"Fitzgerald's New Boss." Bad news if McNulty takes over or is it?

[KoKo]

(Isn't Fitzgerald supposed to have "Attorney General Powers" given to him by Comey before he stepped down. This is confusing) :shrug:

Fitzgerald's New Boss

Josh Marshall wonders what it might mean for the special prosecutor's case now that U.S. Attorney Paul McNulty has been nominated for the number-two job at the Justice Department. I suspect the short answer is: nothing good.

McNulty, U.S. Attorney for the very high-profile eastern district of Virginia, is the substitute for Tim Flanigan, the Abramoff-tainted nominee who withdrew his name earlier this month. Like Flanigan -- and unlike Fitzgerald -- McNulty is a Republican loyalist in the mold of the flatulant cable TV duo of Joe diGenova and Victoria Toensing, the Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn of partisan spin.

-snip-

In any case, it's clear that whatever his other qualities, McNulty is a far more typical partisan specimen of the species Prosecutori Federalus that the distressingly independent Fitzgerald. But what his elevation to Deputy AG will mean in practical terms I don't know. Presumably, when McNulty is confirmed (and given his GOP bones, I'm sure it's a when not an if) the acting AG power with respect to the Plame investigation that his predecessor signed over to career DOJ official David Margolis will devolve back to him.

But what he'll be able to do with that power is another matter. For the Bushaviks, McNulty's appointment may be too little, too late. By the time he takes office, Fitzgerald will have either handed down indictments or gone home. On the other hand, if charges are brought, a long, drawn-out prosecution presumably will present plenty of opportunities for the Justice Department to make its influence felt. And, if worse comes to worse, I suspect McNulty would be perfectly willing to play the role of Robert Bork in the new Saturday Night Massacre, and fire Fitzgerald -- and probably with more alacrity than Bork, who had to be talked out of resigning by Elliot Richardson.

So it seems to me that while McNulty is not an immediate threat, he's someone to keep a weather eye on. Assuming, of course, that this week will mark the beginning of the Plamegate litigation, and not the end of the Plamegate investigation.
http://billmon.org/

......................................................................

Prosecutor Nominated As Justice No. 2

By MARK SHERMAN
The Associated Press
Friday, October 21, 2005; 7:41 PM

WASHINGTON -- Paul McNulty, a federal prosecutor in Virginia, was chosen Friday by President Bush to serve as the No. 2 Justice Department official, following the withdrawal of a nominee who faced questions about his business ties.
-snip-
Bush's previous nominee for deputy Attorney General, Timothy E. Flanigan, withdrew his nomination in early October, citing uncertainty over when he would be confirmed. Senators complained that Flanigan lacked prosecutorial experience and also questioned his dealings with indicted Republican lobbyist Jack Abramoff.
McNulty, 47, is well-known on Capitol Hill. He served as spokesman for House Judiciary Committee Republicans during the impeachment of President Clinton. He later directed the Bush transition team for the Justice Department and worked in the deputy's office until Bush appointed him to the prosecutor's job in Virginia.
In the administration of President George H.W. Bush, McNulty served as the department's director of policy and communication.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/21/AR2005102101563.html

[xxqqqzme]

1. well, there is just no end

to the cronies who 'helped' * in one way or another. All getting their pay-backs B4 it is toooo late.


Gotta spread that neo-con joy around.

[ChiciB1]

2. And The Beat Goes ON!!

Will SOMEONE with balls please stop this Christianinsanity????

[electropop]

3. McNulty can't fire or direct Fitzgerald.

Fitzgerald's authorization essentially gives him power equal to the AG in the Plame case. It might be amusing to have an Abramoff crony in the job. Once Abramoff blows open (and it will, no matter who is in there), the new guy is blown out of the water.

[KoKo]

6. That's what "I" thought from my Liberal Blog Readin...BUT! what if our

"liberal blogs are wrong?" That's what bothered me about Marshall and Billmon's posts...they are "to me" our leading insight. If they think something's "Fishy"...then should we be worried? CAN McNulty FIRE Fitz and the Right Wing goes into the Kerry Swift Boat Mode?

:shrug: I wish I knew....

[electropop]

17. Fitz's letters of authorization look pretty strong.

It's not really about blog opinions.

[graywarrior]

4. I'd love to see them try it.

[EC]

5. I thought I read somewhere that

McNulty was tainted also?

[KoKo]

7. Yes...if you read the "links" I gave you ...you will understand....n/t

[No Exit]

8. Since he's that beholden to the Bush politicos, McNulty has a conflict

of interest. Therefore, he should step aside from supervision of Fitzgerald.

[wishlist]

9. McNulty is prosecutor who got Larry Franklin and AIPAC lobbyists indicted

McNulty was in charge of the AIPAC investigation and issued indictments last August against Larry Franklin and two others involved in AIPAC scandal.

When announcing those indictments he issued a strong statement about the criminality of the dissemination of classified information:

"When it comes to classified information there is a clear line in the law. Those entrusted with safeguarding our nation's secrets must remain faithful to that trust. Those not authorized to receive classified information must resist the temptation to acquire it no matter what their motivation may be."

Perhaps he will be supportive of Fitzgerald's indictments since they will probably involve communication of classified information.

[KoKo]

10. I was thinking that, too...until I read Billmon's post about what's REAL..

I have the "link" in my original post...please read it and get back with YOUR opinion? :shrug:

[KoKo]

11. WHAT IF...McNulty "comes on board Bushie...and cancels Fitzt Investigation

What happens then. We know the Bush Regime is in a "cornered Rat Position" where they will attack with fanged teeth and claws to defend their "Right" to "Invade and Occupy Iraq."

:shrug:

[cassiepriam]

12. If this were a movie I'd never believe it.And we haven't seen anything yet

[H2O Man]

13. If you knew McNulty

you would not worry. First, he couldn't stop Fitzgerald if he wanted to. Second, he doesn't want to. He is a friend of Fitzgerald's, and he is in charge of busting the neocon spy/AIPAC scandal -- and is doing a good job at it.

This isn't the time for democrats and progressives to be worrying. Things are good.

[KoKo]

14. Thanks for your insight...BUT...

My concern was reading McNulty's bio from Billmon's link. This guy is as big a Repug Creep as Mehlman and the rest of the Repug/Clones.

How could he possibly be a friend of Fitz?

:shrug: I need the encouragement!

[grasswire]

15. The fix is in. McNulty is a Bush FIXER.

He was instrumental in the Florida recount, among other things.

He's a FIXER. Scum.

[Elidor]

16. McNulty and Chertoff have worked together at Justice

They brought successful charges and prison terms against the DrinkOrDie Warez ring in 2002:

"United States Attorney Paul J. McNulty and Michael Chertoff, Assistant Attorney General for the Criminal Division, announced today that John Sankus, Jr., age 28, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to 46 months in federal prison by the Honorable Leonie M. Brinkema, United States District Judge, for conspiring to violate the criminal copyright laws as the leader of one of the oldest and largest international software piracy rings on the Internet. A co-conspirator, Barry Erickson, was sentenced to 33 months’ imprisonment on May 2, 2002. The sentences are the longest ever imposed for organized Internet software piracy.

http://www.cybercrime.gov/sankusSent.htm