Did WH Pull Nomination To Avoid Questions Over 2004 Minority Voter Suppression? (Think Progress)

[kpete]

Did White House Pull Nomination To Avoid Questions Over 2004 Minority Voter Suppression?

Tim Griffin — a “37-year-old protege” of Karl Rove and the former research director of the Republican National Committee — has become the poster boy for the Bush administration’s politicization of the office of U.S. attorney.

On Feb. 15, Griffin suddenly announced that he had “made the decision not to let my name go forward to the Senate” for approval. Instead, he will serve indefinitely as an “interim” prosecutor. By avoiding Senate approval, Griffin will also avoid having to answer questions under oath about his role in a plan to supress Florida votes — primarily those of African-American servicemembers — in the 2004 election.

From the LA Times, 10/28/04:

The Bush campaign is planning an election day effort to disrupt ballot casting by African Americans by challenging voters whose names are on a “caging list,” according to a British news report.

Citing an internal GOP e-mail with the subject line “caging,” the BBC reported Tuesday that Florida Republicans had a list of 1,886 names and addresses of voters in largely black and traditionally Democratic areas of Jacksonville. …

But African American leaders Wednesday called the list another “shameful” Republican effort to keep blacks from voting.

..........

Congressional sources tell ThinkProgress that the White House has decided not to proceed with the Griffin nomination because it would bring up questions about the 2000 caging scheme. If Griffin wasn’t involved, he should say that under oath. Congress and the public deserve the opportunity to question a U.S. attorney about his possible role in suppressing minority voters.

More Plus - AUDIO & TRANSCRIPT:
http://thinkprogress.org/2007/03/02/griffin-voter-suppression/

[TheBaldyMan]

1. there is an interesting paragraph from the KUAR newsroom

It says this about the events leading up to his appointment and current status in post:

Griffin is a former political operative in the Bush White House, and it's that background - and the way he got the job - that has some members of congress questioning the appointment. Griffin was named interim U.S. Attorney in December after Bud Cummins was forced out of the job. Griffin will remain in the job without Senate confirmation under provisions of the USA Patriot Act

If that doesn't make you suspicious, you're either dead or brain-dead.

[emulatorloo]

2. KICK AND NOMINATED n/t