And Gonzalez exits stage left.

[Gan]

Attorney General Alberto Gonzales is resigning, long after he had become a persistent embarrassment to President Bush, two senior administration officials told Politico.

The announcement was to come later today. The acting attorney general with be Solicitor General Paul Clement. He "can stay in that position for quite a while," a senior administration official said.

more...

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0807/5522.html
______________________________________________

Trimming the fat in preparation for election season?

[Ilvane]

About time.

I heard they are going to have Chertoff to replace him, at least according to CNN's latest reports.

Angela

[chillmonster]

What's the difference if he stays or goes? They've already politicized DOJ, the EPA, and other agencies with unqualified political appointments even in traditionally non-political positions. When so many top officials come from either the oil industry or Liberty/Regent Universities, there are going to be serious problems.

The next president, Republican or Dem, should clean house and restore the integrity of these government agencies.

[ElanthianSiren]

The next president, Republican or Dem, should clean house and restore the integrity of these government agencies.

Funny, that's exactly what GWB promised to do. I'm sure Clinton promised it too, and if you go back, Senior probably promised it. If you'll note the political trend, it's for politicans to be self serving and dishonest; I can't particularly think of any politicians that I don't view as self serving though there are a few that I don't view as thoroughly dishonest. :) The self serving-ness however seems like it would inhibit what you're suggesting.

Latifundas here we come!

[Kembal]

He literally gave no reason for his resignation in his announcement. You'd think he could at least come up with something.

The interesting question will be who will Bush nominate? He's not going to try the recess appointment route, as Gonzales' resignation isn't effective til Sept. 17, and the Senate will be back in session by then. Nominating Chertoff would be politically idiotic...he headed DHS (and thus oversaw FEMA) during Hurricane Katrina. That would be one very messy confirmation hearing. (Not to say Bush might do it anyway, but the chances for approval would be low.)

[Gan]

He literally gave no reason for his resignation in his announcement. You'd think he could at least come up with something.
With so many already offering reasons, why would he?

Be satsified that he's finally leaving.



The interesting question will be who will Bush nominate? He's not going to try the recess appointment route, as Gonzales' resignation isn't effective til Sept. 17, and the Senate will be back in session by then. Nominating Chertoff would be politically idiotic...he headed DHS (and thus oversaw FEMA) during Hurricane Katrina. That would be one very messy confirmation hearing. (Not to say Bush might do it anyway, but the chances for approval would be low.)

I dont think he'll nominate Chertoff, it will be interesting to see who he offers up that will be acceptable to the DNC but who also will still shield him from Leahy's vendetta.

[chillmonster]

Funny, that's exactly what GWB promised to do. I'm sure Clinton promised it too, and if you go back, Senior probably promised it. If you'll note the political trend, it's for politicans to be self serving and dishonest; I can't particularly think of any politicians that I don't view as self serving though there are a few that I don't view as thoroughly dishonest. :) The self serving-ness however seems like it would inhibit what you're suggesting.

Latifundas here we come!

Yes, but this is the ONLY administration to politicize the DOJ this way. Any objective analyst will tell you that they have had a policy of politicizing expressly non political departments in an effort to in an effort to make political gains.

For instance, no one but an irresponsible political hire who cares only for partisanship would announce an investigation of two poll workers two weeks before a national election. It was a transparent political manipulation of DOJ that would be a fireable offense in any other administration.

[Kembal]

With so many already offering reasons, why would he?

Be satsified that he's finally leaving.

Oh, I'm satisified he's gone. I just found it funny.


I dont think he'll nominate Chertoff, it will be interesting to see who he offers up that will be acceptable to the DNC but who also will still shield him from Leahy's vendetta.

That'll be pretty much mutually exclusive ends there. The thought is running around that Bush will keep Paul Clement (current Solicitor General) around as the acting AG as long as possible (the limit is 210 days, but it restarts every time a nominee is rejected). Of course, that would cause serious problems for the Bush Administration in arguing cases before the Supreme Court.

[chillmonster]

That'll be pretty much mutually exclusive ends there. The thought is running around that Bush will keep Paul Clement (current Solicitor General) around as the acting AG as long as possible (the limit is 210 days, but it restarts every time a nominee is rejected). Of course, that would cause serious problems for the Bush Administration in arguing cases before the Supreme Court.

The top 3 posts at DOJ are now empty. Even this administration has to have name in mind for 2 of these 3 positions.

[Seran]

Alot of this is in conjunction with the recent memo by Chief of Staff Bolton was that anyone not intending to remain for the rest of the current presidency needed to resign prior to Labor Day.

For 100 points, does anyone else know why that deadline is significant?

[Stretch]

That'll teach minorities to try and hold public office.

[Warriorbird]

Has the Bush presidency jumped the shark?

[Gan]

Alot of this is in conjunction with the recent memo by Chief of Staff Bolton was that anyone not intending to remain for the rest of the current presidency needed to resign prior to Labor Day.

For 100 points, does anyone else know why that deadline is significant?

Well, the official story is that anyone who is on staff after labor day will be expected to remain on staff until the end of term, according to Bolton.

What are you alluding to?

Edited to add:

Unless you consider that the recess appointment at this time will not expire prior to the 2008 election, which therefore neuters any investigation the Leahy gang have hopes for starting by a newely captained DoJ.

[Seran]

Well, the official story is that anyone who is on staff after labor day will be expected to remain on staff until the end of term, according to Bolton.

Unless you consider that the recess appointment at this time will not expire prior to the 2008 election, which therefore neuters any investigation the Leahy gang have hopes for starting by a newely captained DoJ.

Bingo