How long can Bush let a deputy AG serve as AG if Gonzalez resigns?

[jmowreader]

Bush is between a rock named Alberto and a hard place named Gonzalez.

The rock: With all the shit Gonzalez has pulled, I have a feeling they could come up with twenty to thirty Republicans who are upset enough at him to vote for conviction. We might not be able to get Dipshit or Dead-eye, but Gonzalez will be impeached. (Bonus for the Republicans: if they impeach Gonzalez they can then dump all of Bush's malfeasance on Gonzalez's shoulders then say that by removing him they have served justice.)

The hard place: After the Alito and Roberts things worked out so well, the Democrats in Congress will be justifiably reluctant to approve anyone Bush likes...and Bush will be equally reticent to choose someone the Democrats will approve.

My thinking: Bush has packed the Department of Justice with syncophants, cronies, and Regent University "graduates." I know if Gonzalez were to get hit by a bus tonight his deputy would serve as Acting AG until a permanent replacement was named, or until the Senate approved the Acting AG as permanent AG. Could he just decide not to nominate anyone at all?

[Kagemusha]

1. Probably. It's just more convenient to have a confirmed AG.. who's not in charge.

It makes accountability way more difficult than with a clearly defined acting AG.

[Demeter]

2. I'm Not Sure There Are Any Deputies Left

The DoJ is running on empty, by all accounts. The rats have all deserted.