Leahy to Bush: You Free to Meet Next Week?

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Who will Bush nominate to be the next attorney general?

Although there haven’t been any signs so far that the administration is interested in working with Democrats to name a broadly acceptable replacement, Senate Judiciary Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-VT) wants to talk it over.

“I look forward to working with you in your selection of a nominee to serve as the next Attorney General of the United States,” Leahy wrote to Bush today. “I hope that you will engage with Senate leadership and share your thoughts so that meaningful consultation can result and the Senate will be better able to fulfill its constitutional advice and consent role. I am available to meet with you in Washington after Labor Day and urge that Senator Specter be included as well.”

A couple of weeks ago, Leahy also wrote Bush to see if they couldn’t work out a deal for the testimony of Karl Rove and other former White House aides.

The letter:

August 29, 2007

The Honorable George W. Bush
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20500

Dear Mr. President:

I look forward to working with you in your selection of a nominee to serve as the next Attorney General of the United States. I hope that you will engage with Senate leadership and share your thoughts so that meaningful consultation can result and the Senate will be better able to fulfill its constitutional advice and consent role. I am available to meet with you in Washington after Labor Day and urge that Senator Specter be included as well.

There are a number of candidates any one of whom could be a unifying nominee and serve as an outstanding Attorney General. Many have significant law enforcement experience and have demonstrated leadership ability.

Now that there will be a vacancy, we have a chance to work together so that your selection will unite the nation. Bipartisan consultation can help achieve that goal. We all want a Department of Justice worthy of its name and great tradition. The American people we represent and serve expect no less.

Respectfully,

PATRICK LEAHY
Chairman

cc: The Honorable Arlen Specter
Ranking Member

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