WASHINGTON (AP) — Former President George W. Bush says Vice President Dick Cheney angrily confronted him over Bush’s decision not to pardon a former vice presidential aide over his role in the case of the leaked identity of CIA operative Valerie Plame.
Bush, in an interview aired Monday on NBC’s “Today” show, said Cheney was angry that Bush only commuted the sentence of I. Lewis “Scooter” Libby, convicted of lying during the leak investigation.
Bush’s appearance came as he begins promoting his memoir, “Decision Points.” In the book, Bush recounts that a furious Cheney told him: “I can’t believe you’re going to leave a soldier on the battlefield.”
Bush said he worried the incident would fracture his friendship with Cheney. But he said: “I’m pleased to report we are friends today.”
