Picking Gonzales' replacement

Posted: Monday, August 27, 2007 1:26 PM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: White House

From NBC's Kelly O'Donnell
Sources tell NBC News that it "won't be a long, drawn out" process to pick Gonzales' successor as attorney general. The window is possibly the end of this week when the president is back in DC and before his APEC trip to Australia. That is an insider's estimation on timing.

A "very,very short list" of people knew about the Gonzales resignation. Gonzales presented his letter in person Sunday. The letter has not been made available yet. It is also "not out of the realm of possibility" that other senior White House officials will announce their departures soon, a source said, but did not say who or when.

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Comments

Would that count as a recess appointment?

nuanced (Sent Monday, August 27, 2007 1:38 PM)

GEE, I WANTED TO INTERVIEW FOR THE JOB. I CAN REMEMBER THINGS SO I'AM WELL QUALIFIED.

Z (Sent Monday, August 27, 2007 1:41 PM)

the same sources that knew where the WMD were.The same sources who exposed a CIA agent the same sources who said the president fired the attorneys, when he knew nothing,Which sources think finding and getting a neocon lawbreaking constitutional breaker attorney passed is going to be easy

Kenn"one the hard way"O (Sent Monday, August 27, 2007 1:41 PM)

PICK ME ! PICK ME ! PICK ME !

Z (Sent Monday, August 27, 2007 1:41 PM)

THROW THE BUMS, OUT !!

DON'T BRING THE BUMS, BACK !!

Obama/Edwards '08
Enough of crooked DC insiders !!

Sierra, San Francisco (Sent Monday, August 27, 2007 1:46 PM)

I want the next AG to press the FBI to find out who was responsible for those anthrax mailings in October 2001 (the enemy within).

Desmond (Sent Monday, August 27, 2007 1:50 PM)

Does anyone else get "server error" when they try to open the item above this one entitled "Bush: 'Important Step' in Iraq?

Independent, Texas (Sent Monday, August 27, 2007 1:59 PM)

THESE BLOGS ARE A PERFECT EXAMPLE OF WHY THE DEMS (OOPS PROGRESSIVES) WILL HAVE TROUBLE WINNING ANYTHING IN 2008. YOU GUYS VILIFY EVERYTHING. YOU NEVER ANYTHING OF SUBSTANCE TO PRESENT. JUST BS, ALL THE TIME. "I HATE HIM BECAUSE HE IS A REPUKE, I HATE HIM BECAUSE HE AGREES WITH BUSH, I HATE HIM BECAUSE HE IS DUMB, I HATE HIM BECAUSE IM SMARTER THAN HE IS", THIS IS THE STUFF THAT I HOPE GIVE YOU A BREAKDOWN IN 2008.

IntheMiddle, Texas (Sent Monday, August 27, 2007 2:02 PM)

RUMOR HAS IT LAURA BUSH IS UP FOR THE JOB.

Mark Y. Word,Freemont, Ca. (Sent Monday, August 27, 2007 2:04 PM)

Keep alert to the big news story that will happen within 6 weeks. "Vice-President Dick Chenny, on advice from his doctors, announced he will be retiring due to health reasons!!" This will give Decider the opportunity to bring in his replacement for next Nov 08 to continue the status quo. Probably Fred Thompson which will give him the advantage over Rommney & Giuliani and leave the rest of us up a creek.

Terry CC Iowa (Sent Monday, August 27, 2007 2:17 PM)

Interesting scenario Terry. If he wanted to follow in Nixon's footsteps, he would put in a Gerald Ford type as VP and then resign. All of the Republican candidates would be left sucking wind. It would be the only chance at keeping the White House.

nuanced (Sent Monday, August 27, 2007 2:35 PM)

InTheMiddle, the same garbage is pumped out over the rightwing talk radio airwaves when it comes to the 'repukes' so your point is... what?

Look, you guys on the right are just as nasty - even more so - so quitcherwhinin'!

M. Boley (Sent Monday, August 27, 2007 2:37 PM)

I just had a thought. What if he puts Jeb Bush in for VP to try and continue the dynasty.

nuanced (Sent Monday, August 27, 2007 2:38 PM)

Terry CC Iowa (Sent Monday, August 27, 2007 2:17 PM)

That brings a really interesting question. Other than Ford, has any other person been "named" to be VP w/o an election?

I don't think so. I do remember that Ford was named because he was commissioned with the task of getting Nixon out of office.

I don't know how such a process would look now. Does anyone know?

Independent, Texas (Sent Monday, August 27, 2007 2:39 PM)

It doesn't matter who Bush appoints, the Dems will find something wrong with him or her too. After all, they would be a member of the Bush administration. Hopefully for this person, their term at the JD won't be long enough for the Dem smear machine to take it's toll like it did with the others.

Ryan Olson, Holmen WI (Sent Monday, August 27, 2007 2:39 PM)

It is so odd that Republicans posting here are more concerned with partisanship than the rule of law.

Tom Staten Island, NY (Sent Monday, August 27, 2007 2:39 PM)

This is no time to take the eye off the ball. Gonzo is quite possibly guilty of both perjury and obstruction of justice and if so others within the administration will be guilty of same through their participation. Furthermore there's probably some kind of machination in the works to try to make this whole thing fade away with Gonzo and foist upon us someone who is even more authoritarian and callous in his disregard for the law. IntheMiddle; So all Dems are just a bunch of haters, the standard conservative line of BS. How's this http://www.salon.com/politics/war_room/2007/08/24/nugent/index.html for a hater? Scoff if you like because it's a Salon link, the Youtube video speaks for itself.

John B, Des Moines, IA (Sent Monday, August 27, 2007 2:41 PM)

Looks and sounds like you are having the BREAKDOWN INTHEMIDDLE. Enjoy.

HOT DAM (Sent Monday, August 27, 2007 2:48 PM)

inthemiddletexas, news flash for you: if you were called unpatriotic by a group of people (repuks) because you disagreed with them and you had you legs blown off while serving in combat, then you would understand why people are so disgusted with this administration. They deserve what they get.

Terry, Disabled Vet, Des Moines, IA (Sent Monday, August 27, 2007 2:49 PM)

Replacement for gonzo? Some encampments need to be cleaned out. What's Janet Reno up to these days?

Sparky Lyle (Sent Monday, August 27, 2007 2:50 PM)

How about Barney? Hed be able to answer more questions than Gonzo. One woof yes and two woofs no.

AOwaytogoOhio-flooded again (Sent Monday, August 27, 2007 2:53 PM)

Independent, Texas--
Under the 25th amendement, the president nominates a VP and sends that nomination to Congress, where a majority of both the House and Senate must approve that selection.

Siegfried, Central Illinois (Sent Monday, August 27, 2007 2:55 PM)

YOU GUYS VILIFY EVERYTHING. YOU NEVER ANYTHING OF SUBSTANCE TO PRESENT. JUST BS, ALL THE TIME. Its so easy to vilify when the White House is full of vilins.

Bob Kokomo IN (Sent Monday, August 27, 2007 2:59 PM)

Z -- great party! I just requested "hit the road jack" from the DJ.

nuanced (Sent Monday, August 27, 2007 3:11 PM)

The Next AG should understand that they work for the American people not a political party.

WDRussell, East Liverpool, Ohio (Sent Monday, August 27, 2007 3:12 PM)

We are nasty, Karl Rove was the best thing to happen to demos and the bipartisan efforts they put forth since sliced bread ,Karl taught us how to walk and talk and kick the sh*t out our enemies it just so happens the right wing are our enemies, just as the democrats are yours.Win by one vote thats all we could care less about right wing agendas or sharing power the repubs never did so fight for your rights dont ask for them.No quarter given no quarter expected.We will get who we want or he or she wont be voted on,recess appoint show hilliary how to do it when she gets in,all the chicken hawks can come home to roost.

Kenn"karls my hero "O (Sent Monday, August 27, 2007 3:22 PM)

Independent--

Siegfried is correct as to the process. But Ford was appointed by Nixon to replace Spiro Agnew, who resigned after being charged with a tax-related charge to which he later pleaded "no contest." Ford was not put in to ease Nixon out; it just seemed that way to some.

Richard Fifield, Easton, PA (Sent Monday, August 27, 2007 3:24 PM)

The bigger question is, if Chenney steps down...would anyone take the job?

Al, KS (Sent Monday, August 27, 2007 3:26 PM)

One word, Bush: Tom DeLay. Or is that three words? I may be up for a class in remedial fuzzy math.

JIrby, Colorado (Sent Monday, August 27, 2007 3:34 PM)

Siegfried, Central Illinois (Sent Monday, August 27, 2007 2:55 PM)

Thanks!

Independent, Texas (Sent Monday, August 27, 2007 3:50 PM)

Independent Texas......Nelson Rockefeller was likewise an unelected V.P., having been selected to replace Ford when he took over the Presidency after Nixon's resignation.

J. Merle Stanley, Westchester, NY (Sent Monday, August 27, 2007 3:55 PM)

nuanced...don't scare me like that. Jeb Bush to take over for Chaney, I would not put it past them. Say Y make me a strong drink and turn up the music.

Z, the last letter standing (Sent Monday, August 27, 2007 3:59 PM)

Is everbody happy ? Free drinks for all ! And then I would like to make a toast. This is to Pat Lehey, your one hella of a guy, keep up the good work! Gonzo-Gate it sure as hell is not going to fade away.

Z---zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz (Sent Monday, August 27, 2007 4:04 PM)

Janet Reno? Now the rules here are it's not fair to bring up anything that happened in the Clinton administration even though that's what they are running on.

Dave, Tn (Sent Monday, August 27, 2007 4:22 PM)

I requested "HAPPY DAYS ARE HERE AGAIN" an oldie, a very old oldie but a goodie!
THANKS nuanced

H P Boston (Sent Monday, August 27, 2007 4:23 PM)

How easy it is to forget the gridlock we had before 06 Dem victory. You all have such selective memories about how the GOP went after everything Clinton tried to do including his personel life which you found so disgusting. Isn't it amazing how what goes around comes around!!! People who live in glass houses shouldn't toss stones. We've certainly been well tutored in the Art of lying and making false claims. I'll bet St. Peter is licking his chops to grill this group of Repulican moral majority. Asbestos clothing and a top notch ACLU attorney should be a good starting point when these "Morally Superiors" reach the Prealy Gates'; Dick and Karl should get a seeing-eye dog they can't see the Truth.

Jessie,Kingsport,TN (Sent Monday, August 27, 2007 4:45 PM)

->>> PICK ME ! PICK ME ! PICK ME !

All right, all right, top the fussing. You can be First Idiot. But make sure you other libby friends get a chance, they are just as deserving.

Brenda Anderson (Sent Monday, August 27, 2007 4:54 PM)

so if this AG tells his employees to investigate and prosecute voter fraud...something we should all want to see happen.....and they stonewall or refuse, does the new AG have to get permission from Chuck Schumer to do his job and fire them? Or does Sen. Schumer get to play politics and divert everyones attention from the fact that we have a systematic effort from the left to stuff the ballot box in these close elections?

K., Austin (Sent Monday, August 27, 2007 4:55 PM)

How about Barney? Hed be able to answer more questions than Gonzo. One woof yes and two woofs no.

Barney's being held in reserve for when he is selected by the Reps for VP. They want to make the VP debate with the Dems fair and balanced.

Sean Olford, Hobard IN (Sent Monday, August 27, 2007 4:56 PM)

Does "rats" and "sinking ship" ring a bell.

Can you believe Chertoff is being rumored as near the head of the list. Talk about one of the most political
lockstep clones of the Evil Kingdom. Shrub might as well try to bring "Brownie" back! M. Ch. and he are both about as unqualified.

Nick Dorsey (Sent Monday, August 27, 2007 5:04 PM)

In the muddle- Can you say HYPOCRITE. When Clinton was in office you and all of your kool-aid drinkers threw everything at him including millions of tax payors $$$$$$$$$ on Ken Starr's FISHING EXPEDITION finding NOTHING including Whitewater, bogus travelgate(oh my god), Foster's suicide only coming up with lieing about a BJ. So spare us your sense of indignity and save it for the millions of Iraquies and Americans who have died, sufferred, and forced to imigrate to save their lives.

juan, ft lauderdale, fl (Sent Monday, August 27, 2007 5:26 PM)

Ah come on Nick Chertoff was the only AG Clinton didn't fire. There must be something you like about him.

Dave, Tn (Sent Monday, August 27, 2007 5:37 PM)

Dave- Koolaid drinker #1- Janet Reno is beyond reproach unlike "I do not recall" Gonzo who thought it was find to manipulate Ashcroft balely conscious, The Geneva Convention was quiant, and illegal wiretaps because he is the flunky for the shrub. Reno took the the responsiblity for the mistake of Waco from day one and do not even go their with Elian Gonzalez unlike the lies and coverup of this administration you love so much UNLIKE the 70% who are counting the days he's finally gone and go down as worst excuse of a president EVER.

juan,ft lauderdale,fl (Sent Monday, August 27, 2007 6:07 PM)

I'm putting my money on Harriet Myers or Ari Fleisher.

Richard, Washington State (Sent Monday, August 27, 2007 7:00 PM)

This whole thing is a lesson in human nature, boys and girls: Gonzo didn't quit because of fear of prison---he knew he had a presidential Stay Out Of Jail Free card all along---it was pure VANITY! His underlings and subordinates were planning a mutiny, mass resignations, lots and lots and lots of going-to-the-press to tell the country just how much of an incompetent, partisan suck-up he was...and THAT would have been EMBARRASSING! So it was fear of personal ema\barrassment that brought the slimey little weasel down, pure and simple vanity.
As to who succeeds him, Bush may try to slip in a partisan fool again, but Congress won't let him get away with it. In the end, it'll be some moderate Republican who generally---but not viciously---toes Bush's line. Bush just hopes it's not someone honest enough to blow the whistle on all the evil going on in the White House-run DoJ.

Class Warrior, D.C. (Sent Monday, August 27, 2007 7:14 PM)

Go to bed, it late.

z (Sent Monday, August 27, 2007 7:16 PM)

Dave, Tn says: Janet Reno? Now the rules here are it's not fair to bring up anything that happened in the Clinton administration even though that's what they are running on.

Hey, I'm serious. Put her in charge of cleaning out some of the gangs in the inner cities, and we can watch CNN and see the columns of smoke rise. That woman is a loose cannon and a killer.

Sparky Lyle (Sent Monday, August 27, 2007 10:49 PM)

Bring back janet reno...we need some of these right wing christian enclaves burned down

Rick, WS, NC (Sent Tuesday, August 28, 2007 8:02 AM)

Reno took the the responsiblity for the mistake of Waco from day one . . .

What does it mean to 'take responsibility' for that botched publicity stunt, when you keep your job and face no other consequences? She avoided the Pontius Pilate rap by not washing her hands of it, I guess. Why not 'take responsibility?' _I'll_ take responsibility, as long as there's no consequences & I get to ride the golden parachute.

It's fun watching Prince George's court implode, but let's not get carried away. Even the administration of The Greatest Man Alive, Bill Clinton, had some problems, some of which contributed to this current idiot sneaking in in 2000. (Elian.)

wellstone revenge brigade (Sent Tuesday, August 28, 2007 8:15 AM)

Juan: The idea that Reno was ''above reproach''is patently ridiculous and is not borne out by any facts. She easily rises to the level of incompetence shared by Gonzales.

Despite the controversy at Waco, even veteran FBI and BATF agents who have since retired acknowlage that Reno stupidly handled the Branch Davidian siege.[DISCOVERY/TIMES Channel ''Standoff At Waco'' 2006 and ''Waco:Rules Of Engagement'' DVD/VHS]. In an effort to cover up mistakes,key pieces of evidence tied to the botched raid were ''disappeared'' by Justice Dept. investigators,never to be seen again even after they were chronicled in photo and video form. The scope of the Reno mishandling of the raid remains classified to this day.
Renos failure to hire a special prosecutor to investigate the DNC/TEAMSTERS fundraising scandal in the 1996 election was purely politically motivated. DNC Chair Terry McAuliffe avoided jail only by this failure. That the GOP-led Congress also failed in leaning hard on Reno to get to the bottom of this as well as the Chinese fundraising mess which implicated the highest-level officials of the Clinton administration is a given. However,this remains one of the most dastardly purchases by a foreign power of an American political party in its history and the Reno JD acted in a lame fashion,acceding to its masters in a political fashion.
From Elian Gonzalez to Jamie Gorelicks[Reno Asst.AG], intelligence ''Wall'',from missle technology transfers to the Chinese to willfully steering the FBI away from the scrutinization of certain Muslim males who were setting up the 9/11 attacks,her reign was marked by one continuous failure after another. Even her fellow Democrats turned from her in dismay when she tried to run for office in Florida after the end of the Clinton administration. She would become a Jonah worthy of a Melville novel.

Lee Holmes (Sent Tuesday, August 28, 2007 8:46 AM)

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