Will President Bush issue preemptive pardons before leaving office?

good question moonglow.
With his closeness to God, I think he will even issue religious pardons on behalf of his staff. By the way, can he pardon himself?
That is the one, who really needs the greatest pardon. After all, isn't that where the buck stops?

What is a "preemptive pardon" and why is there a 50% chance that this will happen when it's impossible to pardon someone before they are convicted?

Well heck...wasn't voided, I'll put 5k on a constitutionally imposibility not happening.

Per Wikipedia definition of Pardon, listed under United States:
"A presidential pardon may be granted at any time, however, and as when Ford pardoned Nixon, the pardoned person need not yet have been convicted or even formally charged with a crime."

Regarding the "constitutionally imposibility," the Supreme Court ruled on this matter in 1866 on behalf of a former Confederate Senator who had been previously pardoned by Andrew Jackson. Here are the pertinent parts of the decision:

"9. The power of pardon conferred by the Constitution upon the President is unlimited except in cases of impeachment. It extends to every offence known to the law, and may be exercised at any time after its commission, either before legal proceedings are taken or during their pendency, or after conviction and judgment. The power is not subject to legislative control.
10. A pardon reaches the punishment prescribed for an offence and the guilt of the offender. If granted before conviction, it prevents any of the penalties and disabilities consequent upon conviction from attaching."
Source: Cornell University Law School website: http://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/html/historics/USSC_CR_0071_0333_ZS.html

As mentioned by bout3fitty, the pre-emptive pardon was used by Ford to pardon Nixon, and is sometimes mentioned as the leading factor in his defeat in the 1976 election against Carter.

Also, Factcheck.org recently was asked the question, and responded on their website:
http://www.factcheck.org/askfactcheck/can_a_president_issue_a_blanket_pardon.html

Great question. It's certainly relevant as there has been a lot of speculation on the matter in the media. Some sources say that Bush is being pushed by conservatives to exercise this option for official involved in his "counterterrorism" programs. Please note that I expressing no opinion as to the reliability of these sources...primarily blogs and the NY Times... I am merely noting that it has been reported/rumored. To me, 50/50 odds seem as good a starting place as any.

It may very well happen; seems to have become SOP for outgoing presidents. Look at the sleazeballs and wealthy fugitive donor-criminals that Clinton pardoned. Half the country didn't seem to mind, nor did the media outside of right-leaning talk radio. Bush might see it as having no significant downside, as he's used to getting hammered by left-leaning media anyway over just about anything he does anymore.

Yes, every president issues pardons... but this question is referring to "preemptive pardons"

Ohhhh... I see... this is an ongoing discussion... the preemptive part was already clarified above... from my backward reading of comments it was like a preemptive clarification :-D

Related hubdub market here:
http://www.hubdub.com/m21447/How_many_pardons_will_George_W_Bush_issue_before_he_leaves_office

I think he will pardon Barack Obama for the treason committed during his visit to Iraq...

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=081126153454.x046wmih&show_article=1&catnum=3