"Politicians support reappointment of Attorney Fitzgerald"--ChicagoTribune

[milkyway]

BY JOHN CHASE

Chicago Tribune

WASHINGTON - (KRT) - Former U.S. Sen. Peter Fitzgerald said Wednesday he believes there is mounting political pressure to oppose the reappointment of U.S. Atty. Patrick Fitzgerald this fall, given his aggressive prosecution of government corruption in Illinois.

The former senator questioned whether House Speaker Dennis Hastert, the state's top Republican, would support the prosecutor when President Bush decides whether to extend his term in Chicago.

But Hastert, who often battled with Sen. Fitzgerald while the two Republicans served together in Congress, quickly shot down the ex-senator's claims. Hastert's office said the decision rests entirely with President Bush and Hastert has no role whatsoever in whether the prosecutor keeps his job.

Fitzgerald was the state's Republican U.S. senator in 2001 when he went outside Illinois' political and legal circles to recommend Patrick Fitzgerald, who was then a federal prosecutor in New York. Peter Fitzgerald contends that the subsequent indictment of former GOP Gov. George Ryan and the federal investigation of Mayor Richard Daley's City Hall have angered powerful politicians in both parties. The Fitzgeralds are not related.

<more>
http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/news/special_packages/election2004/12239742.htm

This was via Josh Marshall at TPM Cafe, where he comments on the story.
http://www.tpmcafe.com/story/2005/7/27/232930/764

Ironic that bush will decide if Patrick Fitzgerald keeps his job in Illinois. Also, he's up for reappointment in October--about the same time the Valerie Wilson grand jury is finished. Josh Marshall thinks losing his job in Illinois wouldn't affect Fitzgerald's status as special prosecutor in the Wilson case.

The hysterical repugs are beginning to target Fitzgerald. When things get real hot for them this fall, they may be desperate enough to deny Fitzgerald's reappointment. That would be a really stupid thing to do, but the bush admin is dumb enough to try it.

[napi21]

1. So 'splain to me how this works. If Fitz has the case in Ill & the one

against "the leaker in DC" what happens to those cases if he doesn't get reappointed? Are those cases turned over to another prosecutor? Can Fitz somehow continue to complete them because he is the attorney of record? I have no idea!

[kevsand]

7. All of Fitz' cases in Illinois,

i.e., for his "day" job as federal prosecutor, would continue to be handled by the Chicago office after his term ends. It would probably take some time for a replacement to be appointed and approved.

The Plame leak case, on the other hand, should be his unless or until he is fired. His position there is (I think) separate from his regular position as a federal prosecutor.

[Cha]

9. I hear he's Good ..so if he loses

his job because of politics(namely rove's revenge) then who knows what fate has in store?

[jimshoes]

2. We'll see which one

gets stuck firing Fitzgerald and if there is any fallout. Didn't Nixon fire or get fired a special prosecutor?


ed:sp

[Kelvin Mace]

3. Yep

and it turned the GOP against him.

[Bumblebee]

5. This GOP is VERY different. They'll applaud.

[KansDem]

11. I'm afraid you're correct...

I wonder how many Republicans snickered and giggled when they saw the video of Bush giving the finger to the world via the media? 35 years ago, if Nixon had done that, there'd have been hell to pay.

[msongs]

4. repugs will try to deny his reappointment because THEY CAN!

not like anybody on the planet can do anything about, and of course god is on the side of bushco.

Msongs
www.msongs.com

[merwin]

6. Only in our 'democracy' can agressive prosecution and truth seeking

(doing your job) will get you fired.

[Supersedeas]

8. It is the President's decision: nah, no conflict there. US Media?

[Cha]

10. US corportate media is

hiding under the covers..or at least they have been for the last 5 years.

They've become so preditable..I'm still holding out for "Expect The Unexpected", though!

[fob]

12. Sounds like the trial balloon of "Hastert to fire Fitz" has been burst

by Hastert himself (via his office)!

Sorry bushy*, Denny apparently ain't taking the fall on this one, you're gonna have to find someone else to fire the guy who's currently investigating CORRUPTION/TREASON in government.

NEXT!