FL Congressman Seeks Censure of President Bush Over Libby

Has it really come to this? Have our so-called leaders in Washington become such petty, bickering bitties that Congressman Robert Wexler of Florida has decided to seek a censure of President Bush for exercising a Constitionally defined power?

It appears so:

Congressman Wexler, a senior member of the House Judiciary Committee, said today that "this presidential intervention is an unconscionable abuse of authority by George W. Bush, and Congress must step forward and express the disgust that Americans rightfully feel toward this contemptible decision. Scooter Libby was found guilty of perjury and obstruction of justice by a jury and was appropriately sentenced by a judge President Bush himself appointed. This deceitful chain of events began with the Administration’s falsifying of intelligence on Iraqi nuclear capabilities. It is clear that the perjury of Mr. Libby in this case effectively protected President Bush, Vice President Cheney, and other Administration officials from further scrutiny regarding the clear political retaliation against former Ambassador Joseph Wilson and his wife, Valerie Plame Wilson, a covert CIA agent. This commutation is nothing short of political quid pro quo, and Congress must go on record in strong opposition."

Admitting the fact that the President's actions were politically not the brightest move, from a legal and Constitutional standpoint, the President acted within the bounds of his authority. It was not an abuse of authority and if it is a quid pro quo, it is not exactly like Scooter Libby is walking away clean, he is still a convicted felon who is now $250,000 lighter in his bank account.

The only thing in Wahsington that is truly bipartisan theses days is pettiness. Everytime I think that the pettiness can get no worse, some Congressman finds a way to disabuse me of that position. Congressman Wexler takes the cake as the chump of the week.