Concerning Siegelman case: Do you really think Obama can just fire the U.S. Attorney for Alabama?

[HamdenRice]

There are a few posts and threads complaining that the Obama administration and Attorney General Holder have not prevented the US Attorney in Alabama, Leura Canary, from seeking a longer sentence for fewer charges, in the Siegelman case.

Theoretically, Holder has the authority to remove Canary. But politically, is it really feasible?

Remember that one of the few scandals that almost stuck to the Bush administration was the firings of U.S. Attorneys for political reasons.

Given the Republicans' penchant for accusing Democrats of what they, the Republicans are guilty of, what do you think would happen if Holder fired Canary?

My guess is Republican howls that the Obama administration is "politicizing" the Justice Department.

Siegelman will get justice, but not in Alabama. Holder is going to wait out the expiration of Canary's term.

Siegelman's best hope is to appeal the corrupt convictions in the federal district court and the ludicrous opinion of 11th Circuit Court of Appeals to the U.S. Supreme Court, which could take a long time.

[annabanana]

1. The politicization of the Justice Department was ACCOMPLISHED

by the Bush Administration. Anything Holder does down there will be justice.

edit: let them howl, BOTH of them

[HamdenRice]

2. ACCOMPLISHED at the cost of Gonzo, Rove, Miers et al almost going to jail

Nine of the top officials at the Justice Department were force to resign. Miers was put under subpoena, which she refused to respond to, and could still go to jail.

No one is going to fire any US Attorneys any time soon.

[annabanana]

4. operative word: almost. . . .n/t

[HamdenRice]

7. I don't think Holder wants to be forced to resign along with his top aids either nt

[Freddie Stubbs]

3. Didn't the President ask for the resignation of ALL US Attorneys when he assumed office?

That is usually what incoming president do.

[annabanana]

5. Used to be.. all US Attorneys automatically tendered their resignations

The President didn't have to do anything.

[HamdenRice]

10. See post 8. He didn't ask. nt

[HamdenRice]

6. I don't think he did. It's actually not customary

Iirc, the last president to do so was Clinton.

That's what tripped up Bush. He could have done it, but didn't, and then tried to fire them for political reasons.

[LiberalFighter]

8. It is after the President has appointed new AG's when they take office that would cause trouble.

My Journal

Excerpt from email sent to AG's and others on 11/4/2004.

Second, as we move into this transition period, the President has decided that he will not ask for letters of resignation. That said, as always, each of us serves at the pleasure of the President.

If Obama didn't tell them to get the hell out when he took office. He should had.

[HamdenRice]

9. Thanks for the source

But I don't think it's customary, and is considered a bad thing to do in terms of prosecutorial independence.

After the US Attorney firing scandal of the Bush administration, there was no way Obama was going to fire any of them, imo.