Does the President have the power to commute a sentence?

[LastoftheMohicans]

Bush commuted Libby's sentence. The US Constitution states that the President can grant pardons or reprieves. I don't think commutation is included under this.

[foofighter20x]

Libby is already in jail right?

A reprieve is a cancellation or postponement of punishment.

A communtation is basically the cancellation of the remander of a sentence, a punishment.

I'm guessing then that W can do this.

[atilla]

re·prieve (rĭ-prēv')

To postpone or cancel the punishment of.

that would include a communtation

[LibertyCzar]

Bush commuted Libby's sentence. The US Constitution states that the President can grant pardons or reprieves. I don't think commutation is included under this.

I'm quite sure that an Executive Order would have been issued granting permission. Nothing like a troublesome rule or limitation stops Bush.

[UtahApocalypse]

The dictator can do whatever he wants. Seriously, the President can commute a sentence. The fact that he did this is still absurd.

[LibertyEagle]

I'm quite sure that an Executive Order would have been issued granting permission. Nothing like a troublesome rule or limitation stops Bush.

No kidding and Congress doesn't seem to do a damn thing about it.

[richard1984]

Besides, when was the last time Bush referenced the Constitution when he wanted to do something?

[LibertyEagle]

Of course, he leaves Compean and Ramos rotting in prison.

[LibertyEagle]

I know impeachments of the President are typically initiated by Congress. Are there any other ways?

[austin356]

RP said he did have technical authority, but he said what Bush did is not "what the founders intended"....... Sounds accurate.

[LibertyEagle]

We have surpassed the state of complete lunacy in our government. We need some impeachments, badly!

[LibertyCzar]

I know impeachments of the President are typically initiated by Congress. Are there any other ways?

Dennis Kucinich has Articles of Impeachment against Dick Cheney. That's a good place to start. I think Ron Paul should become a co-sponsor of it. Then we can move on to Bush himself.

Hey, does anyone know if a president or vice president removed from office will continue to receive a paycheck and secret service protection?

[Roxi]

question ?
has there ever been an impeachment of a VP and
if cheney WERE impeached who would take his place

[MidTN4Ron]

Agnew was forced to resign, but was he formally impeached?

(BTW, Impeachment does not guarantee ouster. Clinton was impeached, but not convicted.)

[atilla]

question ?
has there ever been an impeachment of a VP and
if cheney WERE impeached who would take his place

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twenty-fifth_Amendment_to_the_United_States_Constitution

Section 2. Whenever there is a vacancy in the office of the Vice President, the President shall nominate a Vice President who shall take office upon confirmation by a majority vote of both Houses of Congress.

[LibertyCzar]

question ?
has there ever been an impeachment of a VP and
if cheney WERE impeached who would take his place

I believe in the past, this position has been vacant for a while. With the current atmosphere in Congress, I doubt the Democrats would Confirm anyone Bush would want as the Vice President.

[Wyurm]

Or, he would probably just issue an executive order and make whoever he wants be vice-president. Heck, he'd probably just commute the impeachment.

[Shink]

I believe in the past, this position has been vacant for a while. With the current atmosphere in Congress, I doubt the Democrats would Confirm anyone Bush would want as the Vice President.

Oh gawd...I could see LIEBERMAN pushing his way into the VP spot. http://thinkprogress.org/2007/07/01/lieberman-domestic-spying

What a great guy!:mad:


Or, he would probably just issue an executive order and make whoever he wants be vice-president. Heck, he'd probably just commute the impeachment.

Well, he IS the decider, after all. I guess his impeachment proceedings are a done deal.

[MsDoodahs]

question: Is the power to commute someone's sentence what a President Ron Paul would use to release non violent drug offenders?

[buffalokid777]

Who thinks our Supreme Leader King George The 2nd can't commute sentences...

The supreme leader can do anything he wants and Congress can't do ANYTHING about it...

Just ask Cheney and Bill Kristol....They'll tell you all about what our supreme leader can do....

Long Live the King! Our Supreme Leader Herr Bush! (sarcasm)