Monday, August 27, 2007
AG Gonzalez and President Bush Faced Reality
Earlier this morning Associated Press reported from Crawford,TX, about expected announcement of the resignation of AG Alberto Gonzalez. It took a while to sink in but President Bush realized that his attorney general's position had become untenable. The AG himself read a short statement a few minutes past 7:30 confirming the report. He didn't take any questions. Later, The President, in his statement, offered high praise for Gonzalez.
Who Will be the Successor
The nominee for the position will face a quite different Congress than AG Gonzalez did. Much as the president would like to have an attorney general for whom loyalty to him would take first place, that might not happen. The Senate Judicial Committee will not, cannot, rubber-stamp the president's choice. DHS Chief Michael Chertoff's records are far from laudatory. He will be in turbulent waters during the confirmation hearings.
Among the names being mentioned as possible candidates is former Missouri senator John Danforth. Danforth had also briefly served as the U.S. Ambassador to the UN. While Danforth might be well received by Democrats, for conservative Republicans that very fact would be a black mark against him.
The President's Vacation
Unlike previous years there was no announcement from the White House about books that the president took with him to read during his vacation at Crawford. One can understand that the president has enough on his plate to keep him occupied but the reading list, consisting mostly of weighty tomes, always caused surprise. Maybe the man has hidden depths. Too bad that this summer he is not enlightening his mind with books.
*****
- THE PRESIDENT: This morning, Attorney General Alberto Gonzales announced that he will leave the Department of Justice, after two and a half years of service to the department. Al Gonzales is a man of integrity, decency and principle. And I have reluctantly accepted his resignation, with great appreciation for the service that he has provided for our country.
Who Will be the Successor
The nominee for the position will face a quite different Congress than AG Gonzalez did. Much as the president would like to have an attorney general for whom loyalty to him would take first place, that might not happen. The Senate Judicial Committee will not, cannot, rubber-stamp the president's choice. DHS Chief Michael Chertoff's records are far from laudatory. He will be in turbulent waters during the confirmation hearings.
Among the names being mentioned as possible candidates is former Missouri senator John Danforth. Danforth had also briefly served as the U.S. Ambassador to the UN. While Danforth might be well received by Democrats, for conservative Republicans that very fact would be a black mark against him.
The President's Vacation
Unlike previous years there was no announcement from the White House about books that the president took with him to read during his vacation at Crawford. One can understand that the president has enough on his plate to keep him occupied but the reading list, consisting mostly of weighty tomes, always caused surprise. Maybe the man has hidden depths. Too bad that this summer he is not enlightening his mind with books.
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Dear Musafir,
I was looking for Thomas Hardy's poem, "Waiting Both," when I found it w/your name beneath. When I clicked on your name, I discovered this blog. Enjoyed reading your "musings."
Just got my own blog up and rolling. Still green at it. All best.
http://claycarpet.blogspot.com/
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I was looking for Thomas Hardy's poem, "Waiting Both," when I found it w/your name beneath. When I clicked on your name, I discovered this blog. Enjoyed reading your "musings."
Just got my own blog up and rolling. Still green at it. All best.
http://claycarpet.blogspot.com/
<< Home
