Similarly, Robert "Bud" McFarlane, who was U.S. national security adviser at that time, has also come out publicly in favor of clemency.

CNN: The truth about Jonathan Pollard

The Arizona senator, who often mentions his time as a prisoner of war during the Vietnam era, graduated from the Academy in 1958 along with John Poindexter and Robert "Bud" McFarlane, two consecutive national security advisers under President Reagan who played a role in the Iran-Contra affair.

CNN: Obama hammers McCain over Social Security