How popular would a push to change presidential pardon powers be right now?

[Marr]

It seems to me that, if we want to prevent the sort of lawlessness we've seen in the Executive Branch under the Bush Administration, one of the first things that needs to be done is to severely limit the President's ability to pardon his own criminals. I expect that guys like Scooter Libby and Alberto Gonzalez would be a hell of alot more forthcoming in their testimony if they knew for a fact that no "get out of jail free card" would be coming their way when their boss left office. Who knows- they might even be less willing to commit crimes in the first place.

[hughee99]

1. Only by constitutional amendment, as far as I know. n/t

[meldroc]

4. I'd be up for an amendment.

Maybe one that forbids the President from pardoning someone if there is a conflict of interest, or if the President benefits from the crime committed.

[Zensea]

2. Doesn't anybody read the Constitution anymore?

Presidential pardon power is spelled out in the Constitution.
It would have to be amended.

This question (whether I am being fair about it or not) seems to me right along the lines of the posts that talk about trying to recall United States Senators (such as Lieberman)-- something that would also require an amendment to the Constitution.

I can't help but get discouraged when I see these kind of questions raised because it makes me think that people's education regarding the Constitution is woefully inadequate. This is the kind of stuff I learned in my 11th grade Civics class, so to see people asking these sorts of things at a supposedly informed place such as Democratic Underground is discouraging.

[Marr]

3. Of course it would take an ammendment. I'm talking politically.

What I mean to say is, do you suppose it's feasible in the current political atmosphere, and how hard would it be for Republican politicians to fight such a drive at this time.

*edited title to be more clear*.

[Ghost in the Machine]

9. What do you find so discouraging about people asking questions?

You said:
"I can't help but get discouraged when I see these kind of questions raised because it makes me think that people's education regarding the Constitution is woefully inadequate. This is the kind of stuff I learned in my 11th grade Civics class, so to see people asking these sorts of things at a supposedly informed place such as Democratic Underground is discouraging."

Speaking just for myself, I didn't give a damn about Civics, or just about any other classes, when I was in 11th grade. Drag racing, getting laid, partying... yeah, those were the hot topics for me and most of the people I knew. Politics? That's for the eggheads in Washington to worry about. I'd bet there were a million more just like me. I guess we are fortunate to have people like you, who did pay attention back then

I've just really starting becoming politically aware and active since Stolen Election 2004. The 2000 election woke me up a little bit, just because I never believed the Chimp would win. My first reaction to 9/11 was "what the hell has Bush gone and done now?"

DU is one of the finest places I've found to get a quick, yet thorough, political education. It is also, by far, the best place to find truth and facts. You can depend on Du'ers to debunk the bullshit, find the truth and set you straight. I stand in awe of the brain power we have here in the diversity of our fellow DU'ers, who range from Professors, teachers, cops, nurses, veterinarians, journalists, reporters, military, right down to the business owners, construction workers, truck drivers, cashiers, cooks, day care providers, students, disabled, retired and unemployed.

Never forget: Knowledge is Power... and every time you take the time to educate someone, even just a little bit, you empower them. So don't be discouraged, but instead feel proud that you have the knowledge to educate and empower another human being.
:hi:

Ghost

[AndyTiedye]

5. When They Pardon Themselves/Each Other SEND THEM TO THE HAGUE

The International Criminal Court exists for people like them.


The Peace Palace. The Hague. Netherlands. Home of the International Criminal Court:



The U.N. prison at the Peace Palace.


Home of convicted war criminals.

[loudsue]

6. Thank you Marr! I've been asking this question for quite a while!

It's a complete conflict of interest, and it endangers the rule of law in this country if the president can pardon any member of his staff or cabinet, or anyone acting under the direction of his/her administration. It leaves the fox guarding the hen house, and it's WRONG WRONG WRONG.

We need congress to act on this.

:kick::kick::kick:

[Marr]

7. That's what I was thinking- and to bring this subject up now would be great, since

there are presidential pardons looming in our not so distant future, and anyone can see it.

I'd love to see Republican politicians have to stand up and defend this president's right to pardon the people who've committed crimes for the GOP. Make them start paying a political price for it BEFORE he actually does it.

[loudsue]

8. Exactly! How in the hell could the repukes defend NOT doing this?

The Democrats, if they were smart, could have a political HAY DAY with this when the election really heats up. That would give them even more opportunity to list, publicly, all the scandals that "bushies" are involved in. They could hammer home on teevee how "THIS COULD MEAN THAT HE COULD PARDON ABRAMOFF, WHO BILKED MILLIONS OF YOUR TAX DOLLARS", or "he could pardon Scooter Libby, who lied in an investigation about the treasonous act of outing a CIA agent", or "he could pardon Duke Cunningham, or Mark Foley"... and just keep a lot of those scandals right in the faces of the republican party....

that same republican party whose entire campaign is going to be a seance of resurrecting ronald reagan.

:kick::kick::kick: