Newsday: Frances Townsend turned down offer from WH to replace Chertoff

[sabra]

http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/nation/ny-ustown0828,0,6753978.story

WASHINGTON - White House Homeland Security Advisor Frances Townsend has turned down a request that she consider being the next Homeland Security Secretary, stoking speculation that former prosecutor and federal judge Michael Chertoff may be the front-runner to replace Attorney General Alberto Gonzales.

Townsend, a native Long Islander, said she declined the job of Homeland Security Secretary currently held by Chertoff in a recent conversation with the White House, said a source with direct knowledge of the conversation.

A spokesman for Chertoff declined to comment this morning about whether his boss had been asked to step into the attorney general's post. Chertoff, a 53-year-old Harvard-educated lawyer may be a tough sell to a Democratic-controlled Senate because of his department's incompetent response to Hurricane Katrina and his support of the administration's aggressive anti-terror tactics.

[Xipe Totec]

1. Maybe Chertoff just wants to spend more time with his family? n/t

[sabra]

2. Chertoff isn't resigning, most likely taking Gonzo's old job...

[Xipe Totec]

3. Yes, I know that's the rumor... n/t

[Bitwit1234]

4. I know a darn good republican to appoint

Fitzgerald...............but it will never happen. bush knows damn well his and cheney's secrets would ALL BE EXPOSED.