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Eight
weeks into the Bush administration and Bill Clinton is still in
the news, still sticking in the craw of his political
adversaries. At issue is whether his pardon of Marc Rich was granted in
exchange for payment. George
Bush, must be frustrated with the attention that Clinton is
getting. But George
Bush could have put a stop to this weeks ago.
All he need do is exercise his presidential authority and
pardon Clinton for pardoning Rich.
It
is still not too late to end the media’s love affair with
Clinton and focus attention on himself and his ideas for the
country. Clinton’s soap opera-like antics have much better
production values for the media than some boring old national
budget. Clinton claims to have been “blind sided” by all the
attention this has received.
He may be basking in the attention all the same.
For those who crave attention, even negative attention
will suffice. But a
Bush pardon would steal all of his thunder.
Far from letting Clinton off the hook, it would be his
final humiliation (assuming he has any humility).
I can only see positives for Bush.
Only the most ardent Clinton haters dreaming to see him
proved guilty of anything could object. Dubya wants to put the Clinton era behind us.
If we are to take him at his word then this pardon is the
answer.
Bush
must have considered this course of action.
There must have been conversations with his closest
advisors in which they weighed the pros and cons.
Therefore, he must have made a conscious decision against
it. Let’s
consider possible reasons why.
1.
Bush
subconsciously is relieved at having the media’s attention
directed elsewhere. Perhaps he is intentionally hiding in the
shadow of the latest Clinton mini-scandal.
He does not yet seem too comfortable in the glare of the
public spotlight. Although this theory is my personal favorite I also think it
the least likely.
2.
He
is afraid it would be too controversial.
It could not be as controversial as Ford’s pardon of
Nixon. And in
retrospect, most agree that was the right thing to do for the
country. And that
is exactly what Bush could claim with this action, that it would
be best for the country. But
Bush, in his attempt to claim moral high ground, is so concerned
about being the un-Clinton that he may be playing it overly
conservative.
3.
Bush
does not want to upset the Republicans in Congress whose life
work has become get Clinton.
Clinton has become their white whale and they will track
him to the ends of the earth and destroy all who get in their
way. While this is
a possible scenario, Bush would be more inclined to listen to
his cabinet advisors. Come
to think of it, that group is not exactly a Clinton fan club.
Still, putting an end to pardon-gate would be the biggest
favor Bush could do for Congress.
The more protracted this becomes the worse they look.
And there is little they can do to hurt Clinton now.
They do realize he’s not president anymore, don’t
they?
Ok,
I know the argument. They
must pursue this because the American people have the right to
know and we must show that nobody is above the law.
These are convenient excuses.
Most American people I know already feel they have a
pretty good handle on the facts of the matter and no amount of
congressional hearings is going to increase anybody’s
understanding. Nor
does anyone think that this will solve the problem of economic
inequities in the justice system.
Rich people buying political favors.
Tell me it doesn’t happen in this country.
Bush should pardon Clinton and put an end to this
colossal waste of time and public resources.
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