Crossing party lines to help corrupt bastards

Dick Durbin loves him some forgiveness!
Here's some backstory on the whole situation. George Ryan worked decades for the state of Illinois, holding the post of secretary of state for a number of years and eventually getting elected governor in 1998.
Amidst swirling accusations surrounding a drivers license for bribes scandal, Ryan did not seek reelection. Eventually he was tried and convicted of 18 federal counts relating to corruption.
Ryan has only served one year of an already too-short 6.5 year sentence.
Ryan is a Republican.
Durbin is a Democrat.
That alliteration was unintentional, as is this assonance.
Durbin has publicly stated he's considering asking President Bush for clemency for Ryan. Why does Dick want George free? Is it because he wasn't really guilty? Is it because of George's good works? Nope. George is all sad he's in jail. He's depressed. And, being old, he doesn't have much life left, so he should be free, right? Right?
Right.
Conveniently, Durbin said this just a few short weeks after he was elected to yet another six-year term as senator.
It's heartwarming to see such love across the aisle in Illinois. It makes me truly believe in all Barack Obama's talk of change. See, even now, how a new era of cooperation has started, with politicians on one side testifying for those on the other. All in the name of feeding from the same public trough.
Can we get away with robbery? YES WE CAN!!! Can we fool the voters enough to continue taking more of their money at the risk of their very safety? YES WE CAN!!!