. I think this deserves a very careful review," Romney told The Associated Press in a brief interview. ....

Democratic National Committee spokesman Damien LaVera contends Romney is dodging a fundamental question. "Defending Scooter Libby may be a good applause line for right wing Republicans, but the American people are looking for a strong and decisive leader who can say one way or another whether he would pardon a man who obstructed a national security investigation in a time of war," LaVera said.

On the campaign trail, Romney often cites his record as governor in denying pardons or commutations. During his four years in office, 100 requests for commutations and 172 requests for pardons were filed in the state. All were denied. Romney has said he refused pardons because he didn't want to overturn a jury.


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http://www.casperstartribune.net/articles/2007/06/15/ap/politics/d8potlp80.txt