Political whodunit: John McKay's curious downfall

[spindrifter]

By Associated PressSEATTLE (AP)

Despite hours of congressional testimony and the release of volumes of Bush administration e-mails, the political knifing of John McKay remains a whodunit.

The documents suggest the former U.S. attorney's Republican star was rising as recently as last August, when a high-ranking Justice Department official tried to grease his path to a federal judgeship, saying "it's highly unlikely that we could do better in Seattle." Barely a month later, on Sept. 13, that same official - the attorney general's now former chief of staff, Kyle Sampson - put McKay on a list of U.S. attorneys to be fired by the end of the year.

What happened between those dates to cause the stunning turn in McKay's fortunes and leave him teaching law at Seattle University? Attorney General Alberto Gonzales on Friday would say only that Sampson's previous effort on McKay's behalf "doesn't represent the views of the department, nor does it represent my view."

But again, what happened? Was McKay too brash in pushing the Justice Department to improve information sharing among law enforcement, a goal that had been advocated by the 9/11 Commission? Was his office too ready to let criminals receive sentences below the guideline range? Did his bid for the judgeship revive old complaints that he had failed to diligently investigate claims of voter fraud during the 2004 election?

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http://www.komotv.com/news/6685087.html

[youngdem]

1. Perhaps he was on the take then thought better of the price for which he sold his soul

[spindrifter]

2. Say what?

McKay has been out there talking as much as any of the ousted 8.

[cassiepriam]

3. Yep quite possible. He played ball for awhile but got disgusted.

It is amazing that these smart guys think they will be immune from the Rove treatment.
What goes around comes around.

[bleever]

4. Behind-the-scenes look at what happens to high performers

who DARE to prod the DOJ to help them fight real crime.

Recommended.

[bleever]

5. Gotta kick this. It's how and why they eat their own.

:kick: