As I’ve said many times, there has to be a way to tone down the politics in the selection of U.S. Attorneys. The mess during the Bush years should have been enough to spark some type of reform, and put in place some safeguards to make sure no one is removed for political reasons. Apparently it’s going to take more. Here’s the latest spat down Texas between the Dems and Republicans.
- Sen John Cornyn/official photo
By GROMER JEFFERS Jr.
The Dallas Morning News
Sen. John Cornyn said Thursday that he would block anyone except Sarah Saldana as the next U.S. attorney for North Texas, setting in motion a showdown with Democrats who have other contenders in mind.
Saldana, an assistant U.S. Attorney who leads the fraud and public corruption division in the Dallas-based Northern District, was picked by Cornyn and Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison after they interviewed a string of candidates. Saldana and others were also evaluated by a bipartisan committee of legal experts appointed by the Republican senators, Cornyn said.
“It’s the president’s prerogative to nominate anybody he wants,” Cornyn said. “But it’s the prerogative of the Senate to decide whether those individuals will be confirmed.”
OTHER STORIES OF INTEREST
- Terror Suspect’s Father Indicted for Lying to FBI (AP)
- Convicted Texas Killer Sentenced to Die (AP)
- Three on Trial in Atlantic City Public Corruption Case (AP)
- Al Capone’s Wisconsin Hideout Sells for $2.6 Million (AP)
- Judge On Trial For Trading Lighter Sentences for Sex With Male Inmates (Courthouse News Service)
- Killings in Juarez, Mexico Reach New High (CNN)
- Senate Committee Votes to Renew Patriot Act Spy Powers (WIRED)
- Ex-Rep. William Jefferson Asks for 2 Week Sentencing Delay (New Orleans TImes-Picayune)
