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More fishiness with the U.S. Attorneys Office? U.S. Attorney for San Francisco Kevin V. Ryan is out, according to the Wall Street Journal (sub. req.). His office is handling the investigation into back-dating of stock options, among other high-profile cases.
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Back to Shakespeare and killing all the lawyers, sage advice for cementing political revolution. This makes at least five US Attorneys removed in unusual circumstances since the November election.
By all accounts, none has been removed for reasons of competence or personal behavior, not even a credible desire "to spend more time with their families".
Reports of their replacements' credentials suggest that they are more junior, less talented and presumably more loyal to their patrons. Not coincidentally, the removed USA's have all run annoyingly competent investigations or held sway in the home districts of key Democratic opponents.
Mr. Rove reportedly dislikes no dirty trick except the one he hasn't thought of yet. Mr. Cheney is IntimidatorsRUS. Their pattern suggests that they hope to spike rumours that they are lame ducks, to stall or prevent investigations into their supporters or the administration itself, and launch investigations into opponents. A well-timed inuendo could be worth a thousand votes: "We haven't found anything, yet." I imagine that's much cheaper than buying television air time during campaign season. All in all, a kind of Neanderthal patronage and attack program that promises to make the next two years the dirtiest political campaign in American history. Congress has time to call attention to this practice, too.
January 16, 2007 11:30 AM | Reply | Permalink
It's a little scary. Scary enough to give me a second thought about all of those conspiracy theories a friend of mine always has.
Firing US Attorneys and replacing them without Senate approval pursuant to authority granted by the Patriot Act.
Yep, that's prime material for a conspiracy theory. And for good reason.
January 16, 2007 12:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
Replaced under authority granted in the Patriot Act?
And what did these prosecutors do that compromised national security? Are we seeing abuse of the Patriot Act for political ends?
January 16, 2007 12:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
Is there one branch of federal governmet that isn't awash in scandal or corruption these days? Does anyone enter politics any more merely to serve the public or is it all about gettin' yours while you can?
January 16, 2007 12:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
"Replaced under authority granted in the Patriot Act?
Posted by: Conrad"
According to JM, that is exactly what is happening.
http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/011956.php
January 16, 2007 12:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
Some possibilities:
1. It's just returning favors to loyal kapos.
2. It's a "vision" thing! US attorney position is a stepping stone to statewide political offices and judgeships. By placing loyal bozos in these positions, they are opening doors for allies to run for governor, senator, etc.
3. It's covering the collective ass. They know more investigations and indictments are coming down the line, so placing friendly faces along the way to throw roadblocks is a way to get out before the investigations reach too far. It gets too suspicious when investigations disappear into the giant JD hole in DC, so it's much better to nip them at the source, locally.
4. It's just showing who's in charge. Remember how many of these USAs have said in follow-up interviews that they "serve at the pleasure of the president". This seems to be a pre-determined language. Sure, it's a true statement, but, with so many relatively intelligent people, you'd think they would come up with different catch phrases. Or maybe they are trying to send a subtle message about the process.
January 16, 2007 12:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
Democrats to the rescue!
http://www.arkansasnews.com/archive/2007/01/12/WashingtonDCBureau/339592.html
January 16, 2007 1:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
Did anyone even read the Patriot Act before voting for it?
January 16, 2007 4:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
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