Sestak Takes Aim At Specter For Blocking Key Obama Nominee (Dawn Johnsen)

[babylonsister]

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/10/sestak-takes-aim-at-specter-for-blocking-key-obama-nominee.php?ref=fpb

Sestak Takes Aim At Specter For Blocking Key Obama Nominee


Rep. Joe Sestak (D-PA) has found a new lever in his primary campaign against Sen. Arlen Specter (D-PA). Sestak is hitting Specter for his early (and possibly continuing) opposition to the confirmation of Dawn Johnsen, whom President Obama nominated to head the Justice Department's Office of Legal Counsel back in February.

"As the administration deals with crucial legal issues from interrogating and prosecuting terrorists to closing the detention center at Guantanamo Bay, Arlen Specter and Senate Republicans have decided to tie the President's hands by denying him a critical advisor," Sestak says in a new statement.

The move comes as Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, amid pressure from the left, takes aim at Republicans for obstructing the confirmation of dozens of Obama nominees.

When he joined the Democratic party earlier this year, Specter said he'd continue to oppose Johnsen's confirmation. Months later, Johnsen supporters privately say Specter probably isn't a major factor in the continuing stall. But he still hasn't said publicly that he'll support her confirmation. Sestak's move could push him in that direction.

[annabanana]

1. This "Democrat" is helping the Republicans give us a severe case

of Congresstipation.

[pinto]

2. Good move - politically and practically.

from the Wiki entry for Ms. Johnsen.

Professional career

Johnsen worked for the American Civil Liberties Union as a staff counsel fellow on a one-year fellowship from 1987 until 1988, and then worked for the National Abortion & Reproductive Rights Action League (currently NARAL Pro-Choice America) from 1988 until 1993. From 1993 to 1998, Johnsen worked in the Office of Legal Counsel. She was a Deputy Assistant Attorney General from 1993 until 1996, and served as Acting Assistant Attorney General heading the OLC from 1997 until 1998. Johnsen joined the Indiana University faculty in 1998 upon leaving government service.

Johnsen is a member of the national board of the American Constitution Society for Law and Policy.

Nomination to Office of Legal Counsel

On April 16, 2009 Johnsen's nomination to head the Office of Legal Counsel was endorsed by the Society of American Law Teachers, which described her as "an expert on Constitutional Law with an impressive resume of scholarship that illustrates the depth of her understanding of American jurisprudence."<6>

[babylonsister]

4. Hopefully this will 'encourage' Specter to change his tune. nt

[Torn_Scorned_Ignored]

3. What are the Republicans so worried about?

I mean seriously, they didn't have a problem with the Bush Admins Justice Department's Office of Legal Counsel...

[Swamp Rat]

5. k&r