Cheney’s name missing from list of Libby supporters

Vice President Dick Cheney’s name is notably absent from a long list of supporters that have urged the judge in the case of his former chief of staff, I. Lewis “Scooter” Libby, to be lenient, according to letters released Tuesday by the presiding judge.

{mosads}Former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and outgoing World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz top the list of Libby supporters. Most of the letters ask Judge Reggie Walton to be lenient.

“I know Mr. Libby to be a patriot, a dedicated public servant, a strong family man and a tireless, honorable, selfless human being,” Rumsfeld said. “I have always felt that he is the type of person others can hold up to their children and grandchildren as an example of a truly honorable public servant.”

Writers also include former CIA Director James Woolsey, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton and former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger. In addition to the big names of politics, letters of support came from members of the vice president’s office and support staff, including the head flight attendant of Air Force Two and Cheney’s personal photographer.

In addition, Libby received the support of friends and many in the legal community.