Eric Holder Gov. Napolitano
By Allan Lengel
ticklethewire.com
WASHINGTON — Rumors as to who will become the new Attorney General are flowing in this town like after-work beers at the legendary Tune Inn bar on Capitol Hill.
Names being mentioned in the media and by law enforcement sources include: Eric Holder, a former U.S. Attorney and deputy Attorney General under Clinton; Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano;Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick, a former assistant U.S. Attorney; and Rep. Arthur Davis (D-Ala.). There is also talk that Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm, who is on President-elect Obama’s economic transition team, could be a dark horse candidate.
Meanwhile, change is certainly in the air . Some may call it angst.
Short-timer Atty. Gen. Michael Mukasey announced that his chief of staff Brian Benczkowski and Lee Lofthus, assistant Attorney General for adminstration, will lead the internal transition activities.
Mukasey also announced the resignation on Friday of Assistant Attorney General Thomas O. Barnett of the Antitrust Division.
Mukasey, in a statement about Barnett said: “Under his leadership, the Antitrust Division has increased cartel enforcement to record levels with unprecedented fines and prison sentences, improved the efficiency and efficacy of its merger enforcement, and enhanced cooperation with our foreign counterparts.”
David Ogen, former chief of staff under Atty. Gen. Janet Reno , is leading the transition team for Justice for the Obama camp.
