As I understand it, Judge Walton is supposed to rule on 6/14 on Libby's motion to stay out on bail during his appeal. Initial implications are that Walton is unlikely to grant this motion. Let's assume that he doesn't. What happens next?
Scooter going to the Big House will generate utter apoplexy on the right. Rush will have conniptions about the very idea of Scooter spending the next 30 months eating his meals across the table from Abramoff. Cheney will stop by the Oval Office for a friendly visit, and he'll bring his favorite hunting rifle along w/ him for a little persuasion.
Unless W wants to lose most of the 28% he has left, he'll have a hard time saying no. Plus, does he really trust Libby to continue to observe the code of omerta behind bars? Once Scooter dons a jumpsuit, all bets may be off.
If Libby's bail is revoked, and if W bows to the pressure, the Dems will then face their true acid test. Pardoning Libby would close the loop on the Plame affair. It would also offer definitive proof of this WH's utter and brazen disregard for the system of checks and balances.
I respect Conyers and Nadler writing a letter to Cheney telling him to recuse himself on the Libby pardon. I respect Schumer and Reid bringing the no confidence vote to the floor. At the end of the day, however, I don't think that those efforts will accomplish much.
Kucinich takes his hits here, and some of them are warranted. I note, however, that he's the only one to actually file impeachment articles against any member of this thoroughly corrupt executive branch. He understands that this WH has a Stalinist view of power, and he's trying to speak to them in their language.
I hope to hell that, if Libby does get pardoned, Kucinich will suddenly have a slew of co-sponsors.