Does anyone have a read on Al Rosenstein? I mean he is not only overseeing everything else that Sessions cannot do, but he is Deputy AG. Is he capable of any initiative?
I mean Sessions’ recusal did not trigger a Special Counsel. Rosenstein did that all by himself - a real gutless move IMHO.
Look at how many scandals Obama had where NO SC was appointed by Holder and then Lynch: Fast and Furious and Contempt of Congress involving Holder himself! and all the others.
Yes, media played a huge role not calling for an SC and poopooing the idea, but Trump does not mind telling media to kiss off.
I’d hate to fire any more people whose replacement needs Senate confirmation, but Rosenstein might be a real dud.
Sessions picked him as his #2, and I'm sure he put some thought into the pick. Sessions isn't infallible, but he would value honesty and fealty to the law. Sessions also picked Miller (for his own staff, as senator), so we get an idea about the sort of governing principles he looks for. I can't picture Sessions knowingly picking a "living constitution" type person for that role.
Other than that, Rosenstein has his own history. Nothing jumps out as "oh crap" to me, but he's also not a firebrand Federalist Society type.
-- I mean Sessions' recusal did not trigger a Special Counsel. --
That correct, and SC is more or less an "institutional" bail out, meaning no matter who is in the institution, the institution looks biased for this case.
-- Look at how many scandals Obama had where NO SC was appointed by Holder and then Lynch --
That pattern can be continued, just switch parties. My take is that FR prefers a partisan AG over one who follows the rule of law. That is not to say that Hillary ought to get off or Trump campaign ought to be investigated. I'm referring only to the appearance of bias.
-- Rosenstein might be a real dud --
His "fire Comey" memo is historical. It is awesome. He might be a dud, but he's done at least one thing really really good.