Cheney criticizes Bush over Libby

The former vice president says he disagreed with his old boss' decision not to give a last-minute pardon to Scooter Libby.

Published January 22, 2009 5:00PM (EST)

With the Bush administration at an end, it's time for some private disagreements among its most senior members to become public. Former Vice President Dick Cheney started the ball rolling Wednesday, when he told the Weekly Standard's Stephen F. Hayes -- who's also his biographer -- that he disapproved of his old boss' decision not to give Scooter Libby a full pardon.

"Scooter Libby is one of the most capable and honorable men I've ever known," Cheney said of his former chief of staff. "He's been an outstanding public servant throughout his career. He was the victim of a serious miscarriage of justice, and I strongly believe that he deserved a presidential pardon. Obviously, I disagree with President Bush's decision."


By Alex Koppelman

Alex Koppelman is a staff writer for Salon.

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