[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2007, Book II)]
[July 3, 2007]
[Pages 909-910]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Remarks Following a Visit With Wounded Troops at Walter Reed Army 
Medical Center and an Exchange With Reporters
July 3, 2007

    The President. Thank you very much. General, thank you very much for your hospitality. It's a true 
honor to come to Walter Reed to be able to see the docs and nurses, the 
physical therapists who are working with our wounded soldiers. The care 
here is remarkable. There has been some bureaucratic redtape issues in 
the past that the military is working hard to cure. But when it comes 
time to healing broken bodies, this is a fabulous place.
    I am constantly amazed at the character and courage of those who 
wear our uniform. And that's no more vividly displayed than here in this 
place of healing. I want to thank our soldiers, sailors, and marines,

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airmen, coastguards men and women for their service to the country. I 
thank their families. As we head into the Fourth of July, we're a 
fortunate nation to have people who are willing to volunteer in the face 
of danger to help secure this country in the long run.
    I'll be glad to answer two questions from you.

I. Lewis ``Scooter'' Libby

    Q. Mr. President, are you willing to rule out that you will 
eventually pardon Scooter Libby?
    The President. I--first of all, I had to make a very difficult 
decision. I weighed this decision carefully. I thought that the jury 
verdict should stand. I felt the punishment was severe, and so I made a 
decision that would commute his sentence but leave in place a serious 
fine, a--and probation. As to the future, I'm--rule nothing in, and 
nothing out.
    Q. Mr. President, Federal sentencing guidelines call for jail time 
in these kinds of cases of perjury and obstruction of justice. Why do 
you feel otherwise, and are you worried that this decision sends a 
signal that it--you won't go to jail if you lie to the FBI?
    The President. I took this decision very seriously on Mr. Libby. I 
considered his background, his service to the country, as well as the 
jury verdict. I felt like the jury verdict ought to stand, and I felt 
like some of the punishments that the judge 
determined were adequate should stand. But I felt like the 30-month 
sentencing was severe. I made a judgment, a considered judgment that I 
believe is the right decision to make in this case, and I stand by it.
    Thank you all very much.

Note: The President spoke at 12:08 p.m. In his remarks, he referred to 
Maj. Gen. Eric B. Schoomaker, USA, commanding general, North Atlantic 
Regional Medical Command and Walter Reed Army Medical Center.