High-profile K Street lobbyist Fred Thompson, who’s in the process of ramping up a run for the White House, today provided a glimpse of the respect with which his administration would display for the rule of law where political cronies are concerned.

I am very happy for Scooter Libby. I know that this is a great relief to him, his wife and children.

While for a long time I have urged a pardon for Scooter, I respect the president’s decision.

This will allow a good American, who has done a lot for his country, to resume his life.

Note, the only problem he has with Bush’s decision is that it didn’t go far enough – he lobbied (unsuccessfully, for once) for a full pardon.

Perhaps this half-measure is actually indicative of how weakened Bush really is politically these days, though. Back in 2003 this magnitude of high crime – overseeing the outing of a covert intelligence agent, an offense that borders on treason – would have likely earned Libby a Supreme Court nomination.

Mercifully a good and noble man can now get on with his life. Long live the King!