Obama staying out of ex-Gov. Ryan commutation debate

As Illinois' senior Democratic senator is lobbying for former Gov. George Ryan to be freed from prison, President-elect Barack Obama is choosing to stay out of the politically-sensitive issue.

Obama, a Chicago Democrat and formerly Illinois' junior senator, doesn't feel it is "appropriate" to weigh in on the issue, his spokesman said Wednesday.

"As the incoming President, he doesn't feel it appropriate to involve himself in pardon and commutation decisions at this time," said spokesman Ben LaBolt.

The statement provided no further explanation of Obama's reasoning.

Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin sent a letter to President George W. Bush Monday asking him to commute Ryan's 6-1/2-year prison sentence. Ryan has served 13 months since he was convicted in 2006 after a long-delayed and costly federal trial.

Durbin said he was moved to argue for the 74-year-old's freedom by Ryan's wife, who he said is in "frail health."

Durbin admitted his office has been flooded with "overwhelmingly negative" letters and calls from voters about his decision.

Ryan was convicted on several felony counts for steering lucrative taxpayer-funded business to friends who lavished him and his family with cash and free vacations during his years as governor and secretary of state.

During his term as secretary of state, the office was home to a pervasive corrupt operation to sell trucker licenses for bribes, allowing unqualified drivers on the road to endanger other motorists.

Ryan sought to squash internal investigations into the corruption.

Durbin spokeswoman Christina Angarola said calls about his move continue to come into his office and most are negative. She declined to release information on the number of calls or letters.

Durbin was elected to a third term on Nov. 4. He won't be on the ballot again until 2014. The Springfield Democrat didn't indicate he supported a Ryan commutation while he was campaigning.

Meanwhile, the White House has acknowledged receiving the letter from Durbin, but is not giving any indication as to whether Bush will grant Ryan a commutation or pardon.

White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said Wednesday that Bush may exercise his pardon and commutation powers, but added, "I couldn't tell you how many and I certainly couldn't tell you who."

Under the Constitution, presidents have broad authority to pardon those convicted of a crime or commute the sentence of anyone in prison. They generally wait until their final days in office to exercise the power.

<div class="infoBox"> <h1>More Coverage</h1> <div class="infoBoxContent"> <div class="infoArea"> <h2>Stories</h2> <ul class="links"> <li><a href="/story/?id=255186">Kirk splits from Durbin, opposes Ryan clemency bid <span class="date">[12/2/08]</span></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=254872">Durbin to Bush: Let ex-Gov. George Ryan go home <span class="date">[12/01/08]</span></a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div>