US Attorney General Thread - Picks?

[Median Democrat]

My take is why not Jennifer Granholm, Biden's debate sparring parter? She is in her second term, a former state AG, and governor of Michigan.Also, even though she is a former beauty pageant winner, she is a former prosecutor, and is a UC Berkeley and Harvard Law school graduate.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jennifer_Granholm

[avaistheone1]

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

[mod mom]

7. EPA.

[Liberal In Texas]

66. Al Gore.

[tazvil04]

45. The Best Choice

:applause:

RFK, Jr. is the best choice for the job...

Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.'s speech at the Sierra Summit, September 10, 2005

“…..I'll close with a proverb from the Lakota people that all of you have heard, that's been adopted by the environmental movement. They said we didn't inherit this planet from our ancestors; we borrowed it from our children.

I would add to that: We must return to our children something that is roughly the equivalent of what we received, not just in the quality of the environment but in the integrity of the values that have been handed down through generations of Americans.

I look at this White House and I ask myself --and this may be unfair -- but I ask myself a lot of times, how did they get so many draft dodgers in one place? You know, the President; Dick Cheney, five deferments; John Ashcroft, six deferments. Paul Wolfowitz, Richard Perle, Tom DeLay, Dennis Hastert, Rush Limbaugh. There are a lot of people who dodged the draft during the Vietnam War, and I know a lot of them. Most of them did it because they had moral qualms about that war. But not these people. These people loved the war; they just wanted somebody else to fight it. And it occurs to me that the reason for that is that these are people who don't understand the values that make America worth fighting for. But America is worth fighting for, and it's worth dying for. Those of us who know that it's worth fighting for have to take it back now from those who don't. Thank you very much.” http://www.sierraclub.org/utilities/ printpage.asp?REF=/pressroom/speeches/2005-09- 10rfkjr.asp

[Jackpine Radical]

1. Vincent Bugliosi.

That's my final offer.

[cliffordu]

17. YES!!!!!

[Lucian]

2. I still like John Edwards.

[Median Democrat]

13. Jennifer Granholm Also Offers Long Term Upside

Granholm has the executive experience, and if she is appointed AG, it gives her future viability as a Presidential candidate.

[Staph]

15. Granholm has no future as a Presidential candidate.

She was born in Canada, and is a naturalized US citizen.

[Median Democrat]

16. Ah crap. That Sucks.

Would be nice to have some future talent in Obama's cabinet. Maybe Granholm could be a future S. Ct. Justice.

[blue_onyx]

58. It's too bad because she would do a great job

I think this needs to be changed. Not just for her but for all foreign born Americans. We keep talking about how Obama proved that anyone can be president. Well, it's not completely true since immigrants, who add just as much to our country as native born citizens, can't reach the top. This is an outdated law that needs to be fixed.

[CalGator]

22. his qualifications aren't that strong

Yes, he has the requisite law degree and probably has enough buddies in the Senate to pass confirmation, but he was never a DA, AG, etc. From what I recall he was mostly a tort lawyer and not involved as much in criminal justice.

Granholm would be an excellent pick, as would a few other suggestions on this thread.

[Teaser]

39. Well get a time machine, go back and

stop him from screwing around. Or at least tell him to be more discrete. Then maybe you'll get him as AG.

[MattBaggins]

41. We could get Elliot Spitzer as his Deputy

[tazvil04]

47. No way.

The scandal he brought about -- the way he was willing to risk throwing any chance for a Dem victoyr away if the affair came out...

Not a team player IMHO...

[grace0418]

60. And, on top of all of that,

cheating on his terminally ill wife is kinda hard for anyone to forgive or forget.

[Nedsdag]

56. Edwards is too radioactive. n/t

[Ozma]

67. You have GOT to be kidding, right?

[Lucian]

78. ...

:eyes:

[carnie_sf]

81. Me too

[justiceischeap]

3. How about Fitzmas? (eom)

[Cary]

9. I second this nomination.

The man knows how to do the job right.

[Mojorabbit]

40. I'll third that. nt

[Ganja Ninja]

72. No thanks. Lets find a Democrat.

[orwell]

4. Janet Napolitano...n/t

[Sebastian Doyle]

25. Not a good idea.

Janet would probably be a good AG, but it would leave Arizona with a neocon Puke named Jan Brewer as governor.

And there's also built in fodder for the Repukes here..... just think about it. Comparisons to the previous Democratic AG. For more than one reason......

Yeah, you know they would do it. :puke:

[SoxFan]

53. I'd love to see Napolitano as AG!

Tough but compassionate.

[MarianJack]

5. Maybe Ed Rendell?

All the other choices listed are good, too.

[Freddie Stubbs]

70. He cannot leave PA until his term is over in 2011

His Lt. Governor is not up to the job.

[AlCzervik]

6. John Kerry?

[GDoyle]

8. Deval Patrick

The Massachusetts Governor

[Ozma]

68. Mass can't afford to lose him!!! I know he's great for the job, tho n/t

[avaistheone1]

10. How about Chuck Schumer?

I am very upset with Schumer for bringing Mukasy forward as the attorney general.

However, there is no in the Senate that can pin people down and grill people like Schumer. imo

[dixiegrrrrl]

42. Artur Davis...up and comer, was state AG, one of the good guys.

Schumer is not as clean as I had first thought.

Sheldon Whitehouse, on the other hand.

Leahy should have a strong voice in this decision.

[Upfront]

11. She would be a great choice.

She recently displayed her Atty. General skills in bringing the former mayor of Detroit to justice. She has worked tirelessly for Michigan.

[JCMach1]

12. Bob Casey, Jr.

or whichever post he wants...

Obama and Casey are tight.

[Chan790]

27. Pro-lifer...

rather a militant one, just like his father of infamous Casey v. Planned Parenthood fame.

Probably has no political future outside of PA because of it. They love him in PA though. Doubly has no chance at AG unless he wants to go into a Senate confirmation hearing and completely repudiate and renounce a life-long held personal belief.

A part of why he was a great nominee for that seat was because he hamstrung Santorum's one issue. Shitbag Santorum couldn't trot out the "Life" card because Casey's anti-abortion position was as resolute as Santorum's and every time it came up, Casey would hammer him on how being pro-life means being anti-war and anti-capital punishment and supporting things that make life possible to live...things like fair wages and union labor. He's the ultimate throwback conservative Democrat.

[JCMach1]

49. Pro-Choice people would not be happy, but he would be easy

to confirm...

Plus, Obama likes him personally...

[Chan790]

59. See...I don't think he could get confirmed for AG.

With the centrality of pro-choice and equality issues in the coming term, his very nomination would launch an open revolt.

I like him personally (I met Casey when I was volunteering for Chuck Pennacchio's primary campaign against him. That was a hard campaign to work on...both men are good people who truly believed they were the right person based on deeply-held personal beliefs who could not be more different.) and I would like to see him move up...I just think it's unlikely. Something where his pro-life views would not be an issue...like Labor secretary or HHS or Energy...would be better. I'd love that.

[Freddie Stubbs]

74. I think that Bobby may still want to follow in his father's footsteps and run for Governor

It will be an open seat in 2010, and he wouldn't have to risk his Senate seat, as he is not up for reelection until 2012.

[KansDem]

14. I'm not sure but wouldn't the candidate have to be a graduate of Regents University?

KIDDING!!!...just kidding...really! Juuuuuuust kidding...hahaha...ha.... hello?

[Ozma]

69. Yes, and a confirmed pro-lifer, who can shred the Constitution!!! LOL

[MadBadger]

18. Jonathan Turley

[Leopolds Ghost]

19. John Kerry. But it won't happen because the DLC is taking over

The rats off that ship are closing in, just as I predicted. Summers, Emanuel et al. They're already crediting Emanuel for 2006 AND 08. Stay tuned for Reagan/Clinton 3.0.

[magdalena]

46. Isn't Kerry DLC? nt

[blm]

52. he was some years back ...but, a very UNPOPULAR member there, as he kept his liberal voting record

throughout that time. Hey - he heard them out and didn't mind some of their proposals as long as they didn't trample on workers or the environment. I was glad to have a few lefties in the DLC at the time pulling back against those pulling it further rightward. Now I want the DLC gone.

[magdalena]

80. Thank you for explaining!

I was under the impression he still was.

[chitty]

55. WOW - That's what I call giving someone a chance.

Two fucking days after the election.

Why so positve?

[politicasista]

79. Pessimistic already?

:shrug:

[MilesColtrane]

20. Patrick Fitzgerald

He's got experience prosecuting mob bosses, terrorists, and corrupt politicians regardless of their affiliation.

We need somebody to ferret out the partisan hacks in Justice put in place by BushCo, and to return it to a Department that serves the law and the Constitution above all.

Fitzgerald has the integrity to begin that process.

[yodermon]

28. seconded, hands down. AND a chicago connection. n/t

[berni_mccoy]

32. He's the one, no doubt.

[Az_lefty]

36. Agreed, he's perfect. We need a prosecutor as AG

[MelSC]

38. That's who I was thinking of!

Patrick Fitzgerald...perfect!

[meow2u3]

75. Fitz is the man for the job

Not only does he have integrity, he's also politically unaffiliated. IMO, the epitome of nonpartisanship and impartiality.

[blondeatlast]

21. (Ducking) John Dean? (Creeps quietly to her corner). nt

[Jackpine Radical]

24. Not bad. He's a little long in the tooth, though.

[blondeatlast]

26. 'Kay--now I REALLY feel old (but you are right, I suppose!) nt

[Jackpine Radical]

29. I'm 64, for what it's worth.

And in training for Curmudgeon Laureate

[blondeatlast]

30. 49 here, but Watergate made me the political junkie that I am (and I sorta had a schoolgirl crush

on Dean!)

:rofl:

[Jackpine Radical]

34. Dean just turned 70--the day after I turned 64.

Weird-I never knew his birthday is a day after mine until I looked him up for this post.

[CalGator]

23. Spitzer?

Only sort of joking here. :D

If not for the whole breaking the law (however minor) by hiring a hooker thing, he'd have all the credentials. Of course, I'm not sure we'd want someone who used his powers to have police follow a political opponent in charge of wire tapping...

[OmahaBlueDog]

44. Spitzer was my first choice before the scandal

He was a helluva state's attorney.

I think we might see if we can get Spitzer or Edwards into the less-flashy Solicitor General spot.

[book_worm]

31. It might be Gov. James Doyle of WI--strong Obama supporter and speculation is

he will get a cabinet post and his previous experience? prosecutor and three terms as WI Atty Gen.

[Renew Deal]

33. Alberto Gonzales

I mean he picked Rahm for CoS right? :D

[Doctor_J]

35. David Iglesias

Who better to prosecute the USA purgings?

[Ozma]

71. I LOVE that one! That would be SO GREAT and he's BRILLIANT and a Repub.

[Lumpsum]

37. Deval Patrick or John Edwards.

[musicblind]

43. John Edwards. n/t

[Roland99]

48. Patrick Fitzgerald

[Spider Jerusalem]

50. Well, a year ago I'd have said Eliot Spitzer or John Edwards would be a great AG.

Now, though, they're both tainted by scandal, which the incoming Obama administration doesn't need. Either would be a very bad choice for that reason.

I'd say Janet Napolitano or Patrick Fitzgerald; Napolitano is a good bet to win McCain's Senate seat in 2010 if she wants it, though, so Fitzgerald may be a better choice as far as long-term political calculus goes.

[ProgressiveEconomist]

51. Eric Holder. A President has to TRUST his AG more than he has to trust any other Cabinet officer

Holder already is a senior legal adviser to Obama, plus as a former Deputy AG he'd have no learning curve--"ready on Day One."

See http://www.theadvertiser.com/article/20081106/NEWS01/811060328/1002 .

See also http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x7803428 and a link in that OP for more top candidates.

[NewJeffCT]

54. I believe Holder will be the pick as well

but, anybody on this list will be a huge step up from the Mukasey, Gonzo, Ashcroft trio of debacles.

[blue_onyx]

57. Granholm would be an excellent choice

But I would hate to lose her in Michigan. I believe she has done a lot to keep our state going during this horrible economic time (the last 7 years have been bad here). I want her to stay and see the work she done be validated, which I think it will by the time she leaves office (2010). Plus, I don't want to give our Republican party the satisfaction of seeing her leave....they'll say "at least a President Obama got Granholm out of Michigan." I do think she's a very intelligent and capable woman and would add a lot to the Obama administration. If she gets an offer to be Attorney General, I will be happy for her and wish her luck.

[dennis4868]

61. eric holder...

[QueenOfCalifornia]

62. Why not

Hillary Clinton?

[blue_onyx]

63. I'm sure she would do a great job...

but I don't see her wanting to be Attorney General. I think she'll remain a Senator.

[QueenOfCalifornia]

64. I would like to

see her appointed to the Supreme Court at the very first opportunity. But she would make a great AG till then.

[TransitJohn]

65. Wyoming Governor Dave Freudenthal.

It'd be a good pick.

[Ozma]

73. We East Cost folks never heard of him, could you give us some info??? n/t

[TransitJohn]

76. Because of Gov. Dave's

suing the Feds over enforcing ESA, and his stance over our wolf management plan, but he's a former US Attorney.
http://www.trib.com/articles/2008/11/06/news/wyoming/66d96539f3a14cbc872574f90006b1e5.txt

Edit to add wiki link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dave_Freudenthal

[TeamJordan23]

77. Holder or Fitzgerald. nm