A USA Today article reports on Dep Atty Gen Paul McNulty being raked over the coals by Sens Schumer and Leahy with their probing questions on what is behind the turnover in US Attorneys. McNulty takes the criticism personally.
Such examples of installing Bush loyalists wherever possible leads Paul Krugman to write an exceptional column with a perfect title, The Green-Zoning of America. (H/T to TruthOut.)
With all these hearings, we’d need a wall full of TV screens to follow them all, that is, if C-Span would take it up a few more notches!
I don’t think the senators give the whole story behind concerns that under Gonzales, there is an extra dimension to his choices for U.S. Attorneys.
With fewer than two years to go, the ultra-conservatives are pressing for two layers of conservative judicial nominees: current judicial nominees and U.S. Attorneys, the pool for future judicial nominees.
That is the long-term effect, certainly. I hope the bill is passed, and the Patriot Act amended.
The subject came up today on firedoglake.com, with some comments from the ePluribus Media bloggers. I looked at the Judiciary Committee home page, then returned to read the written statements by Mary Jo White and the others. The Washington lawyer, Stuart Gerson, wrote a v. long piece. Can’t imagine that he read it in its entirety, but I didn’t see the hearing, so am guessing.
Sen Schumer presided (I heard Leahy say he’s had the flu) and his comments are v. pointed and gutsy. Hope that C-Span will re-air the hearing in due course.
Sorry, I have the incorrect link above. This is the committee hearing notice that I meant to post.