How can the two even be compared? One, those presidents which all of those except LBJ have considerably less, two the POTUS can pardon anyone and anywhere over the nation compared to a gov. in just his own state - Presidents get a lot more requests and always pardon some regardless. That's an unreal number for any gov., be hard pressed to find another gov. with that many. Think it said twice as many as his last three predecessors COMBINED. I'm not against pardons, a lot should be granted(symbolic or not) and I'm sure there's plenty he should have - but 12 convicted murderers?