Comments (13)

johnnydoughey wrote on July 18, 2007 3:18 PM:

Hasn't it been reported that the DOJ no longer needs confirmation to appoint staff? I thought this was part of that little known clause the Congress and Senate (those folks looking out for us) didn't bother reading due to some scheduling (parties, campaigns, travelling junkets, lobby donations) conflicts...

If so, is this threat by the Judiciary Committee more of a whimper than a threat?

Tom Wood wrote on July 18, 2007 3:25 PM:

Morford is the safest choice Gonzales could make under the circs. He has been Mr. Fixit after at least two other DOJ fiascos, as reported here:

http://www.nashvillepost.com/news/2007/7/18/nashvilles_departing_us_attorney_to_replace_ousted_aide_to_gonzales

-Tom in Nashville

Anonymous wrote on July 18, 2007 4:45 PM:

"I thought this was part of that little known clause"

it was overturned via an amendment to a bill, i believe.

Anonymous wrote on July 18, 2007 5:08 PM:

Not to be paranoid, but don't the subpoenaed RNC emails currently reside in Morford's district? Making a deal or making way for one?

BTW, security codes randomly chosen from a pool of words selected for their irony potential aren't interesting enough to merit including in your post.

Hardheaded Liberal wrote on July 18, 2007 5:33 PM:

"Tom in Nashville"--

The linked article only discusses the 2004 internal review where Morford recommended consenting to a new trial as to terrorism charges while convictions on those terrorism charges were pending on appeal. Does anyone know of another DOJ "fiasco" that Morford cleaned up?

Morford's recommendation of a new trial on the terrorism charges appears to have been a textbook example of a principled review by a highly professional career prosecutor. Morford apparently was following Robert Jackson's famous remark to prosecutors, to the effect that the prosecution wins whenever Justice is done, not only when a defendant is convicted of a crime.

IF Morford's review of the terrorism convictions is characteristic of the professional integrity he has shown throughout his career, he would be an excellent nominee for a high post at DOJ. I would guess he was nominated because the administration can highlight his principled review of the terrorism convictions.

PS Do I recall correctly that the requirement for Senate confirmation was suspended only as to appointments of replacement US Attorneys? I don't think the requirement for Senate confirmation was ever removed for positions like Deputy Attorney General.

PPS As to trolls like johnnydoughey, TPM might consider screening his posts. His post above illustrates the fact that virtually everything he posts is inaccurate. Not that that distinguishes his posts from other wingnut trolls.

Anonymous wrote on July 18, 2007 6:01 PM:

Key signal to Gonzalez, DoJ, and the President: If you don't cooperate with We the People, you don't get a chance to have your nominees considered.

Continued arrogance puts your programs on the table for budget cuts.

Lobbyists paid you to get contracts, and you are not able to perform. Failed oversight means you cannot oversee these budgets. No money for you.

Choose between assenting to Our Will, with full cooperation without condition; or you shall be denied power, options, funding, and support.

You have no choice.

DemTN wrote on July 18, 2007 6:18 PM:

Morford is the real deal -- a fantastic and straight-shooting prosecutor. Read the NYT coverage of the US Atty meetings: He was one of the many that complained about it to AGAG. He has a great, non-partisan reputation and really will be a credit to DOJ. Wonder how the heck he got appointed...

johnnydoughey wrote on July 18, 2007 7:44 PM:

Hardheaded Liberal:
Sir:
I very much apologize for asking a question. I do this once in awhile because, unlike some folks, I do not know everything and sometimes ask questions when I am not sure.
If it bothers you, please just post somewhere early on, and I will do a search. If I find your name, I will browse and not post, as you apparently believe I am some kind of troll, with nothing in mind but to harass you.
Again, I apologize for disturbing YOUR blog...

Anonymous wrote on July 18, 2007 11:27 PM:

If Morford is the real deal, Gonzales might just think moving him away from the RNC computers is worth the unfortunate price of having a straight shooter as deputy.

Kent Mueller wrote on July 18, 2007 11:56 PM:

Why not give the boys an easy pass on this one? Morford seems competent and maybe even respectful of the letter and (something new) the spirit of the law. The department needs a deputy, especially a competent one because, well you know, why belabor the obvious?

I don't think he's being brought in to further the cover-up or break more laws -- they have their hands full covering up the cover-up. He has wide respect as such things go with the DoJ these days.

This might in fact signal that the crest of their arrogance has passed. Among other things, he's probably being brought in to calm the waters of the current USAT's morale and mood.

regular lurker wrote on July 18, 2007 11:58 PM:

Roberts looked like a "straight shooter" in comparison to Miers. To some degree Roberts is, but unfortunately for the citizens of this country he views law through the lens of his corporate interests not the Bill of Rights.

modmom wrote on July 19, 2007 9:10 AM:

Look like Morford has made a few enemies:

http://www.craig-morford.com/

FactCheck wrote on July 19, 2007 2:32 PM:

Um, for all you RNC server folks, the servers in question reside in Chattanooga, which is in the Eastern District of Tennessee. Morford was the acting US Atty for the Middle District.