As a candidate in 2008, Obama praised instances of whistleblowing as "acts of courage and patriotism" that "should be encouraged rather than stifled as they have been during the Bush administration."
Edward Snowden, in the popular opinion of the citizens of the United States of America, is regarded as a hero for looking out in the best interest of the people. Snowden should be pardoned for the crime that was the release of the information on NSA surveillance programs, for the reason that the information was released for the greater good.