DOJ plan to appoint replacements without Sen. confirmation
In the summary portion of the email, Griffin [sic] lays out his recommendation to use a legal loophole to install replacements without Senate confirmation."I am only in favor of executing on a plan to push some USAs out if we really are ready and willing to put in the time necessary to select candidates and get them appointed -- It will be counterproductive to DOJ operations if we push USAs out and then don't have replacements ready to roll immediately. In addition, I strongly recommend that as a matter of administration, we utilize the new statutory provisions that authorize the AG to make USA appointments.... we can give far less deference to home state senators and thereby get 1.) our preferred person appointed and 2.) do it far faster and more efficiently at less political costs to the White House."
"Griffin" is referring to Kyle Sampson - Gonzales's chief of staff at the Department of Justice who just resigned. Harriet Miers - Bush's lawyer at the White House - signed off on it.
Many folks at Daily Kos are [link|http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2007/3/13/22617/8814|riled up about it], and for good reason I think. The anti-terrorism laws shouldn't be used to give plum jobs to cronies with little "political cost". I haven't seen this aspect addressed in the major papers yet.
It looks like this story has a few more days of life left in it yet. And this is even before the announced congressional hearings with demands that Rove and Miers testify.
Cheers,
Scott.
