Adviser: Bush Made Libby Decision To Avoid "Fracture" With Cheney

Friends in High Places
Inside Bush's decision to give Scooter Libby a pass.

Newsweek Michael Isikoff July 9, 2007 08:06 AM
The president was conflicted. He hated the idea that a loyal aide would serve time. Hanging over his deliberations was Cheney, who had said he was "very disappointed" with the jury's verdict. Cheney did not directly weigh in with Fielding, but nobody involved had any doubt where he stood. "I'm not sure Bush had a choice," says one of the advisers. "If he didn't act, it would have caused a fracture with the vice president." (White House officials and Cheney...