Next Up -- TreasonGate 2: The Pardon

Via Yahoo News:

Former White House aide I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby was sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison Tuesday for lying and obstructing the CIA leak investigation.

Libby, the former chief of staff to Vice President Dick Cheney, stood calmly before a packed courtroom as a federal judge said the evidence overwhelmingly proved his guilt.

"People who occupy these types of positions, where they have the welfare and security of nation in their hands, have a special obligation to not do anything that might create a problem," U.S. District Judge Reggie B. Walton said.

Walton did not set a date for Libby to report to prison. Though he saw no reason to let Libby remain free pending appeal, Walton said he would accept written arguments on the issue and rule later.

The best thing that can happen would be Judge Walton ordering Libby to start serving his prison term as soon as possible. That would mean that Bush would have to pardon him sooner than later, and I think he might pay a political price for that (i.e., his approval rating will drop from 33% to 29%). I don't expect that Scooter will ever see the inside of a prison cell.