PARDON ME

Devastating piece by Kurt Eichenwald and Michael Moss in the New York Times today, detailing exactly how sleazy Clinton was in his final days. It turns out that after he and Madame Rodham pardoned the FALN terrorists for New York votes, there was a sudden crush of slimeballs from all over the country seeking politically opportune pardons. Money was offered; lists were kept secret; the Justice Department’s own staff were completely blindsided by a new, unvetted White House list released just hours before the end of Clinton’s presidency. Many readers have expressed skepticism that this can hurt Senator Clinton in the future, given the craven support she receives from the Democratic Party establishment, whatever her misdemeanors. But the more details come out, the cheesier she looks. One hopeful sign is what just happened to Tony Blair’s right-hand man, Peter Mandelson, in Britain. He was busted a couple of years ago for taking a huge loan to buy a house (and fibbing about it). All was forgiven soon enough, and he came back to be Northern Ireland secretary. But then he goes and makes a call to expedite a passport application for a wealthy Indian businessman, denies it, and gets caught in another whopper. No-one can deny his talents or his connections, but he’s toast now. And a good friend of the Clintons, by the way. Hope springs eternal.