In spite of freshman Idaho Congressman Walt Minnick’s assurances just under a year ago that Idaho would soon have a new US Attorney, the White House has yet to formally nominate a replacement for the current USA, Tom Moss.
Shortly after taking office, Minnick appointed a committee to recommend qualified candidates. We do not know the persons whom the committee may have nominated.
According to the website Main Justice, the names most often mentioned being considered are current Idaho Assistant US Attorneys Deborah Ferguson and Wendy Olson. Minnick, however, says he only identified one candidate to the White House. We do not know if his choice was either Ferguson or Olson.
So why does Congressional greenhorn Minnick get to make the recommendation? He is Idaho’s ranking Democrat in Congress.
Not for long I hope.
So Bill, am I right in thinking that by Minnick not appointing someone qualified to the positon of US Attorney for our region, our system of justice in Idaho slows way down; we do not have the legal investigative services and response that we should?
Comment by mary — January 14, 2010 @ 7:52 am
Mary,
I suspect that Minnick has already submitted a name to the White House for “vetting.” The way the game is played, though, is that Minnick’s nominee will not be formally nominated by the President until after the WH Staff has found the nominee to be politically reliable and acceptable. Once the Staff unofficially blesses it, the nominee’s name will be announced by Minnick. What we don’t know is who Minnick’s Idaho committee recommended to Minnick. That committee included Kootenai County Prosecutor Barry McHugh.
Moss is a lame duck. The USA’s routine office work will pretty much go ahead at whatever level it was at before. What is missing is whatever leadership and direction the new USA will provide.
What I would very much hope to see is the number of Assistant US Attorneys and office staff increase in Coeur d’Alene. The United States Attorney’s Office prosecutes federal criminal offenses, and defends the U.S. Government’s interest in civil cases in northern Idaho. Last time I talked with someone from the Coeur d’Alene office, there were three AUSAs to handle all in the five northern Idaho counties.
Comment by Bill — January 14, 2010 @ 12:39 pm
We could keep three AUSAs busy right here in CdA with all the questionable behavior by our public officials.
Did you see this article on Drudge about VP Biden holding a meeting on transparency, but the problem is the meeting was CLOSED to the media!? Sounds like CdA!
Comment by mary — January 14, 2010 @ 2:05 pm