get out of jail, pay $250,000?!

bush has just commuted "scooter" Libby's jail sentence.
he called the sentence "excessive". excessive?? this sentence was well within the federal guidelines, something bush has hammered throughout his term.
the written statement called it "a harsh sentence based in part on allegations never presented to the jury." wtf? 30 months?!
from the next hurrah:

"[Bush] Made sure that Scooter wouldn't flip rather than do jail time. He commuted Libby's sentence, guaranteeing not only that Libby wouldn't talk, but retaining Libby's right to invoke the Fifth.
This amounts to nothing less than obstruction of justice.
....a guy who is pushing to restore minimum sentencing laws says that Libby's sentencing--which was the minimum according to the guidelines, was too tough..."

i'm ashamed to be an american sometimes. like now.
can you say "quid pro quo"?