Scottsdale, AZ – In an historic move that further solidifies a growing bi-partisan coalition that is urging the White House to free Jonathan Pollard, former Vice President Dan Quayle sent a letter to President Obama in which he called for a commutation of Pollard’s sentence (the full text of the letter PDF). Quayle, who served with President George H. W. Bush from 1989-1993, urged the President to release Pollard, who has spent the past 26 years in a federal prison for passing classified information to Israel.
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Prior to becoming the 44th Vice President of the United States, Quayle served as a U.S. Senator and a U.S. Representative from Indiana.
“I write this letter urging you to consider commuting the sentence of Jonathan Pollard,” wrote Quayle. “I believe that a life sentence for the crime committed is very extreme. Though his crime was very serious, I hope you will once again look very carefully at this pending request.”
Good for him!
How come when he was vice-president he didn’t say a word? Like so many other politicians, after being out of office for years, and no longer have any influence, they step up to take up Pollard’s case.
……..I think he meant “Free Poland”……..
Both Presidents Bush , son and his father refused clemency, Clinton, and now he will demand Pardon from whom
When Dan Quayle was VP, he was the butt of a lot of jokes. He was considered inept (and that’s being nice). His saying anything while VP would have been met with ridicule from all corners. I’m not so sure that his coming forward now would carry any weight whatsoever.
Regardless of the former VP’s relevancy at this point in time, the fact that he’s calling fore Pollard’s release wasn’t at all necessary for him especially since he’s not running for any public office. So, a little hakoras hatoiv, please.
Good for him! Why knock him on this one? He could have surfaced on so many other issues and yet chose this one to show his face. That makes one sit up and take notice. I did, I’m impressed, and I should hope others will be too. (Gee, we’re so good at criticizing; try a little praise once in a while. Really, it doesn’t hurt…)
When Mr. Quayle left office, Pollard had only served 8 years and the story was still fresh.
To #4 -“PMO in FL”- I’m afraid that you don’t know what you are talking about; Dan Quayle had nothing to do with Bush #4 1 losing his bid for reelection in 1992. George H.W. Bush had an approval rating of over 90% after our victory in the First Gulf War. However, his approval rating declined uite rapidly, as a result of the stagnant economy which continued throughout the 1992 election. Clinton seized on the economy, and kept stressing the economy in his election campaign. While it is true that Quayle was a poor debater during the 1992 campaign (i.e. comparing himself to JFK), his being on the ticket was a not an issue in 1992.
#4 /#11 … I would toss in that Ross Peroit split the vote on the right in 1992. Clinton carried a plurality of the vote, but he did not carry a majority (i.e. over 50%). Quayle though a sad creature in his own right (“potatoe,” anyone?) had nothing to do with it.
Yes, He should be freed but Why would anyone want to listen to Quayle?
All you weeping hearts never consider that the FBI arrested him on the steps of the Israeli Embassy which refused to give him save haven. He worked in Suitland and blabbered . When you engage in such as he did keep your mouth shut and as a stringer take the consequences
This is man lucky he got a life sentence and should NOT be released. He violated the espionage act of 1917 and anyone calling for his release is a traitor.
Israel may control our government right now but is not an ally of the United States.
Any US citizen calling for Pollard’s release is a traitor. This man should not be released and is lucky with the sentence he received.
can anyone give a rational reason why pollard should ever know freedom again?