Big Names Await News on Pardons

President Bush continues to be stingy with pardons, but some big names will be hoping for clemency in December, the AP reports. Among the 2,000 applicants are junk-bond king Michael Milken and American-born Taliban soldier John Walker Lindh. Bush also could excuse potential future convicts such as pitcher Roger Clemens and former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales.

Milken was convicted of fraud; some have questioned Clemens’ claim under oath that he didn’t use performance-enhancing drugs; and Gonzales has been investigated over the firings of some US attorneys. Other notable names are former Louisiana Gov. Edwin Edwards and former California congressman Duke Cunningham, both convicted of public corruption. Critics worry that Bush might let off those who some say could be tried for war crimes, such as post-9/11 interrogators. (More George W. Bush stories.)