I'm not sure I like this article about Fitzgerald.

[King Coal]

Fitzgerald not packing his bags

Published August 4, 2005


U.S. Atty. Patrick Fitzgerald, his future in Chicago uncertain as his four-year term nears its end, said Wednesday he plans to keep at work "until someone tells me they'd like someone else to do the job."

"You're very lucky to get the job, you do your job, and if someone tells you it no longer serves the pleasure of the president, then you pack your bags and move on," Fitzgerald said in answer to reporters' questions at a news conference.


http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-0508040214aug04,1,3035065.story?coll=chi-news-hed&ctrack=1&cset=true

[Stephanie]

1. Ruh -roh!

yikes

[JDPriestly]

2. Saturday night massacre

I think the president would be asking for big trouble if he decides that Fitzgerald no longer serves his pleasure. It isn't just us DUers and our friends who want to know who outed Valerie Plame and her company. The press wants to know, and I suspect that many members of the press are even more keen on ending the White House's manipulation of the news than are we.

[King Coal]

5. When has that stopped him? His Hubris is notorious.

[carnie_sf]

15. God I hope so

[H2O Man]

16. His position on Plame

is not connected to his position in Chicago.

[malaise]

3. Actually it seems to me that he anticipates

being sent packing.

[kevsand]

4. This isn't referring to the Plame case.

This is about his four year term as federal prosecutor in Chicago, not his role as special prosecutor in DC. I don't think the two jobs are related in any way.

[wicket]

7. You are correct

They aren't related.

[King Coal]

9. Then what about the "serves the pleasure of the president" reference?

[kevsand]

11. The position in Chicago is one that is appointed by

the President. The four year term expires this year. Bush doesn't have to reappoint him. But even if he doesn't, that would not affect Fitzgerald's other job as Special Prosecutor.

[King Coal]

20. I hope you're right about that.

[wicket]

6. More info here:

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

It should be noted though that if he is replaced as US Attorney, it does not affect his status as Special Prosecutor in the Plame case.

[napi21]

8. Fitz actually has 2 jobs. One is as US Attorney in ILL.

That term expires in Oct. and if he doesn't get a reappointment, he will be packing.

The other is his job as Special Prosecutor on the Treasongate case. That one does not expire. The GJ term ends in Oct, but can be extended if necessary.

Don't read too much into the Trib article. They are referencing his status as an ILL US Atty.

[AngryAmish]

10. I'm a Chicagoan

There is huge bipartisan pressure to get rid of Fitzgerald. This state is run by political oligarchs who are only interested in white-collar graft. He is getting close to Daley, Blago wants him gone before he digs anything up on him and Repubs have been gutted by him.

Prediction: Fitz is gone and everyone can get back to quietly stealing.

[sam sarrha]

12. Fritz..... if they offer you any Grape Kool-Aid, ...dont drink it..!!

:hide:

I think they will all just kill him like Ceasar on the steps to the Justice Department.. Dubya, Karl, Novak, pearl, wolfie, rummy, Chaney will hold him down.. doesnt want to get 'his' hands dirty.. that is what Dubya is for.. Dirty Work.. W lives for it

:rant:

[ChairmanAgnostic]

14. i hope not

Fitz has brought so many convictions, guilty pleas and indictments, that it is refreshing to see city and county workers actually doing something other than reading the paper and heading to their favorite bar.

He cares not about a party label. He just ferrets out crime. (He has been very busy in Illinois, by the way)

[ProfessorGAC]

21. Bet You A Nickel!

Can't bet any more than that, i don't gamble really. I think the political pressure to keep him will be greater than the desire to dump him.

I agree with you that the powers that be would like him gone. I just don't think they have the political capital to do it. Would be a very dangerous game for them to play.
The Professor

[AngryAmish]

22. You are on

What political pressure? First, all the Dems can say - hey, it wasn't us. It was Bush. Hastert is the one who actually makes this decision. He is in a super-safe seat.

Nobody in power wants an honest prosecuter now. They only reason the IL repubs want him is that they have given up hope of regaining power and they want their pound of flesh.

[warrens]

13. He's pissed off a lot of powerful Illinois people too

Both Dems and Repubs. So they might try to use Daly, who has been REAL embarassed about corruption arrests and convictions, as cover for what Bush wants to do. But it is going to be tough to fire him. He's REAL popular here. He could run for governor and probably get a lot of Dem votes.

[LSK]

17. he better come up with something by October n/t

[dogday]

18. Was that the whole article because

it seems like there should be more to it than just that....

[wli]

19. Saturday night massacre for Illinois GOP corruption

Similar will follow for Coingate et al.