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Alberto Gonzales has resigned as Attorney General. Apparently, he resigned by telephone on Friday, but the WH did not announce the resignation publicly until today. From the NYTimes:
Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales, whose tenure has been marred by controversy and accusations of perjury before Congress, has resigned. A senior administration official said he would announce the decision later this morning in Washington.
Mr. Gonzales, who had rebuffed calls for his resignation, submitted his to President Bush by telephone on Friday, the official said. His decision was not immediately announced, the official added, until after the president invited him and his wife to lunch at his ranch near here.
Mr. Bush has not yet chosen a replacement but will not leave the position open long, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because the Attorney General’s resignation had not yet been made public.
A formal announcement on the resignation is expected later this morning. Sure brings that whole “Gonzales to be replaced by Chertoff” rumor into sharper focus, doesn’t it? More as we get it on this one…
UPDATE: ThinkProgress says that USNews is also floating the Chertoff as replacement rumor.
UPDATE #2: It is worth a reminder on Mr. Chertoff that:
FEMA was unable to fully support the accuracy and completeness of certain unpaid obligations, and accounts payable, and the related effects on net position, if any, prior to the completion of DHS’s 2006 PAR. These unpaid obligations, as reported in the accompanying DHS balance sheet as of September 30, 2006, were $22.3 Billion or 46% of DHS consolidated unexpended appropriations at September 30, 2006. [emphasis mine]
To give some idea of proportionality, in fiscal year 2005 the entire Grants and Training (formerly know as State and Local Government Preparedness, a/k/a grants to get working radios for NYC firemen and protection for bridges, tunnels, chemical plants and nuclear facilities) was only $171 million.
So, follow me here, FEMA has lost and/or failed to account for a sum of money that is almost half of DHS’s entire budget and 130 times greater than the amount of money that the Department of Homeland Security is willing to spend to secure the homeland.
Close to half the budget for DHS, missing and unaccounted for — in any corporation, that would be a fraud investigation of massive proportions. In government, that’s sheer incompetence with your tax dollars. Certainly worth a lot of questions, isn’t it?
UPDATE #3: CNN reporting that the news conference will be held at 10:30 am ET at the DOJ. They also just interviewed Chuck Schumer who was wobbly to cautiously maybe on Chertoff. Gah.
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first?
Buy, Buy Gonzo.
Good morning Christy!
Astonishing news. Who’s next?
It’s only a couple years overdue — IOW, about par for the course for this administration.
Wonder what other news is coming that made them hold this from Friday and announce it at the start of the news cycle like this?
If the Senate confirms Chertoff….
AMF
IF Chertoff’s to replace Gonzales, will there be confirmation hearings?
If I were the President, I’d recess appoint Chertoff. Same effect, no problem.
Elliott @ 8
No matter who replaces AGAG, there will be confirmation hearings. And they should be quite something.
What were the stated reasons for his resignation? So he could earn more money in the private sector, or so he could spend more time with his family?
Calling Harry Reid: Bring the Senate back into session, STAT. No recess appointments, please (unless that’s already a done deal, which would most certainly not be a surprise).
The whining, it burns…
“We’re watching a political exercise,” Mr. Bush said at a news conference this month, dismissing accusations that the Attorney General had stonewalled or misled a congressional inquiry. “I mean, this is a man who has testified, he’s sent thousands of papers up there. There’s no proof of wrong.”
So, why do I still hear the “better the devil you know than the one you don’t” meme in my head?
No doubt about it, this man was a stain upon the legal fabric of the nation, but I have a grudgingly hard time believing that this is the start of the crumbling Bush presidency avalanche.
The only thing I can think of now is how everybody thought Ashcroft was the absolute worst AG we could have. . .
whoa! just woke up and this was on cnn!
Peterr @ 9
Good timing, what with the September Petreaus report on Iraq coming up and all.
so isn’t the recess still going?
why isn’t there a recess appointment?
coffee is almost ready – good morning all…
Oh, my Dog!
dakine01 @ 5
I’m with dakine01……….where’s the other shoe?
and if there is a confirmation hearing the cynical side of me says a deal was brokered otherwise they would not field chertoff as the replacement, I don’t think he gets in without a deal
watertiger @ 11
As Mr Rumsfeld said, “Absence of proof is not proof of absence.”
“They haven’t laid a glove on him” — Tony Snow
dakine01 @ 20
if bush makes a political claim you can rest assured it is a lie
there was CERTAINLY proof abu torture committed perjury
OMG Chertoff….WAFNightmare! Replace one inept minon with another. Does Peahead know anyone with any intelligence?
Waccamaw @ 18
I do believe Chertoff is a size 14 clunky boot.
The guy had to go. I can’t believe he lasted this long.
I guess the replacement will be a recess appointment, don’t you think?
It is weird that he resigned on Friday but it didn’t make the papers yet.
Is emptywheel really incommunicado until tomorrow?
I’m guessing the deal Harry Reid with the shrub for no recess appointments is probably off…
darclay @ 23
No.
Another example of simple answers for simple questions.
Pat Buchanan telling Coffee Joe that this is perfect timing…a week before Labor Day and a lull before all the really important beautiful people come back to Washington and really important things start happening, because of course as everyone knows, it is a vast wasteland outside the beltway.
[Confidential sidebar to Fredo: when you go out to lunch at the ranch, stay away from the boat….]
GeorgeSimian @ 25
bush didn’t accept the resignation till abu visited him at the ranch
perris @ 16
My concern exactly. Somone ought to wake Reid’s ass up and tell him to get a pro forma session going post haste.
If Chertoff is nominated, that will mean not one but two confirmation hearings. One for him in the Judiciary committee chaired by Patrick Leahy, and another for whoever is nominated to take over Homeland Security, in the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs committee, chaired by . . . Joe Lieberman.
Suddenly, my morning is a bit less happy.
Waccamaw @ 18
They may have not wanted Gonzalez to overshadow the talking points of inserting their new strongman Allawi.
Prairie Sunshine @ 29
good advice there on the boat.. lol
dakine01 @ 20
Oh, yes. And note the careful phrasing, as always, w/these liars- not “he has done nothing wrong,” but “there’s no proof” of him doing wrong.
Heat must have been fierce, building burning down, before Alberto started down that ladder outside his window…
GeorgeSimian @ 25
Elliott @ 26
THAT’S why it happened now — AGAG wants to ruin emptywheel’s vacation!
The nerve of some people.
“The unfair treatment that he’s been on the receiving end of has been a distraction for the department,” the official said.
~sniffle~
dratty @ 31
a confirmed ag is the key to reclaiming our republic
if we can get someone in there with integrity that person will rescind decisisons torture made and prefer charges against abu torture
bush will be FORCED to pardon abu torture
Peterr @ 32
you did bring up a rather unpleasant bit there.
groan
perris @ 38
Pass that bong over here.
I think Gonza has a lot to answer for and he may have been breaking the law on any number of things.
Hope he doesn’t get off with a “he served his country well” rubbish.
From CNN:
One of Gonzales’ chief critics, Sen. Charles E. Schumer released a statement Monday praising Gonzales for resigning.
“It has been a long and difficult struggle but at last, the Attorney General has done the right thing and stepped down,” said the New York Democrat.
“For the previous six months, the Justice Department has been virtually nonfunctional and desperately needs new leadership,” said the Schumer statement. “Democrats will not obstruct or impede a nominee who we are confident will put the rule of law above political considerations. We beseech the Administration to work with us to nominate someone whom Democrats can support and America can be proud of.”
Gunga Djinn @ 38
rub index finger and thumb together…world’s smallest violin….
Wonder if Harriet is busy?
John Edwards says, “Better late than never”.
SanderO @ 41
Is he still in the States, or has he moved down Paraguay Way all ready?
What we’d like to hear: Dems talking about someone like Jim Comey as the appropriate kind of person to bring internal order and restore confidence among DOJ career appointees.
What we’ll hear: Dems vacillating over the prospect of Skeletor Chertoff and his terror-detecting gut, because they already approved him for DHS. Has Chertoff demonstrated the capacity to restore trust in a department?
Also, let’s see whether AGAG’s being handed his bag beats Michael Vick to the top of the network news bulletins today.
perris @ 38
Who would be a good choice. I have not seen anyone in this Adminstration that has any integrity that could perform those duties.
I was listening to MSNBC but the snide sniping of Democrats sickened me. “Alberto did no wrong” and I turned it off.
So, now, instead of a stupid guy doing illegal shit that he gets caught doing well get a smart guy who will do illegal shit and he won’t get caught!
Fitz!
raven @ 45
Would she appear for her own confirmation, or just say Bush told her not to?
ccmask @ 51
I’m with you.
OC Democrat @ 42
did you take that to mean Schumer is or could be opposed to Chertoff?
Bahahaha! Christmas has come early this year! I’m betting the GOP will try and warn about backlash from Hispanics on this one. Because the evil Left railroaded poor Gonzo for daring to be a Mexican Republican.
Bahahaha! yeah right what has Gonzo ever done for us? I wonder how many Mexicans got sent to deathrow when Gonzo was handling Governor Bush’s death penalty review process.
I wonder if we can get a comment on how great a lawyer Gonzo is from that lawyer who fell asleep during a deathpenalty case in Texas.
Hope the D’s don’t take this as a reason to back off the FISA bill….
A TNH-inspired timeline:
Thursday: Marcy tells her readers that she’s away till next Tuesday.
Friday: AGAG resigns, to be made public on Monday.
Co-in-ki-dink?
OT from the NY Times, Senator Dodd’s offices burglarized. Undisclosed items taken AND evidence left at scene.
Lindy @ 53
in our dreams!
raven @ 50
I think that under a Bush administration, no truly smart guy would touch this job with a ten foot pole.
Even if Chertoff gets to sit in Gonzo’s chair, anyone want to bet that Deadeye and his pet shyster Addington won’t continue re-writing the laws “jest the way they like ‘em?”
Gonzo was the dimmest of shiny objects.
Maybe he’ll just put Ashcroft back in.
Elliott @ 55
That’s my sense of things, but then again, it’s only a gut feeling. /snerk/
Lindy @ 53
it would be a great idea for bush but number one, fitz would put everyone in jail
and number two, the base would not allow it
pseudonymous in nc @ 57
I think not!
raven @ 50
Bushies don’t care about getting caught they think they are the law.
dratty @ 32
Very good point.
I just want to say that this is yet again more proof that elections do matter.
Everything changed on November 6th. Thank goodness.
BTW, CNN has been reporting in their banners and jibber-jabber that Gonzales bombed spectacularly in front of Congress (according to members of the Republican party), and that his honesty has been an issue, as well as his obstructionist actions in firing the US Attorneys.
Jeffrey Toobin says he’s actually surprised Gonzo resigned, because he thought the President would continue to support Gonzo AND Congress didn’t have the stomach to impeach him.
He also described Gonzales as “a really preposterous Attorney General”, basically saying he is the worst ever.
Toobin also says that he personally is friends/longtime colleagues with Chertoff. He points off that Chertoff is an outstanding attorney and eminently qualifed for AG, but because of his actions at DHS, he might face some challenge in being confirmed.
Malveaux said she’s hearing from officials that Clay Johnson will likely be nominated to replace Chertoff at DHS, and Chertoff will be nominated to replace Gonzales.
10am ET news conference.
Is Texas Toast still good when it’s been in the toaster oven for so long?
cnn reporter: ” Chertoff may be named to replace Gonzo this week”…
ooo – I’m smelling recess appointment…
Vicki Toe-suck on MSNBC says this is a wonderful thing – now I know there’s something evil going on.
I can’t help but wonder just what evidence surfaced to get AGAG to resign. Must’ve been something colossal.
OMG. It figures, Marcy’s out of pocket until tomorrow.
Or will this override her commitment to being offline?
Chertoff is one scary bugger, likely as bad as Gonzo; they must have been in sympatico all along since The Real ID Act as originally submitted to the floor of the House required DHS and USAG to work hand-in-glove to “suspend any and all laws as necessary to defend the borders, without judicial review.” And they can’t afford to have anybody outside the circle in the USAG’s slot since they might actually investigate and prosecute crimes, including illegal domestic wiretapping.
Is this a recess appointment, too? If it is we’ll be stuck with him, a guy with dual citizenship and soon to be 7th in line of succession to the presidency; he stay beyond the period of time for which a recess appointment is valid, with Bush using the argument he doesn’t want to switch horses in mid-stream.
But they have to ditch USAG because he’s on tap now not only for perjury but Hatch Act violations, and the Hatch Act stuff goes away if he quits.
This is bad, bad news. BAD.
And you conservative trolls should be very, very afraid of this guy; if he wasted BILLIONS as DHS, just wait until he gets his hands on the DOJ budget. Oh, and the illegal wiretapping. Unless you folks have changed your tune and actually like bigger government that spies on you, kind of like the USSR.
Glad to see him go and way over due. But I don’t see a crumbling WH either. They just took control over both Congresses just before their break. Both voted for spying on Americans. I won’t ever understand how Bush pulled that off.
Why aren’t they doing a press conference on the WH lawn. A senior adm will announce later… Weird.
Poor AG won’t get a send off like Rove & the others.
Calling Harry Reid, bring the congress back! No recessed appointments.
FishGuyDave @ 12
OC Democrat @ 64
laughing
Peterr @ 61
Or someone fully vested in the criminal enterprise.
OldCoastie @ 17
Skip the coffee……let’s break out the champagne.
Could *any* replacement be worse? Wait, wait………….I take that back; shrub is still in the WH. ,-(
raven @ 50
Wonder who rover is recommending?
Did I hear that right, but is Clay Johnson being floated as the next head of DHS?
Now that gets the tinfoil buzzing.
Maybe Cheney will resign next.
The Democratic Congressional leadersheep will likely not follow up on holding him accountable. Wouldn’t be surprised if they worked out a deal with the WH.
The push is on…Toensing touting Chertoff.
Hmmm. Chertoff…he can not only rule on illegal wiretapping, he can supply the list.
Ana Marie as Mornin’ Joe’s sidekick? minus 10
Minus, minus…gawd I miss Imus.
Thunderbird @ 72
i can only believe the president brokered a deal with democrats to get someone confirmed that he has assurances won’t press the issues that need to be pressed
or he thinks he can reccess appoint
I can see no other reason for this resignation
Hardball time for Dems. They better be up for it.
landofthefree @ 68
thank you for all that!
snowbird42 @ 50
Is that so? Dem’s are defending Gonzales? Then the fix is in…a deal was cut.
GeorgeSimian @ 79
cheney is mad
I am not kidding, in my humble unprofessional opinion, if cheney were given an examination he would be found clynically insane
for a man to continue making claims that he knows are publicly exposed as lies takes a man insane
true
jayt @ 71
you aren’t kidding!
Bad news?! Give me a break. So the Hatch Act violations go away. He still lied under oath in Congress. He was the one withholding evidence. He was the one obstructing justice. He was the one that said he wouldn’t enforce subpoenas. I’m not saying all that will go away, but it’s a start.
It’s gonna be a recess appt….nothing congress is going to be able to do about it right now….ohhh boy…now we know why the last round of resignations out of justice in past few weeks. If you think there have been hearings before it is gonna get wild now….
which is just what shrub needs to take attention off iraq….
CNN’s Toobin worked for Chertoff and thinks highly of him although (more or less) his inaction regarding Katrina may be a bump. CNN will more thoroughly anoint him once they get the talking points from the House of Horrors.
The Democrats will see this as a victory and go with Chertoff or anyone else Bush deems subservient enough for his lawlessness.
Waccamaw – 545 a.m. is a little early for champagne…. how about coffee first and champagne at 7 am?
;-)
Gunga Djinn @ 85
It’s the same old “my good friend” Washington bullshit. There is plenty of video of Abu yuk in up with the Dems in the hearing room. They are all fucking bandits. . .bandidos!
Bush doesn’t have to do a recess appointment with this Congress. The Dems will roll over and give Bush whatever he wants. It’s their MO. All Bush has to do is invoke the name of Al Qaida and terrorists and the Dems will scurry for cover.
Elliott @ 87
holy crow, if toenail is on board with this then there is definately a deal brokered
this is gonna be one interesting week
GeorgeSimian @ 79
now THAT I’d break out the 5am champagne for!
Schumer live on CNN: asked point blank about his opinion of Chertoff, he says that there have been many issues about the Homeland Security department and how Chertoff ran it. He also says that he’s going to study Chertoff’s record as an attorney – he says he wants to reserve judgement until announcements have been made. He says that he doesn’t want to throw out any names.
His biggest concern is that the rule of law is followed by the new AG.
He also says “I’d rather look forward than look back”. Also, “Our number one goal is not to look back and fingerpoint”. I hope this is polite rhetoric, and that this doesn’t signal that Democrats like Schumer are willing to walk away from further investigations of how this White House pushed politics into every branch of our government. This nasty infestation needs to be fully cleared out. Getting the figureheads who enabled this plan is just the start.
looseheadprop — you out there?
Is this potential recess appointment really better than giving up fundraising during August?
Waccamaw @ 77
Make mine a mimosa, please.
I am a witch! I told them at work Friday I wouldn’t be in today and was taking a vacation day. Brilliant! Thanks Abu!!
It’s all in the timing, folks.
landofthefree @ 68
From Johnson’s official White House bio:
I’m not seeing a lot there about a background in security issues — but he appears to be well versed in hiring political partisans.
And it would be yet another appointment where Bush takes a White House staffer and puts them into an agency position (as he did with AGAG).
pseudonymous in nc @ 79
Yes, that is what CNN said rather decisively.
I don’t know anything about him. Share?
edit: Peterr, you rock!
Rayne @ 73
Aren’t there criminal Hatch Act penalties, though, too, that would apply to Gonzales?
ccmask @ 99
let me know before the next vacation day please, I will take off too.
btw
ann rice says all redheads are withces by genetics
are you a redhead?
Rayne @ 98
looseheadprop — you out there?
Is this potential recess appointment really better than giving up fundraising during August?
Obvioulsy I’m not lhp – but if GWB recess appoints on this one, I don’t think he’ll ever even get a hearing on a single other nominee for the rest of his term.
raven @ 93
It’s America’s version of kabuki. Heard a piece of an interesting interview with a scholar who’s book talks about the decline of democracy, how the American system of governance just isn’t responsive to problems in a modern world. Something about democracy swirling around the drainhole. Anyone know the name of the book or the author?
And Schumer’s non-committal about Chertoff was depressing.
Was there some backroom deal struck to get Gonzo out in exchange for an easy confirmation? If so, it stinks, because the underlying issues remain. We still have the missing emails, the contempt of congress, the nasty little political shop at DOJ.
Is there such a thing as bacon & egg popcorn?
Well, that certainly puts things in perspective now, doesn’t it. Take a guy who has ‘lost’ 46% of the appropriation and promote him/move him to another position where he can be controlled.
Christy -
Has a date certain for his resignation been reported?
perris @ 104
Actually, the color is Clairol Cinnaberry.
Fox news is talking about Paul Clement the current Solicitor General of the United States as possible replacement till an AG is confirmed. And their saying this should happen fast.
Rayne @ 97
wasn’t there a pre-recess report that some agreement had been reached? iirc it was that reid would get a couple of judicial appointments approved and bush wouldn’t do an recess appoinments.
or did i dream that?
Turley on MSNBC now
ccmask @ 107
you funny!
pseudonymous in nc @ 106
I like the non committ
no predisposed positions if you please
he did already site issues he needs to address, this is a precursor me thinks
things come undone @ 55
Both La Opinion & El Diario/La Prensa have come out in the recent past w/front page op-eds saying Gonzales is a disgrace & should resign.
Stephen — I just updated the post above — CNN is reporting that the news conference on this will be at 10:30 am ET at the DOJ. Nothing more firm than that…
My guess for new AG is Ted Olsen. The righties will play on the death of his wife on 9/11 thereby coopting any criticism of him as a replacement.
Peterr @ 101
Clay Johnson is a Bush buddy-boy from private school. He was named as one of the sources for Jim Hatfield’s book. Sticking him at DHS smells of all sorts of weirdness.
sunshine @ 112
From Wiki:
Following graduation, Clement clerked for Judge Laurence H. Silberman of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, and for Associate Justice Antonin Scalia of the U.S. Supreme Court.
Oh GOD! CNN has KellyAnn Conway on this morning. Blergh — didn’t she melt away after the Clinton/Lewinsky years? Ick.
sunshine @ 111
With all the recent resignations at the DOJ, I believe that Clement would be the highest ranking person around, thus making him the acting AG if Gonzales leaves immediately.
I know there’s some bad stuff out there somewhere on Chertoff – now where was it – Hopsicker?
jayt — I’ve already updated the post above with the Chertoff missing DHS money link from LHP. Is that what you were looking for?
This is another non accountability moment for a republican criminal.
All the buzz with be about the replacement and he will slink off because the dems who DO want to hold him accountable will be called meanies. Come guys… let by gones be by gones. Let’s all look to the future and we have the report on Iraq coming out. Move on.
We have been had once again.
So long Scumbagzales. You’ll be as missed as a boil.
-GSD
Gonzo a liar til the end. From the NYT…
Elliott @ 27
Well, if she’s here in DC, she just might stay to watch the fireworks.
OC Democrat @ 11
Supposedly there was a deal that there would be no recess appointments. I had thought I read that Reid was going to have a proforma session every three days otherwise. Of course this administration would never pull a double cross, would they?
I think Clement was arguing for the government’s state secret privilege in the AT&T case. It was all Catch 22 and sickening to behold.
Gonzales’s luncheon with the king must have felt more like a last supper. Thugs.
GeorgeSimian @ 127
that is one great point, lying till the end
Jeffrey Toobin clerked under Chertoff, so he’s got a big soft spot for the creepy old galoot.
-GSD
Why Chertoff when Jeb’s not busy?
I didn’t know Gonzales was from Humble, Texas.
OldCoastie & Lindy -
Goin’ on 9:00 here……….I’ll save you some for after your caffeine hit. Mimosas can be arranged. *g*
Peterr -
Tks for the background on Johnson.
I was under the impression that a Cabinet level appointment must be confirmed by the Senate. Am I mistaken on this?
Timing is everything, huh? Who thinks this obvious, although late, departure has been timed to divert attention from the failings in the ME. All roads lead to Iraq and Bush’s need to stay there, for many reasons. Ultimately, everything revolves around the $$$$$!
ccmask @ 135
I fixed that for ya.
-GSD
Think chertoff was a rabbit….send his name out and let him get blasted then come back with a new name and everyone goes ‘oh…ok…that’s better’
but it will be a recess because the emperor does not care what the little people think or do….even though a recess appt will give congress far more shots at hearings in the long run..shrub and shooter does not care and will welcome it as it will get Iraq off the front page.
wanna bet tony snow moving up his leaving now?
CNN saying AG is going to brief reporters at 10:30 am. Why wouldn’t Pres. Bush participate in this press conference, as with Rumsfeld and Rove?
I’m still in the camp that believes this is good news. With Rove and Gonzales resigning, you know they are only doing it because there is a lot of heat. CNN indicates that they don’t think the Democrats were going to impeach Gonzales. It’s very clear that Bush adamantly did not want these men to be forced out of their jobs. To me, this means that the Democrats have found enough dirt. An interesting prospect if CNN is correct in stating that the Democrats were not going to impeach the AG. So, what are the Republicans trying to hide?
Is it that the Democrats have found some smoking guns, and the WH is hoping that with Rove and Gonzales leaving the picture, the Democrats will back off and focus on 2008?
The Republicans keep getting carted out on TV saying that Gonzales’ resignation is good news. My gut (heh) says that they’re trying to make a positive spin on it, that they won’t really slam Gonzales outright, but just want to say that he’s “become a distraction” (because of the Democrats). They’re hoping that when he steps down, controversy will go away. My gut (heh) also says the Democrats won’t just walk away from their investigations.
CNN also brought up a good point: if Chertoff is nominated now, there will be a LOT of focus on how he was in charge during the devastating response to Hurricane Katrina. He will face a lot of scrutiny as a manager, his competency to lead will be questioned.
Mauimom @ 129
From emptywheel, last week:
She’s there . . . but will she get back to the toobz? Maybe she’ll head to the press conference. Any chance she could wave her old FDL press pass from the Libby trial and get in to cover it? *g*
well, well, well, that’s a nice breakfast present!
realworld @ 129
oh no,they have too much integrity to pull somehting like that off
Christy Hardin Smith @ 125
jayt — I’ve already updated the post above with the Chertoff missing DHS money link from LHP. Is that what you were looking for?
Nope – some stuff from before he was ever appointed there. I’ll look around.
IrishJim @ 137
No, you’re not mistaken.
Bush wants to nominate Chertoff, Mr I can’t account for 22.3 Billion Dollars from the Homeland Security Budget for Attorney General. Is Bush working on the it takes a thief to catch a thief theory?
What ever happened to bringing dignity back to the White House? What ever happened to the charge to keep? What happened to the grown ups are in charge?
Chertoff should FIND the money he lost at Homeland Security before he gets the Attorney General job. Absence of proof is not proof my a** a McDonalds manager would be fired if the days take disappeared from the safe even if he said he didn’t know what happened plus I guarantee you the cops would be called.
But Bush thinks Chertoff should be promoted hmm? no wonder all Bush’s businesses went bankrupt.
Its sad when Mcdonalds is run with more accountabilty than our government.
dakine01 @ 59
You would think with their spying on Americans ie politicians also, why would they need to steal? But of course, GOP have got to be the first suspects.
Badwater @ 134
Jeb is not a lawyer.
Peterr @ 146
RXCCELLANt!!!
unless of course there is some provision in that enabling act that we don’t know about
yet
Jane — you lurking? Come on, take dictation today from EW and post it. There’s always a work around.
;-)
sunshine @ 112
Nothing about this on CNN. Perhaps Fox is hoping that will happen – not that they’ve heard from anyone in-the-know it is going to happen.
Malveaux on CNN: “Very senior officials, at the very top of the list, say that Michael Chertoff is likely to be nominated for AG. They also say that it is possible that Clay Johnson will be nominated for DHS.”
landofthefree @ 142
How nice — and it’s right around the anniversary of Katrina. Maybe Leahy could schedule one session of the confirmation hearing in the Lower Ninth Ward. On a rainy day.
NBC also saying Clement now from their Justice guy.
Stephen Parrish, CPA @ 150
I believe the law was changed after JFK and RFK making it no longer legal for the POTUS to appoint a family member as AG.
Or I may be an id10t.
A Whitehouse spokesloser sez:
The unfair treatment that he’s been on the receiving end of has been a distraction for the department.
Poor Alberto.
-GSD
things come undone @ 148
Apparently being able to disappear large amounts of cash from the government coffers is a top job qualification for those in the Bush Crew.
It pains me to have to say it, but . . .
Joe Lieberman is a lawyer.
How could his BFFs in the Senate refuse to confirm him?
Can that woman in Wisconsin who was jailed wrongly and Gov. Siegelman sue this creep now?
(Rhetorical, but they should!)
Mauimom @ 158
I floated joe a while ago, the consensus here is he wouldn’t give up his senate seat
I totally disagree, he is entirely beholden to cheney and bush
if they ask, he goes
Marie Roget @ 117
We need our talking heads to have that information ready because I’m sure Rove has his MSM talking heads ready to spin a hispanic backlash talking point.
Peterr @ 10
The operative word and emphasis is on “…they should be quite something.” But will they be in fact? Will the missing half of the DHS budget get any mention? Will Chertoff’s gut receive any questions? Will Chertoff’s brain, that “lost” half the DHS budget (perhaps it has been redirected to “other programs/other purposes” by Cheney) get any questions and which part of Chertoff, his brain or his gut, will be dominant in the AG’s position?
Oh, Geez Louise. Schumer’s apparently afraid that he’s going to look meeeeeaaaan and obstructionist if he dismisses Chertoff out of hand. Everybody knows that the Thugs didn’t give any of Clinton’s nominees a free pass — not unless there was something in it for them, such as by getting Clinton to give away the store on some issue or another.
Another person leaves the clutches of George W. Bush with a shattered, ruined reputation.
Bush is The Destroyer.
He is the Reverse Midas.
On that note, 4 more US soldiers dead in Iraq and 2 more NATO deaths in Afhganistan.
-GSD
got to step out, catch all later
CNN just mentioned Clement “has been suggested as a possible interim replacement”. Kelly Arena. She seeed to be tiptoeing around the idea.
Mauimom @ 159
With a gleam in their eye and joy in their hearts?
And laughing their senatorial assess off?
Senate FAQ on Recess Appointments. Basically, there are no restrictions on this power so unless there is a deal and Bush honors it he is free to do what he wants.
Mauimom @ 159
He will not leave the Senate. Why leave the Senate, a cushy guaranteed job that will be there long after Bush is gone, to go through this confirmation and lose his job in a year?
Not gonna happen.
This may be a duplicate post by me. It’s from Jeralyn a few days ago.
http://www.talkleft.com/story/2007/8/26/02053/2605
GSD @ 165
The Royal Bush Family has always expressed condolences for the difficulties of its minions.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recess_appointment
Using Bolton as an example…recess appt aug 2005 and did not resign until the end of that session of congress…dec 2006.
I can picture Bush re-shuffling the deck right now.
I suggest Patrick Fitzgerald as the AG replacement. Perhaps the Dems should suggest him as someone who would get an assured approval.
Bush will shine up another Medal of Freedom to place around Gonzo’s neck on his way out the door.
landofthefree @ 142
A-yep. Bush is running out of loyal and untainted people (”untainted” meaning “aren’t on the media’s radar screens for the wrong reasons”), and he’s hesitant to try and push them through the Senate. (That’s why he hasn’t replaced any of the Cons who left the (formerly) Fascist Fourth Circuit for bigger corporate bucks.)
Praedor Atrebates @ 175
I think Pat had a B-rating though…he’ll be looking for a member of his A-Team.
perris @ 17
Bush made a deal with Reid. No recess appointments.
My God! Who’s is going to tell the children?
-GSD
P.S. 10 arrested for the murder of Russian journalist Anna Politskavkaya.
Yahoo link.
landofthefree @ 167
Clement would be an ACTING attorney general. That is, he would have the AG’s powers until a new AG is confirmed. This is standard practice — such as when Ashcroft had his surgery and Comey was the acting AG. The only person at the DOJ now who outranks Clement is Craig Morford, the ACTING deputy AG. In other words, Clement is the highest ranking permanent official around.
sangemon @ 179
as if one could trust Bush.
HA!
Bush will make a live statement at 11:30am from Waco, TX (per CNN).
Praedor Atrebates @ 175
the neo fascists would not allow it
comey would be the best bet for bush but I don’t think he can handle the heat comey would bring to abu’s previous decisions
I think the best bet for bush as far as getting a confirmation and getting no heat would be joe
no, he won’t stay as senator if he’s asked, he is beholden to this adminsitration, he goes with the hope of that setting himself up for a spot on the gop ticket as vp
Sally @ 171
The gold in this link is another link to the ACLU summary re Chertoff.
Peterr @ 181
Thank you for the clarification. I’m still getting up to speed on some of the minions who have been supporting the lightning rods.
Praedor Atrebates @ 175
Chicago needs him right where he is. But Tom Heffelfinger (or David Iglesias) wouldn’t mind the gig, I reckon.
One thing I keep thinking: What big news is so horrible for Bush and his minions that they wanted to shove it off the newscycle with this story (which I’m sure they’ve held in reserve until such time as it was needed)?
Dems should hand Bush a list of 3 acceptable candidates for DOJ and DHS. Tell Bush take it or leave it and be prepared to go to the mat on both positions.
Nah, nah youze guys is all wrong…the next resignation will be BUSH!
Good riddance! Yet we should hold off on our glee. After all, we thought it was not possible to get anyone worse than Ashcroft and even had hope that a Hispanic would stand up and show the World that, even when appointed by crooks, our people have incredible honor.
We were rewarded with incompetence worse than that in Iraq, serving the Master like we hadn’t seen since the days of slavery, and we were left wishing we could have someone with the integrity of Ashcroft. So we should hold off on our partying until we see if the next crook is better than Gonzo.
jim oconnor @ 188
Nice idea but it’ll never happen. Current Dem leadership shows little leadership.
perris @ 184
That would be great, to get Lieberman out of the Congress and it MIGHT even “serve” the interests of Bushie to some degree by taking away a “Democratic caucuser” and kill the feeble Dem majority in the Senate. What are the rules for replacing Lieberman in Penn? Is it special election or governor appointment?
itwasntme @ 189
now there’s a terrifying thought
jim oconnor @ 188
If the goal is to get Bush to take one of those three, I’d suggest that Leahy get together with Specter, Grassley, and some of the GOPers on his committee and have them send the list up.
As I’ve said, I may be an id10t, but it seems to me that one way to p*ss off even the Republics in the Senate would be for Little Boots to arbitrarily make a recess appointment for a replacement for AGAG without even making an initial attempt to send a name to the Senate for confirmation.
At least 27 gooper senators will still be in office after ‘08 even if all 22 seats up in ‘08 flip to Dem.
Of course, Little Boots has not shown much respect for the Senators and their prerogatives but still, he does need SOME cooperation from them in the remaining time in office.
let me guess – Gonzo wants to spend more time with his family?
Be assured that there was some backroom dealing going on last week while the populace was hypnotized by all the bright shiny objects. I wanna throw up!
things come undone @ 161
Agreed. Besides going to the papers above, they could contact Roberto Lovato of New America Media, who has been tracking & writing about Latino organizations’ reaction to Gonzales “leadership” @ DOJ…
itwasntme @ 189
be still my heart, for to be wrong and you be right
I want Fitz to be the independent prosecutor who investigates what Chertoff did with the missing 22.3 Billion dollars from the Homeland Security budget before Chertoff becomes Attorney General.
Talk about putting Fox in charge of the Henhouse who wants a crook or at best a 22.3 billion dollar incompetent in charge of the Justice Dept?
How can we expect Chertoff to find Al Quieda if he can’t find 22.3 Billion Dollars?
dakine01 @ 58
Tinfoil hat: I wouldn’t put it past Rove to do that, leaving evidence that is seen to implicate one of the Dem front runners (whomever he considers most viable).
New thread
perris @ 199
All Hail President Cheney?!
Looks like YouTube has been hacked.
Praedor Atrebates @ 192
The state is Connecticut, not Pennsylvania and the Republic Governor (Rell) would appoint a replacement.
Think Progress update:
UPDATE IV: The AP reports, “A senior Justice Department official said that a likely temporary replacement for Gonzales is Solicitor General Paul Clement, who would take over until a permanent replacement is found.”
We’ve got Gonzo treed!
We’re down to Cheney and Bush!
Let’s stay on the trail, Firepups!
Woof, woof – ahhhhhhhhooooooooohhhhhhhh!
Fresh thread for everyone…
It’s not gonna be who Bush wants…it will be a recess…but it will be Cheney choosing. Chertoff was a red herring just to show continuity…normal politics.
Whoever it is they have to be totally slaved to this admin as it will be coming under more and more legal attacks as their time winds down…I am sure the phrase being used is “we go down- you go with us”
Is it someone we know such as Hatch? That’s an idea…
LOL
I’ve got cnn on half listening & got confused when I heard Michael has to own up to what he did but they were talking about Vick, not Chertoff.
perris @ 87
I agree, he is not dealing with reality. Still spouting out lies which he has repeated so long it seems as if he now believes his own lies.
Didn’t Bush and Reid cut a special deal that there would be no recess appointments?
So I don’t think we’ll get a literal ‘recess appointment’
Peterr (10):
And that something is likely to involve Joe Biden saying “I like you! You’re the real deal!”
Question,
If the pResident pardons his cronies for crimes he was involved in himself, what happens to the pardons?
Even though the resignation he needs a fair trial
[MOD: edited to remove reference to hanging]
When Rove resigned I figured this was coming.
Hopefully the house and senate will only approve a bi-partisan replacement.
Oh wait, we’re talking spineless Dems here.
things come undone @ 148
If you want to account for the missing $Billions$ (whether from DHS, Iraq or elswhere) start looking at the recent rash of corporate acquisitions by “private equity” groups. $7.4 Billion to buy Chrysler doesn’t just magically appear out of thin air, for example.
Cerberus, guarding the gates of Hell indeed.
Family calls!
Whoooooooo!
Whoooooooo!
Whoooooooo!
GeorgeSimian @ 80
That would be good.
Praedor Atrebates @ 175
The possibilities of Olsen or Clement: Clement I don’t know, but as Asst. AG he’s obviously experienced and probably up to the technical aspect of the job. Olsen I’ve seen in action and I was impressed. I know he’s political, but he’s also a very good lawyer.
So, those guys would seem to be better choices than Chertoff or Hatch or others.
Richmond @ 201
I try to avoid getting so far into the other guy’s head that I would think up something like that. Is it dark and icky in there?
Still, you might be right.
I’d also suggest that Dem candidates should increase security.
“Get-Lost” GOBELZ-Zalez, GUNZO!
The world’s history defined and placed you as a 1st ‘Highest Legal Rank” who instituted, organized, protected and managed TORTURING OF WAR PRISONERS”, a worthless human waste who put $ and poppetship to his criminal cheating boss (George Bush) above the people, country and legal justice, as a Liar and bankrupted personality, GET LOST Mr. GOBELZ-ZALEZ, the country is a shame to have you as a highest member of justice, you should be Arrested and trialed as a cheating liar who deposited our Tax dollars to your damn bank account to save Bush’s Ass not the justice in this country, down with you and your corrupted mind and the war criminals wolf pack Bush, Cheney, Rumsefeld, Powel, Rove and the rest of human wastes. GET LOST
“Get-Lost” GOBELZ-Zalez, GUN-ZO!
The world’s history defined and placed you as a 1st ‘Highest Legal Rank” who instituted, organized, protected and managed TORTURING OF WAR PRISONERS”, a worthless human waste who put $ and a partisan poppetship to his criminal cheating boss (George Bush) above the people, country and legal justice, as a Torturer, Liar, Corrupted Paid Bush Poppet . GET LOST Mr. GOBELZ-ZALEZ, the country is a shame to have you as a highest member of justice, you should be Arrested and trialed as a cheating liar who deposited our Tax dollars to your damn bank account to save Bush’s Ass not the justice in this country, down with you and your corrupted mind and the war criminals wolf pack Bush, Cheney, Rumsefeld, Powel, Rove and the rest of human wastes. GET LOST
I’d like to thank and congratulate the liberal blogosphere for making this happen. Make no mistake, you did make it happen. It wasn’t Democratic legislators or the overall Democratic establishment. And it damn sure wasn’t the news media. Again, thank you.