Oh, Pardon Me

Ahem.

Libby requests a new trial. No one is surprised.

The request for a new trial is the first move in Libby's uncertain future. He faces up to 25 years in prison when he is sentenced June 5, but his federal sentencing guidelines are much lower. His lawyers promised to ask for a new trial and said they'll ask that Libby remain free while any appeals are fought.

But of course.

Meanwhile, I am amused by this:

Press secretary Tony Snow brushed off questions about whether Bush would entertain a pardon for Libby, saying the case remains under legal review. Snow also said Cheney's stature within the administration has not changed or waned as a result of the verdict.

"All of this conversation, speculation about a pardon, I know, makes for interesting speculation, but it's just that," Snow said. "Right now, Scooter Libby and his attorneys have made clear that they're going to try to get a retrial and if they don't get that, they're going to get an appeal."

Snow said Bush is not necessarily stingy, but "careful" about giving out pardons. "These are not things to be treated blithely," Snow said, stressing that Bush takes the pardon process very seriously. "He wants to make sure that anybody who receives one — that it's warranted, but I would caution against any speculation in this case," Snow said.

Libby had better get started making that moonshine.