Bush withdraws embarrassing pardon

You would think after eight years of looking back at the Bill Clinton "Pardongate" fiasco, that President Bush would get it right as his time in office winds down.

Nope.

President George W. Bush on Wednesday revoked a pardon he had granted only a day before — a step unheard of in recent memory — after learning in news reports of political contributions to Republicans by the man's father and other information.

Bush pardoned 19 people on Tuesday, including Isaac Robert Toussie of Brooklyn, N.Y., who had been convicted of making false statements to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and of mail fraud. On Wednesday, the White House issued an extraordinary statement saying the president was reversing his decision in Toussie's case.

White House press secretary Dana Perino said the new decision was "based on information that has subsequently come to light," including on the extent and nature of Toussie's prior criminal offenses. She also said that neither the White House counsel's office nor the president had been aware of a political contribution by Toussie's father that "might create an appearance of impropriety."

"Given that, this was the prudent thing to do," she said.

The new information came to the White House's attention from news reports, Perino said.

What makes the pardon also look bad is that Toussie was convicted on charges revolving around shady deals with HUD mortgages. In other words, poor people got screwed over on housing by a richer guy.

Where have I heard this story before?

What's not clear is if Bush can actually withdraw a pardon. I'm sure Toussie's lawyer will aggressively pursue legal recourse, which might include suing Bush for ruining his Christmas.

Technorati tags: politics Republican Bush