Gonzo's Replacement: The Hillary Factor
Here, via the Washington Post's campaign blog, is Hillary Clinton's response to Alberto Gonzales' resignation as Attorney General and the rumors that Michael Chertoff is in line to replace him:
Without naming him, Clinton also took a swipe at Homeland Security chief Michael Chertoff, who is rumored as a possible choice to lead the department.
"The second anniversary of Hurricane Katrina is one more reminder that the President must appoint someone to lead the Department of Justice with the leadership and competence necessary to defend the Constitution," she wrote.
Clinton's potential opposition to Chertoff is noteworthy because it could provide her a unique opportunity to tend to personal and political imperatives simultaneously.
Recall that the former First Lady has a history with Chertoff, who served as the lead G.O.P. Counsel to the Senate committee that investigated Whitewater in the mid-1990s -- and perhaps nothing makes Hillary Clinton more irate than the memory of that probe. Indeed, she (Ed. note: woops) cast the lone Senate vote against Chertoff's nomination to the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals in 2003, citing his Whitewater conduct as her rationale.
If President Bush does nominate Chertoff for Attorney General, Hillary will have plenty of ammunition to go after him, as her Katrina comment today demonstrated. And in going after him, she would undoubtedly score points with the Democratic base (especially if she took a leading role in any nomination fight), thereby burnishing her primary season credentials. At the same time, of course, she'd also be getting even with her old nemesis, especially her effort resulted in the death of his nomination.
It's also worth wondering what effect Clinton's opposition would have on the other Democratic Senators in the presidential race. With Clinton connecting Chertoff to Katrina, wouldn't Barack Obama, Joe Biden and Chris Dodd be obligated to oppose his nomination as well? Perhaps this is why the White House, which seemed initially to be telling reporters that Chertoff was the choice, is now putting out the word that no decisions have been made and other contenders -- Ted Olson, Larry Thompson -- are in the mix.
- Poll
- Obama (D)
- McCain(R)
- Spread
- RCP Average
- 46.4
- 41.6
- Obama +4.8
- Candidate
- Favorable
- Unfavorable
- Spread
- Obama
- 55.7
- 32.7
- +23.0
- McCain
- 52.4
- 34.7
- +17.7
You need a better editor:
Indeed, he cast the lone Senate vote against Chertoff's nomination to the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals in 2003, citing his Whitewater conduct as her rationale.
"Indeed, he" <> "as her rationale." Hillary is a female!
Chertoff is clearly the best choice for Attorney General. After Alberto's brilliant tenure, only Chertoff comes close to the stellar performance of Fredo. Whether is be visiting a drug-addled attorney general, seeking approval of a controversial program, or firing bad attorneys, or not recalling things, only Chertoff can fill Gonzales' shoes and deliver like no other. Our Commander Guy has chosen wisely.
Blanca DeBree
http://blancadebree.blogspot.com
I think this is a real chance for ALL the Democratic presidential candidates who happen to be in the Senate to do our hard-pressed Constitution a favor: Don't be fair. Don't be nice. Insist that the next Attorney General comes from outside the Administration and can be trusted to begin investigating all the clouds that are casting shadows on Bush and Company. No independence, no confirmation.
Ha Ha! Good!
Those chickens come home to roost, don't they Chertoff?
Perhaps someone could answer this: I thought Orin Hatch was going for this position...if he is, why is his name not being mentioned?
Maybe now Hillary will put on a dress!
What's the difference? Bush will just have yet another recess appointment. He's a snake and he does what a snake does.
There is no way Dumbya will appoint an independent-minded person to AG. He can't. If he does, it is lights out for him and Cheney. Stop dreaming about it. It is Chertof or Harriet Myers.
Heh, heh, heh
So, who is second in command at Justice, and how long can he/she do the job before he/she *must* be replaced. Could it be that exactly nothing has really changed, except for a loss of focus and of course, running out of the clock?
Chertoff's appointment would continue his record of being appointed after the first choice was exposed as corrupt and unworthy - Kerik and then Fredo.
Chertoff should be reviled for his role in the Senate Whitewater investigation. The Clinton's had already been found innocent twice. Once by the Pillsbury report and once by Robert Fisk, the Republican special investigator appointed by Janet Reno (who appointed him because he was well respected and a Republican - that's how fair-minded Democrats do it). After 4 years of desperate investigation, Ken Starr and Robert Ray were forced to exonerate the Clintons yet again over Whitewater, Travelgate, FBI filegate etc. - everything but Lewinski.
Good thinking, Blanca! You're absolutely right-- the Commander Guy is such a wise dude! People can say what they want about BushCo, but they are definitely the producers of some of the blackest comedy I've ever read. It's just unfortunate it's not satire; it's real!
with gonzales out of the way, it is time to go for cheney's throat. and if pelosi tries to stop it, she should be tossed overboard without discussion.
Go get him Hillary.
It's time to impeach Cheney and Bush, get a new AG, and go after the lot of them, chase them all the way to the gates of hell, and make sure the bridge collapses behind them.
Back in 2005 (two short years ago), Hillary Clinton was praising Michael Chertoff for his competence:
http://www.vote-smart.org/speech_detail.php?sc_id=145183&keyword=chertof...
Statement of Senator Clinton on Her Vote on the Nomination of Michael Chertoff to be Secretary of Homeland Security
There is no position in government of greater importance to the security of our country and of my home state of New York than that of the Secretary of Homeland Security. It has been said before, but it bears repeating -- our Nation faces a new kind of challenge to our way of life. I have no doubt we will overcome this challenge, but we will do so only by maintaining and strengthening our civil society and our commitment to being a force for decency and respect for law in the world. After rigorous review of Judge Chertoff's testimony and my personal discussion with him, I have come to the conclusion that Judge Chertoff is professionally qualified to be Secretary of Homeland Security and that he understands and respects the values that the Secretary works to defend.
Judge Chertoff's stated commitment to threat-and vulnerability-based funding and his repeated expressions of support for policies that are essential to the security of New Yorkers are decisive factors in my decision to vote for his confirmation.
(snip)
Finally, I was pleased to learn that Judge Chertoff testified that his personal experiences have given him a thorough appreciation and respect for state and local perspectives. I agree wholeheartedly that we need to work in partnership with state and local governments. When it comes to securing the homeland, states and local communities must be full partners.
(more... )
Kissinger, (peanuts), rummy, newt, tommy bugkiller, kristolball,konrad koors...any of em should be able to do at least as well as frodo, but i'm not sure i'd give him any warning as to whom we'd approve. Bully bolton and pickering remain threats also for a recess appointment. How did we get here?
Kissinger, (peanuts), rummy, newt, tommy bugkiller, kristolball, konrad koors...any of em should be able to do at least as well as frodo, but i'm not sure i'd give him any warning as to whom we'd approve. Bully bolton and pickering remain threats also for a recess appointment. How did we get here?
Kissinger, (peanuts), rummy, newt, tommy bugkiller, kristolball, konrad koors...any of em should be able to do at least as well as frodo, but i'm not sure i'd give him any warning as to whom we'd approve. Bully bolton and pickering remain threats for a recess appointment. How did we get here?
Isn't General Noriega in the job market these days?
Why do you think Karl Treasure TRove was resignated from extinguished service?
As always, all options are under the table.
Defender of Liberty and Genuine Hero Karly Rove is now available to serve the Merrykin People of this great nation, People who love Freedom, I might add, at the behest of the Preznit of these Untied States.
George Butch doesn't have many untarnished friends so he's going to have to redeploy RRove...or maybe Condiment Rice Krispeeez...or Phony Baloney Snow...or Burton...or Wolf-o-Burger...or HEY! How about the guy who just hit all them home runs? What was his name?
Hey Poncho, yu right, Senior Noriega has plenty of experience with the (In)Justice Department - knows all the ins and outs - literally, but he studying French lessons now and is inoccupido -
Interesting
Any other muppet in the show will do :D personally I'd prefer Statler & Waldorf - the old guys in the box seat.
Only kidding, I live far from America and don't have a clue about your politics, except that I was glad this guy is off the show....
I have only one thing to say Patrick Fitzgerald. Imagine him with no constraints...Of course could Bushco fire him if he was getting to close to the truth?
Chertoff penned the Patriot Act, which is anything but patriotic. He's a Neo Con. His credentials scream anti-Americanism from the militant corporatist perspective. The last document he'd defend: The Constitution.
http://www.light-to-dark.com/pox_americana.html
If you like the way the Likud/Mossad treats Palestinians, then you'll love what he has in store for America.
http://www.light-to-dark.com/chertoffs_lament.html
Don't raise the bridge- lower the water.
What happened to this nation in the last century?
Don't raise the bridge- lower the water.
What happened to this nation in the last century?
i was just noticing, if any of these comments are slightly right leaning, they are flagged. none of the left leaning ones seem to be flagged. you all are political racists.
perhaps nothing makes Hillary Clinton more irate than the memory of that probe.
Memory? What memory?