When measuring the political natural of the harshness of Siegelman's sentence, it is worth comparing to former Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell. He was recently convicted of multiple felonies, accepting bribes for political favors while in office. The prosecutor waited until McDonnell left office to even bring charges, and he ended up with just a 2 year sentence (despite federal sentencing guidelines that 10-20 years would be more appropriate).

McDonnell was convicted last fall, and will be out of prison before Siegelman.

Nevermind that Siegelman was likely framed and McDonnell was caught redhanded.

He (Scrushy) told radio host Peter B. Collins that federal prosecutors offered before trial in 2006 to let him go free if he would testify falsely against Siegelman, a Democrat.

I don't want to think of what the sentence may have been, since the DOJ asked for 30 years even without that.
Scrushy at least was let out EARLY - the standard good behavior reduction.

I wouldn't hold me breathe waiting on that Pardon, since even after Canary abruptly resigned as "recused" prosecutor, Obama's replacement George Beck had zero effect - also recused!

This Siegelman political killing is far, far too deep and too coordinated to be anything other than just plain "gotcha" politics by Karl Rove and his band of haters. They have absolutely destroyed this totally innocent man's life and career, but hopefully not his spirit. The Go-Fund-Me effort to fund the movie "Killing Atticus Finch" will hopefully raise enough to somehow get the case turned around and have him released quickly and with a great deal of publicity about who did what and when with whom. Brad - your coverage has been beyond phenomenal - please stay with this, as I know you will, until the bitter end!

This has been equal parts heartbreaking and infuriating for years. Thank goodness we're a nation of laws. Not. Leonard Peltier. Edward Snowden. Chelsea Manning. John Kiriakou(at least he got out). On and on... So maddening. So sad.

Karl Rove would disgust Machiavelli, and force Dante to recalibrate the circles of Hell....that Texas lardbucket has been poisoning the body politic of America since the Nixon Dark House, and the Siegelman tragedy was just another day at the office for that twisted miscreant....the only good he will EVER bring this world is by dropping the fuck dead, and i'll be watering the flowers at that funeral....

Strength and hope to the Siegelman family....