A recess appointment for Gonzo's replacement? What are the issues?????

[skip fox]

The American public will be screwed again if the new AG doesn't have to testify before congress.

But what are all the issues around this maneuver?

[Kagemusha]

1. The issues are that Bush gave his word of honor to Reid not to

and whether Bush will break his word to get the man he wants for the end of the term, or not.

It's not really that complicated.

[durablend]

4. "Bush gave his word of honor..."

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

There's a lot of comic genius posting around the nets today!

[Kagemusha]

7. True, true.

Though people pointing out the resignation won't be official until the Senate is back in session seems a larger consideration.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

2. Gonzales isn't stepping down until Sept. 17

As far as I can tell a recess appointment is not an issue here.

[MonkeyFunk]

3. The issue

is that Gonzales' resignation is effective Sept. 17th, when the Senate will be in session. There will be no recess appointment.

[in_cog_ni_to]

5. Here's what went down: Reid threatened to hold pro forma sessions while Congress was on August

break. Pro forma sessions would make it impossible for the pycho to make recess appointments. The psycho made a "deal" with Reid..."I won't make any recess appointments if you promise to give my Judges hearings in the Judiciary Committee." Reid took the deal. Don't ask me why Reid trusts the psycho...I have no clue why.

Why Reid would trust ANYTHING the psycho says is beyond me, but that's what went down. Gonzo could still change his mind, leave tomorrow and the psycho could make his recess appointment. In fact, IMCPO, I think THIS has been the plan all along.....why else would the psycho make such a deal? BECAUSE HE WANTS TO MAKE A RECESS APPOINTMENT AND PRO FORMA SESSIONS MADE THAT IMPOSSIBLE. Why did Gonzo wait until Congress was on vacation to resign?

I don't trust these people as far as I can throw them!

Gonzo will still have to testify or be held in Contempt of Congress...... If the yellow-bellied Democrats have the balls to see this through to the end. My guess is they will drop the Gonzo issue now. That was probably the deal they made. You resign and we won't expose your crimes.

[ThomWV]

6. Why have a recess appointment when he's already got Paul Clemet?

How much worse could it get?

[spotbird]

10. Exactly. nt

[LSK]

8. No recess appointment

He is staying until Sept 17.

[spotbird]

9. There will not be a recess appointment.

Bush is perfectly happy with Clement in the job. It wouldn't surprise me if Bush never makes a nomination to the Senate.

I wonder if he is required to make a nomination?

[onenote]

11. not required to make a nomination, but time limits on acting ag

As I understand the law, Clement can serve 210 days as acting AG if no nomination is made. If, however, a nomination is made, he can stay on until such time as the nomination is approved or, if rejected, he gets another 210 days from the rejection.

Q23. Generally, for how long may a vacant office be filled on an acting basis under the Vacancies Reform Act?

A. The Vacancies Reform Act does not provide for a static, set number of days during which an acting officer may serve. Instead, the Vacancies Reform Act's limitation on the length of service involves a series of interrelated provisions tied to the submission of a nomination for the vacant position. These provisions permit an acting officer to serve for a 210-day period prior to the submission of a nomination. Once a nomination is submitted, the acting official may continue to serve until the Senate takes action on the nomination or the nomination is withdrawn. If the first nomination is rejected or returned by the Senate, or withdrawn by the President, a new 210-day period of service begins. Once a second nomination is submitted, an acting officer again may continue to serve as long as the nomination is pending in the Senate. If the second nomination also is rejected, returned, or withdrawn, then a final 210-day period begins to run. The submission of a third nomination does not suspend the running of this final 210-day period; once those 210 days have run, the functions and duties of the vacant office may no longer be performed by an acting officer. (5 U.S.C. § 3346) See questions 25-38 below for a more detailed discussion of how the time limits are calculated under the Vacancies Reform Act.