How Obama Will Handle U.S. Attorney Posts Still Unclear

[Qutzupalotl]

Source: Washington Post

The White House is under pressure from several fronts, both to appoint new prosecutors favored by members of Congress and, in other cases, to keep some U.S. attorneys from the Bush administration.

Several Bush holdovers, who were told before the inauguration that they could stay "for the time being," are making it known that they want to remain, citing the high-profile investigations they are pursuing. About 40 of the Bush appointees left of their own accord before the election, but dozens have stayed on.

.....

"I would caution the Obama administration against making wholesale removals of U.S. attorneys," said Mark Paoletta, who served in George H.W. Bush's Office of Presidential Personnel and in the White House counsel's office. Such a move, he said, "would unfortunately give the appearance of politicizing these law enforcement positions." But Melanie Sloan, a former prosecutor who serves as executive director of the Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, said the issue is somewhat fraught for the new team at Justice.

"They can't want all these people," she said. "These are all very, very conservative Republicans. I think it's going to be tricky, because if they do nine of them at once, the Republicans are going to scream exactly like the Democrats did."

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/12/AR2009031203736_pf.html?ref=fp1

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In case you're wondering why the Obama Justice Department is making the same arguments the Bush one did: in some cases, the same people are doing the arguing. Replacing them will take time.

[LiberalFighter]

1. I could care less what Paoletta has to say about this issue. He was there when GW politicize the AGs

The incoming President has the right to appoint anyone they want.

Here is the email that was sent to AGs in November 2004

Many of you have sought guidance regarding the Administration to the President's second term. This message serves to convey the entirety of the information we have at this point, and as more information becomes available it will be shared with you.

First, the President is tremendously grateful to you, and to every member of his team, for your hard work over the past four years. He recognizes the sacrifices that you and your family have made to enable you to serve, and he is deeply appreciative. America has looked at the President's record -- continuing success in the war on terror, violent crime at a 30-year low, and declining drug use among America's youth, among other successes -- and asked him to stay on the job. He is honored and humbled by the privilege to serve, as I know each of you are.

Second, as we move into this transition period, the President has decided that he will not ask for letters of resignation. That said, as always, each of us serves at the pleasure of the President.

Third, some of you have expressed interest in serving in other capacities in the Administration, both within the Department and elsewhere. If you would like to be considered for other opportunities, please let me know what position(s) and agency or agencies you are interested in and I will work together with White House Presidential Personnel on those matters.

Additionally, if you are intending to leave the Administration within the next three months, please let me know that as well.

As we move forward, the Attorney General thanks you for your continued service and asks that you stay focused on the job at hand. While it is appropriate and good to celebrate successes, we cannot let it detract from the ongoing critical mission of the Department. Thank you again, and please feel free to contact me with any questions.

Susan

Susan M Richmond
Advisor to the Attorney General
& White House Liaison
Office of the Attorney General
U.S. Department of Justice

[truebrit71]

2. Fire them all and put our own people in there. Why is this so FUCKING difficult to understand?

Goddamn it the rethugs had NO trouble being ruthless dicks, and we need to be TWICE as ruthless to clean up the fucking mess we were left with...

This dithering and dilly-dallying is starting to REALLY piss me off...

JUST FUCKING DO IT!!!!

[Robbien]

3. Hasn't every new president replaced all the USAttornies when taking office?

They may have keep a few, but mainly all USAs were asked to submit their resignations and most were accepted by the new president.

Or am I remembering this wrong?

[Qutzupalotl]

6. Some are refusing to submit their resignations.

Several Bush holdovers, who were told before the inauguration that they could stay "for the time being," are making it known that they want to remain, citing the high-profile investigations they are pursuing. About 40 of the Bush appointees left of their own accord before the election, but dozens have stayed on.

[florida08]

4. Obama needs to be careful

about the non partisan issue. It already backfired once with Judd Gregg. A spineless shill. Get rid of them all.

[Doctor_J]

5. Any Bush USA who survied the purge is corrupt and hyper-partisan

NONE of those appointees belong in public service any more.

[Qutzupalotl]

7. I agree. It was a mistake not to purge on day one.

But it does explain the contradiction between what Obama stands for and what these attorneys continue to argue. I thought that was worth pointing out here, since many believe Obama is the one doing the arguing, and that he supports all their positions.

[Belial]

8. Maybe we can appoint someone that hasn't broken

any laws or knows someone that has.. :)

[lsewpershad]

9. Fire them all

They cannot be trusted.

[santamargarita]

10. Anything that has Bush on it should be discarded at once!

Don't kick them out, throw them out!