WASHINGTON, Sept. 12, 2007
Reid: Dems Won't Confirm Olson As A.G.
Senate Majority Leader Says Democrats Will Block Ted Olson From Succeeding Alberto Gonzales
-
Former Solicitor General Theodore Olson speaks at a Federalist Society luncheon in Washington, July 8, 2005. (AP Photo/Lauren Victoria Burke)
-
Interactive Tumultuous Tenure Attorney General Alberto Gonzales resigns amid firings firestorm, questions over handling of terror investigations.
"Ted Olson will not be confirmed," Reid, D-Nev., said in a written statement. "I intend to do everything I can to prevent him from being confirmed as the next attorney general."
The comment gave weight to Republican warnings that Olson, a former solicitor general, would face brutal confirmation hearings and that the White House can't afford a fight now over who will head the troubled federal law enforcement agency.
"It would be unfortunate to nominate someone who can't be confirmed," Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala. and a member of the Judiciary Committee, said earlier in the day.
The White House said President Bush would send up an "exceptionally qualified nominee."
"The nominee will have expertise in the law, a commitment to fighting crime, and an understanding of the threats we face today and the legal tools needed to combat those threats," said deputy White House press secretary Tony Fratto. "We hope the Senate will set aside partisan politics long enough to confirm a nominee - for the good of the Justice Department and the country."
There had been no indication that Bush had settled on Olson to succeed Gonzales, whose last day on the job is Friday.
But Olson's name has been mentioned enough that both Republicans and Democrats are saying that the longtime GOP ally would face a long, tough fight after representing candidate Bush before the Supreme Court in the contested 2000 election.
Earlier Wednesday, Republican Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah, a former Judiciary Committee chairman, said he talked with about 10 Democrats about Olson and that some made noises, if not outright threats, about blocking his nomination.
"I have been warned by a number of Democrats that they're not going to let that happen," Hatch said of an Olson confirmation. If the White House thinks Olson would sail through the Senate, Hatch said, "then they don't understand the people up here."
Reid's comments were the first indication that Olson's nomination would be dead-on-arrival on Capitol Hill.
Democrats, including current Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy, indicated they would mount strong challenges to Olson if Bush nominates him. "He is certainly not a consensus nominee," said Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. "He has a very political background."
©MMVII, The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
More From Politics
Add a Comment See all 81 Comments
- That is a scary thought. Thanks for the insight there sunshine.
Posted by Biker-N-OH at 01:31 PM : Sep 14, 2007
+ report
How so? You aren''t much in the area of American History are you there Sparky? IF you had gone to your history classes you''d KNOW that our greatest days as a nation have come under a Democratic Congress... Yep. It was under a Democratic Congress that we moved from the Great Depression to the Greatest Economic Superpower on the planet... haven''t done to well since though. It was under a Democratic Congress that we gained the HIGHEST standard of Living in the World... since we have dropped to the bottom of the industrialized Contries. What''s scary is that people keep defending the other guys. THAT''s scary. - Reply to this comment
- In a little more than a Year we all can go to the polls and send the entire gaggle of Southern Fascist back where they came from. That will be a wonderful day in this nation... wonderful indeed. Lets just all make a committment to refuse to elect a President on Hate and Division. No matter how bad you hate ***, using a Gay Marriage Amendmnet to draw out the most hate filled and narrow minded amoung us to elect and incompetent leader does no one any good.
- Reply to this comment
- Some Dems wouldn''t confirm Hillary if "Bushy_baby" nominated her, they''ed swear she had jumped ship.
I am a Democrat but not one of them. - Reply to this comment
- I am glad to have brightened your day, Biker. I am glad to have brightened your day, Biker.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted by motherjones at 01:37 PM : Sep 14, 2007
I could think of better ways to have brightened my day. But on the other hand mother you could be right. If (and a big IF) a democratic president is elected democratic dominance could happen. Especially if the grant amnesty to all of the illegals in this country it is indeed possible. If they do you will see the immigration problem triple in size and the next thing we are doing is speaking Spanish as the official language. - Reply to this comment
- That is a scary thought. Thanks for the insight there sunshine.
Posted by Biker-N-OH at 01:31 PM : Sep 14, 2007
I am glad to have brightened your day, Biker. - Reply to this comment
- This is the dawning of an age of Democratic dominance that will last a generation!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted by motherjones at 02:33 PM : Sep 13, 2007
That is a scary thought. Thanks for the insight there sunshine. - Reply to this comment
- the south will vote for the candidate that campaigns on christian values...
it doesn''t matter if this candidate is the best qualified.
the south thinks that the most religious is the best qualified candidate.
that''s how america got bush...
ha,ha,ha.
what a bunch of christian snakes that control the politics in the south.
ha,ha,ha....anti-american confederate creeps.
that''s the south for you, folks! - Reply to this comment
- not one southern state will vote for hillary.
the south prefers upstanding, christian , faith professing republicans
and top notch leadership like george bush, jr.
the south would like to find another prez like george bush. jr.
the southern states are considering drafting rush limbaugh to be the republican candidate.
he has all the qualifications...
fat, bigoted, republican, christian, drug user, demogogue.
oh well, that''s the south for you, folks! - Reply to this comment
- "You know you may have something there it would not surprise me he is no longer Governor of Florida I can see him doing just that Oh but he will have to go through the committee no won''''t happen but if he could he would
Posted by starleo146 at 03:03 PM : Sep 13, 2007"
Actually, this was about Neil Bush, who has no background in education, but nonetheless makes money selling lousy educational material. - Reply to this comment
- Posted by jimfinster at 01:33 AM : Sep 13, 2007
Thank you jimfinster I rest my case. - Reply to this comment
- Also, you gotta love the hatred that people like starleo146 have for Fox News, the most popular cable news network ever.
Another thing Mike I don''t hate Faux Nooz I hate what they represent Propaganda and untruths and twisted truths .I will ask has anyone heard one praise of any democrat or any one who leans that way on that cable spoof.They could do so much better if they were not so partisan.Most popular station to the republicans people like Elizabeth Hasselback - Reply to this comment
- Hey starleo146, NEWS FLASH: The liberals no longer have a monopoly on information like they used to. Other viewpoints are available. Live with it.
Posted by mike71067 at 08:34 AM : Sep 13, 2007
Yes I know I heard if one democrat appears on any news show two republicans have to be there to shut them up we know how you guys work but o8 NEWS FLASH: REPUBLICANS THROWN OUT DEMOCRATS TAKE OVER - Reply to this comment
- The White House said President Bush would send up an "exceptionally qualified nominee." ..."
Or his brother ?
http://www.citizensforethics.org/nod
e/30099
Posted by abbe91 at 09:47 AM : Sep 13, 2007
You know you may have something there it would not surprise me he is no longer Governor of Florida I can see him doing just that Oh but he will have to go through the committee no won''t happen but if he could he would - Reply to this comment
- Also, you gotta love the hatred that people like starleo146 have for Fox News, the most popular cable news network ever. I guess watching liberal news channels like CNN, etc. get their assses kicked every week by Fox News must be depressing for some folks. Hey starleo146, NEWS FLASH: The liberals no longer have a monopoly on information like they used to. Other viewpoints are available. Live with it.
Posted by mike71067 at 08:34 AM : Sep 13, 2007
What I said about Ted and Barbara olsen was true they did appear every day on faux nooz the propaganda cable station for Georgie and I''ll say it again you don''t have to defend them everyone knows it.They were close friends of Ken Starr and everyone knows they tried everything to topple Clinton and I do not want a man of this character on the dept. of Justice Put one of those attorneys they fired as head they will clean it up. Yeh that will happen under Bush do you see that ethical thing happening. This is America Mike and in 08 we will take it back - Reply to this comment
- Ted Olson is a fascist scumbag which means he''d fit right in at the bush justice department. Too bad it ain''t gonna happen! I can hardly wait until 2008 when the repukes get their ****s handed to them and the good guys can do some house cleaning. This is the dawning of an age of Democratic dominance that will last a generation!
- Reply to this comment
- Also, you gotta love the hatred that people like starleo146 have for Fox News, the most popular cable news network ever.
Posted by mike71067
You do know that Faux News is owned by an Australian don''t you? Yup Rupert Murdoch, one of the biggest hypocrites in the world, is an Aussie. He claims to be a good Catholic but had his long term marriage annuled (despite 3 or 4 kids) when he was *** his personal assistant, now his 2nd wife. On top of Fox, he also owns the London Sun - the paper with the topless page 3 girl every day. It sells over 3 million copies a day making it #1 in the UK by a mile. All that really means is that there are 3 million brits with an IQ less than 53. - Reply to this comment
- Reid is a surrender monkey, coward, piece of ***! Bush should nominate who he wants to have as AG.
- Reply to this comment
- Olson''''s wife was killed during the Pet Goat Lesson as a gift to Olson.
Posted by MelCarnahan
You truly are a pig. Another conspiracy theory freakazoid, now aren''t you. Well, no matter, I think Bush should make another recess appointment so little piggies like you can whine. - Reply to this comment
- Olson''s wife was killed during the Pet Goat Lesson as a gift to Olson.
- Reply to this comment
- DOES ANYONE REALLY CARE WHAT PRESIDENT HARRY THINKS? ANYONE KNOW WHEN THE NEXT RECESS IS. THIS CLOWN AND HIS PARTY WILL BE FIGHTING AN APPOINTMENT UNTIL THE NEXT ELECTION. MY, WHAT A SUPRISE!
- Reply to this comment
