Obama hits 1,000 mark for commutations granted

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama has surpassed the 1,000 mark for commutations granted during his presidency after shortening sentences for 79 people.Obama has been granting commutations at rapid-fire pace in his final months in office. The White House says he's commuted more sentences than the past 11 presidents combined.Most of those who have received clemency are nonviolent drug offenders, though many were also convicted of firearms violations related to drug crimes.Obama says "it makes no