Thousands seek presidential pardons

It’s about that time of the year … for presidential pardons. Applications are running at all time highs, which means President Bush will be busy considering pardons through his final days in office.

On the docket, some famous federal convicts, like former Olympic sprinter Marion Jones, former California Congressman, Randy "Duke" Cunningham, and John Walker Lindh, the so-called American Taliban fighter.

But they may not want to get their hopes up too high — President Bush has handed out very few pardons in his nearly eight years in office, compared to his father, George H. Bush, and Bill Clinton.

"The Takeaway’s" Adaora Udoji and John Hockenbery talk to Margaret Colgate Love, clemency lawyer and former Pardon Attorney of the United States.

Other famous folks seeking pardons:

– Tom Dely, former Speaker of the House — indicted for fundraising violations

– I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby — former Chief of Staff for Vice President Dick Cheney — Perjury, obstruction of justice related to leak of covert CIA officer Valerie Plame’s identity

– Michael Milken — former bond trader — insider trading, fraud

– Pete Rose — former professional baseball player — tax evasion

– Martha Stewart — homemaking magnate — conspiracy related to insider trading

"The Takeaway" is PRI’s new national morning news program, delivering the news and analysis you need to catch up, start your day, and prepare for what’s ahead. The show is a co-production of WNYC and PRI, in editorial collaboration with the BBC, The New York Times Radio, and WGBH.

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