# Obama may pardon Sandi Jackson before he leaves office **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 12, 2013, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-may-pardon-sandi-jackson-before-he-leaves-office/668623 "2013-09-12T00:55:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2013, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-may-pardon-sandi-jackson-before-he-leaves-office/668623/1 "2013-09-12T00:55:03Z")
[http://www.suntimes.com/22402491-452/obama-could-pardon-ald-sandi-jackson-before-leaving-office.html](http://www.suntimes.com/22402491-452/obama-could-pardon-ald-sandi-jackson-before-leaving-office.html) > [@Michael Sneed](#): > > The hottest rumor to come down the political pike: Speculation President Barack Obama may pardon former Ald. Sandi Jackson before he leaves office in January 2017. > > ◆ Fact: Sandi’s hubby, former U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., is scheduled to begin serving 30 months in federal prison around Nov. 1 for corruption. > > ◆ Fact: Sandi is scheduled to report to prison for one year on a tax evasion conviction no more than 30 days after the completion of her husband’s sentence. > > Interesting timing. However, if the president waited until the last minute to pardon her, she would have already served half of her time. Of course, Sneed is a gossip columnist, this is a slow news time of year, Syria’s grown all diplomatic and boring and shit, and she’s reporting this as a rumor, but a cow-orker reported it as hard news (“Where’d ya hear it?” “Fox.” " :rolleyes: "), but it seems most popular in the Black Press (Chicago _Defender_, et al), all leading back to the _Sun-Times_. What’s your take on it? 1. It’s been close to 100F lately. It’s the fevered dream of a sunstruck Jackson supporter during a Silly Season extended by Global Warming. 2. It’s a trial balloon, and Obama has 3-1/2 years to make it happen or not, depending. 3. It’s an idiotic idea, but Obama’s dumb enough to show his hand way early. 4. Something else. I’m leaning towards #1. Regarding #3, I hope we have a president who plays poker better than that. That’s more like what you’d get out of a craps shooter like McCain. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2013, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-may-pardon-sandi-jackson-before-he-leaves-office/668623/2 "2013-09-12T01:13:24Z")
He better hurry or she’ll already be out of prison. She only got a year long sentence. I wouldn’t object to a pardon after she’s released. She was punished and thats what matters. A pardon just wipes her record clean. > **[Sandi Jackson](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandi_Jackson)** > > Sandra Lee Jackson (née Stevens; born September 14, 1963) is an American politician. She was elected to the Chicago City Council as an alderman of the 7th ward of the City of Chicago in the 2007 municipal elections held on February 27, 2007. She succeeded Darcel A. Beavers who had been appointed by Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley after the 2006 November elections to succeed her father William Beavers, Jackson's rival, as alderman of the 7th Ward. Jackson resigned from Chicago City Council, effe > [@](#): > > On February 20, 2013, Jackson plead guilty to one count of filing false tax returns. On August 14th, 2013, she was sentenced to one year in prison for filing false income tax returns. > > She is the wife of former U.S. Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr. and daughter-in-law of Jesse Jackson. ---
**Author:** ![handsomeharry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9c0ed/32.png) [@handsomeharry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handsomeharry)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2013, 11:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-may-pardon-sandi-jackson-before-he-leaves-office/668623/3 "2013-09-12T11:04:07Z")
Of course he’ll pardon her. It will be before she goes to jail, and on ‘compassionate grounds’. She’s JJ’s daughter-in-law, and Obama owes too much to him. Wouldn’t be surprised if Jr. gets out for similar reasons. Obama, like Clinton (or Republican presidents for that matter-I can only recall Clinton at this moment) can do anything that he wants, in re Presidential pardons. There would be a loud outcry from opposite party, disappointment from the party faithful who want to be in the running for the next Presidential election, and it would be forgotten. A President cannot be impeached for doing something that the Constitution explicitly says that he can do, so, it would be a wash. He has the green light, so, why not do it? ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Fun\_Ball](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_fun_ball/32/17664_2.png) [@Happy\_Fun\_Ball](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Fun_Ball)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2013, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-may-pardon-sandi-jackson-before-he-leaves-office/668623/4 "2013-09-12T12:33:11Z")
> [@handsomeharry](#): > > Of course he’ll pardon her. It will be before she goes to jail, and on ‘compassionate grounds’. She’s JJ’s daughter-in-law, and Obama owes too much to him. Wouldn’t be surprised if Jr. gets out for similar reasons. Obama, like Clinton (or Republican presidents for that matter-I can only recall Clinton at this moment) can do anything that he wants, in re Presidential pardons. There would be a loud outcry from opposite party, disappointment from the party faithful who want to be in the running for the next Presidential election, and it would be forgotten. A President cannot be impeached for doing something that the Constitution explicitly says that he can do, so, it would be a wash. He has the green light, so, why not do it? Cool story bro, but i remain skeptical. Obama has not been very pardon happy and he has been relativly free of cronyism. I guess we’ll see. ---
**Author:** ![handsomeharry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9c0ed/32.png) [@handsomeharry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handsomeharry)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2013, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-may-pardon-sandi-jackson-before-he-leaves-office/668623/5 "2013-09-12T19:19:59Z")
> [@L. G. Butts](#): > > Cool story bro, but i remain skeptical. Obama has not been very pardon happy and he has been relativly free of cronyism. I guess we’ll see. I don’t think Clinton was too pardon happy either, was he? At least until 01/20/2001, at 11:55 am? (Or whenever he left office.) ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2013, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-may-pardon-sandi-jackson-before-he-leaves-office/668623/6 "2013-09-12T19:23:20Z")
I’d like to see a lot more pardons by every President. It’s part of the design of the system, a “safety-valve.” Not subverting “justice,” but part of it. Why not start with all marijuana growers, just for fun? The republic would not collapse and we’d save a ton of money. ---
**Author:** ![yellowjacketcoder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/4bbf92/32.png) [@yellowjacketcoder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yellowjacketcoder)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2013, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-may-pardon-sandi-jackson-before-he-leaves-office/668623/7 "2013-09-12T19:25:26Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > I’d like to see a lot more pardons by every President. It’s part of the design of the system, a “safety-valve.” Not subverting “justice,” but part of it. Why not start with all marijuana growers, just for fun? The republic would not collapse and we’d save a ton of money. I would love that, but let’s be honest, you’re talking insta-impeachment territory here. ---
**Author:** ![YogSothoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8edcca/32.png) [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2013, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-may-pardon-sandi-jackson-before-he-leaves-office/668623/8 "2013-09-12T20:34:23Z")
Its so so so stupid to suggest this early that Obama would even consider giving people extra ammo to attack him with. Its completely made up ---
**Author:** ![fjs1fs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/9e8a1a/32.png) [@fjs1fs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fjs1fs)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2013, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-may-pardon-sandi-jackson-before-he-leaves-office/668623/9 "2013-09-13T17:06:27Z")
Why does this stupid right to pardon criminals even exist? WTF? ---
**Author:** ![yellowjacketcoder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/4bbf92/32.png) [@yellowjacketcoder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yellowjacketcoder)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2013, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-may-pardon-sandi-jackson-before-he-leaves-office/668623/10 "2013-09-13T17:43:38Z")
> [@fjs1fs](#): > > Why does this stupid right to pardon criminals even exist? WTF? To prevent travesties of Justice. It’s supposed to be a last-ditch for when someone has been wrongly convicted but has no legal appeals. Of course, that isn’t the only thing it’s used for, but it’s probably better to have that ability with some misuse than not have the ability with no misuse. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2013, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-may-pardon-sandi-jackson-before-he-leaves-office/668623/11 "2013-09-13T18:23:53Z")
> [@yellowjacketcoder](#): > > I would love that, but let’s be honest, you’re talking insta-impeachment territory here. That’s just total bullshit. The president’s right to pardon people for federal criminal convictions is essentially unlimited, and an impeachmen vote wouldn’t even be close. ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2013, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-may-pardon-sandi-jackson-before-he-leaves-office/668623/12 "2013-09-13T18:46:16Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > That’s just total bullshit. The president’s right to pardon people for federal criminal convictions is essentially unlimited, and an impeachmen vote wouldn’t even be close. Depends how many people you piss off. Congress can impeach and convict for wearing an ugly tie if they want. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2013, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-may-pardon-sandi-jackson-before-he-leaves-office/668623/13 "2013-09-13T18:48:34Z")
50 bucks say that if he pardons her he won’t be impeached for it. Wanna take the bet? ---
**Author:** ![yellowjacketcoder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/4bbf92/32.png) [@yellowjacketcoder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yellowjacketcoder)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2013, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-may-pardon-sandi-jackson-before-he-leaves-office/668623/14 "2013-09-13T19:23:36Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > I’d like to see a lot more pardons by every President. It’s part of the design of the system, a “safety-valve.” Not subverting “justice,” but part of it. Why not start with all marijuana growers, just for fun? The republic would not collapse and we’d save a ton of money. > [@yellowjacketcoder](#): > > I would love that, but let’s be honest, you’re talking insta-impeachment territory here. > [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > That’s just total bullshit. The president’s right to pardon people for federal criminal convictions is essentially unlimited, and an impeachmen vote wouldn’t even be close. > [@friedo](#): > > Depends how many people you piss off. Congress can impeach and convict for wearing an ugly tie if they want. > [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > 50 bucks say that if he pardons her he won’t be impeached for it. Wanna take the bet? Given that the original was “Pardons all marijuana growers, gets impeached”, taking a bet over a particular woman, who is not a marijuana grower, is quite the non sequitor. But as **friedo** points out, Congress can impeach for anything, and I have a strong suspicion that a blanket pardon like that would invite the impeachment proceedings toot suite ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2013, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-may-pardon-sandi-jackson-before-he-leaves-office/668623/15 "2013-09-13T19:28:11Z")
> [@yellowjacketcoder](#): > > Given that the original was “Pardons all marijuana growers, gets impeached”, taking a bet over a particular woman, who is not a marijuana grower, is quite the non sequitor. What, you don’t have confidence in your opinions? 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2013, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-may-pardon-sandi-jackson-before-he-leaves-office/668623/16 "2013-09-13T19:36:58Z")
> [@yellowjacketcoder](#): > > To prevent travesties of Justice. Or in some cases, to create them. ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2013, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-may-pardon-sandi-jackson-before-he-leaves-office/668623/17 "2013-09-13T19:37:36Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > 50 bucks say that if he pardons her he won’t be impeached for it. Wanna take the bet? Nobody said Obama would be impeached for pardoning Sandi Jackson. ---
**Author:** ![yellowjacketcoder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/4bbf92/32.png) [@yellowjacketcoder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yellowjacketcoder)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2013, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-may-pardon-sandi-jackson-before-he-leaves-office/668623/18 "2013-09-13T20:07:22Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > Or in some cases, to create them. If you quote the rest of that post, you’ll see I address that. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2013, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-may-pardon-sandi-jackson-before-he-leaves-office/668623/19 "2013-09-13T20:58:59Z")
> [@Michael Sneed](#): > > The hottest rumor to come down the political pike: Speculation President Barack Obama may pardon former Ald. Sandi Jackson before he leaves office in January 2017. “may” He also may become a professional lawn dart player when he leaves office. Obama may declare basketball our national sport. He might dress up as a clown and spend hours krumping in his bedroom. [Obama may carry a bag containing a pork pie, or a large turnip](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6iAecAtJVdE). ---
**Author:** ![handsomeharry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9c0ed/32.png) [@handsomeharry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handsomeharry)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2013, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-may-pardon-sandi-jackson-before-he-leaves-office/668623/20 "2013-09-14T05:36:28Z")
> [@YogSosoth](#): > > Its so so so stupid to suggest this early that Obama would even consider giving people extra ammo to attack him with. Its completely made up At this point in an administration, Obama, or any president for that matter, doesn’t give a hang about ‘extra ammo to attack him’ with. What can happen if he \*is \*attacked? He’s got his second term; he cannot be impeached for exercising a Constitutional function; no Congressman will refuse to vote for a law ‘because he pardoned etc…’. His only job now is to make as many deals as possible in order to get his ‘Ex-Presidential Foundation’ financed, and funding for the Barack H. Obama Presidential library. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-may-pardon-sandi-jackson-before-he-leaves-office/668623.md?page=2)