Schumer Negotiating With DoJ, Reid Irresponsive
This morning, I called Sen. Schumer’s office to find out if he had a list of candidates who would be confirmable as the next US Attorney General. I called because he’s quoted on the subject of Ted Olson’s possible nomination. Here’s that quote:
“Clearly if you made a list of consensus nominees, Olson wouldn’t appear on that list,” said Senator Charles E. Schumer, the New York Democrat who led the Judiciary Committee effort to remove Mr. Gonzales. “My hope is that the White House would seek some kind of candidate who would be broadly acceptable.”
When I reached Sen. Schumer’s office, Schumer’s staffer told me that Sen. Schumer had a list, which he hadn’t published because “he’s still negotiating with DoJ” on the matter.
That seemed strange considering the response I got when I called Harry Reid’s office. I first called Reid’s office two days ago after I read a quote from Sen. Reid about Ted Olson’s possible nomination to be the next US AG. Sen. Here’s what Reid is quoted as saying:
“Ted Olson will not be confirmed” by the Senate. “He’s a partisan, and the last thing we need as an attorney general is a partisan.”
Two days later, he still hadn’t responded so I called Reid’s Washington, DC office again. I told Reid’s staffer that I hadn’t received a reply to my question.
He immediately asked where I was calling from so I told him I’m from Minnesota. He asked if I’d called my senators. I told him that I hadn’t because they hadn’t been quoted on the subject. I told him that I was asking Sen. Reid because he was quoted by Reuters.
The gentleman then said that I should check Sen. Reid’s website periodically to see if Sen. Reid puts out a statement on the subject. I told him that I’d do that but I also said that it’s strange for Sen. Reid to say that they’ll rule out partisans for the job but then not have someone in mind that would fit their criteria.
Finally, the gentleman said “Good luck in finding out the information you’re looking for.” What a boneheaded statement that is. I want Sen. Reid’s reaction to his statement. I call his office for that reaction but they won’t answer my question. Then they wish me luck in finding out the information that they won’t give me.
Several things are apparent from my call. The first thing that became apparent is that this staffer is as evasive as his boss is. Another thing that’s apparent is that Reid doesn’t have anyone in mind that fits his demands. His declaration that Ted Olson wouldn’t get confirmed because he’s too partisan was made to tell President Bush not to nominate Ted Olson.
This is an attempt by Sen. Reid to get the Bush administration to negotiate against itself. I’d be surprised if President Bush fell for that age-old ploy.
In light of this information, isn’t it a bit strange that Sen. Reid wouldn’t have anyone in mind when one of his lieutenants is negotiating with DoJ on who would be confirmable?
Frankly, the information from Reid’s office doesn’t sound credible.
Technorati Tags: Chuck Schumer, Harry Reid, Ted+Olson, President Bush, Alberto Gonzales, Attorney General
Cross-posted at LetFreedomRingBlog
September 14th, 2007 at 2:47 pm
How can anyone truly trust Reid and his Dem’s and his staff. Always evasive, never an answer, only hateful vitriol. Why would anyone in their right mind look up to people like these. Is this world that self absorbed and selfish?
September 14th, 2007 at 7:15 pm
Way to go! Keep the heat on the silly bastards.