If Bill Clinton can ask the Singapore government not to cane an American for vandalism

[Nye Bevan]

surely President Obama could ask the Georgia Parole Board to reconsider executing someone who could well be innocent?

[RZM]

1. I'm sure he could

But Bill Clinton had nothing to lose politically by doing that. Obama does.

Not saying that means he shouldn't, but the stakes are higher here.

Besides, he learned his lesson on 'meddling' when he (clumsily) waded into the Skip Gates affair. After that, there's no way he's going to touch a scandal unless he absolutely has to.

[ClarkUSA]

2. Arkansas Gov. Clinton ordered the execution of a retarded man to look "tough on crime".

In answer to your question, it's not a federal crime so Pres. Obama has no legal jurisdiction. Read more about the law here:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=433&topic_id=778009&mesg_id=778215

[Nye Bevan]

10. No legal jurisdiction, just bully pulpit.

I like to think that I would at least ask to stop the execution if I were President.

And point taken about Clinton executing that mentally retarded guy during his campaign to burnish his tough-on-crime credentials. The death penalty is an ugly thing all around.

[ClarkUSA]

15. Such an action could make things worse since it would unnecessarily politicize -

or at least give the appearance of politicization - this situation. I'm not interested in Pres. Obama "going on the record" in cases like this. Any President is irrelevant to the process in this instance.

BTW, his defense is appealing to the SCOTUS, according to Al Sharpton.

[TwilightGardener]

3. International incident vs. state law.

[MADem]

4. He could, and they could tell him to butt the fuck out of the business of a US state.

It wouldn't help.

They'd probably be more motivated to kill the guy, just to spite Obama for asking.

[joeybee12]

5. The only thing he can do is pardon Troy Davis...

then they'd have to let him go.

[Nye Bevan]

6. Legally, I don't think he can, as it is an (alleged) state crime.

However, he could use his bully pulpit. I would like to think that the Board of Paroles could use Obama's request as a cover-your-ass excuse; they could claim that they issued the commutation out of respect for President Obama, while still pretending that they believe the guy to be guilty.

[Puregonzo1188]

7. Can he? I've seen mixed answers on DU as to whether or not the President can Pardon someone if

they're convicted of a crime at a state level, not a federal. But I could be wrong.

[joeybee12]

13. I believe the pardon power is not restricted in any manner...

He can do it.

[polmaven]

14. The pardon power for FEDERAL

crimes is not restricted, but he has absolutely no legal power to do anything about a state matter.

[MineralMan]

8. He could do that. Georgia would tell him to take a hike.

Then, when the man was executed anyhow, people would blame the President.

For all I know, he has already communicated with Georgia officials. It wouldn't be done as a public thing, anyhow.

This is on Georgia. It is their execution. Put the blame where it belongs.

[AngryAmish]

9. Remember what a big deal that was?

Gave the Sandman a pretty good gimmick, tho.

[Nye Bevan]

11. Yeah, it was huge. Just imagine if DU had been around back then.

Some of the threads would have been quite contentious, I imagine.

[RZM]

12. When Fay was released, he went to live with his father

Who at the time lived 15 minutes from where I did. When the news of his release hit somebody spray painted 'Welcome Back Michael Fay' on a wall there. :)

[William769]

16. States rights.

[ClarkUSA]

17. Amy Goodman has reported from outside the prison that the stay of execution has been granted.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x5001701