I Beg Your Pardon...

...but this ain't no pardon. At least Libby's conviction will stand for the next few minutes.

Bush's statement made no mention of the term "pardon," and he made clear that he was not willing to wipe away all penalties for Libby.

The president noted Libby supporters' argument that the punishment did not fit the crime for a "first-time offender with years of exceptional public service."

Ironically, Bush then uttered the following words that will eventually bite him in the ass:

... if a person does not tell the truth, particularly if he serves in government and holds the public trust, he must be held accountable."