Hey, don't know if you heard, but President Bush commuted Scooter Libby's prison sentence. Depending on your perspective, it was either a slap in the face of the American judicial system or the appropriate reaction to an extremely excessive punishment.
Democratic State Rep. Bob Hagan definitely fell into the former category. Outraged by Bush's decision, Hagan fired off a letter to the president sarcastically suggesting he should also release ex-Ohio Congressman Jim Traficant from prison. (Traficant was convicted of accepting bribes and rackteering in 2002 and was expelled from Congress and sent to jail.)
After all, Hagan says, the bribes Traficant accepted from local businessmen were trivial in comparison to Libby's actions, which included "endangering the life of a CIA agent, lying to Congress, lying to a grand jury, lying about the war."
To Hagan's surprise, his mock suggestion garnered some real support: Traficant supporters began contacting him, backing his call for a Traficant commutation.
Hagan said he also was surprised to get several supportive phone calls and e-mails from earnest Traficant backers in response to local media reports about his letter.
"It was hard to explain to them my true motives," he said.
Zach Patton -- Executive Editor. Zach has written about a range of topics, including social policy issues and urban planning and design. Originally from Tennessee, he joined GOVERNING as a staff writer in 2004. He received the 2011 Jesse H. Neal Award for Outstanding Journalism
E-mail: zpatton@governing.com 
Written and compiled by staff writers and editors, GOVERNING View is an on-the-ground, and sometimes behind-the-scenes, look at the topics we're covering in print and online. From notes on what's up in statehouses, county courthouses and city halls, to encounters with people, places and things, GOVERNING View is a window into the side of state and local government you don't always see.
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