"The applications (for Pardongate kingpins Marc Rich and Pincus Green) were reviewed and advocated not only by my former White House counsel Jack Quinn," wrote the ex-president, "but also by three distinguished Republican attorneys: Leonard Garment, a former Nixon White House official, William Bradford Reynolds, a former high-ranking official in the Reagan Justice Department; and Lewis Libby, now Vice President Cheney's chief of staff...." As soon as Clinton's screed hit the newsstands, the Bush White House denied that the Republican lawyers he cited had anything to do with the Rich-Green pardons.
"Fox News Sunday" was among the first to note the Clinton falsehood in the midst of its roundtable debate on the scandal:
"Now one of the other things (Clinton) argues is that a number of Republican attorneys have been involved in this case," observed host Tony Snow.
"He mentions Len Garment, William Bradford Reynolds and also Dick Cheney's chief of staff, 'Scooter' Libby. And the fact is that the White House has already said, 'No, no, no. You've got that completely wrong.'"
"Juliana Glover Weiss has called and said that in fact, Mr. Libby ceased his representation last year and never was involved in the pardon and the other gentlemen have said the same."
. """Libby also said he "quite possibly" would have considered applying for a pardon for Rich had Rich asked him to do so."""
That's a real stellar guy you're sticking up for - that Libby. What a class act!