Posted on 12/12/2004 8:21:48 AM PST by nanak
A woman described as "a close personal friend of [former] Attorney General Janet Reno" who also seved as Reno's "most trusted adviser" has become the media's favorite candidate to replace Homeland Security Chief Tom Ridge, after Bernard Kerik withdrew his name from contention late Friday.
Frances Fragos Townsend currently serves as the White House's homeland security advisor. But Washington insiders marvel at her ability to survive the transition from the Clinton administration. "To many old Washington hands, the casting is stunning," reported U.S. News & World Report in early December.
"A registered Republican, Townsend, 42, is a holdover from the Clinton administration, where she served as Attorney General Janet Reno's trusted but controversial intelligence adviser."
U.S. News noted that the former Clintonista was "so controversial that Reno's replacement, John Ashcroft, dropped Townsend from the top intelligence job."
But now, said the magazine, "She's back in power--big time."
"There's this huge head scratch to the whole thing," a former Justice Department official in the Clinton administration said. "How can this crowd of people [at the Bush White House] who are all about, 'Oh, you've got to be a true believer,' let her into the fold and allow her to reach this incredible height?"
While Townsend has her fans in the Bush administration - most notably Deputy Attorney General James Comey, who dropped a Pardongate probe into Hillary Clinton in 2002 - she also has her detractors.
"She's one of the most ambitious people I've met," a former Bush administration official told the magazine. "She's always sucking up."
In 1998, at Attorney General Reno's request, Townsend became the head of the powerful Office of Intelligence Policy and Review.
According to U.S. News, Townsend found herself in the middle of that debate over the notorious intelligence-sharing "wall" erected by Reno's other trusted deputy, Jamie Gorelick.
"Many FBI agents say Townsend was crucial in obtaining FISA wiretaps, especially during the period of heightened terrorism concerns around the new millennium," said U.S. News.
"But many prosecutors felt that Townsend was less than helpful in making sure the FBI shared wiretap data with lawyers at Main Justice when there was evidence of criminal activity. . . Some Justice Department prosecutors felt Townsend wanted to keep the wall up because it kept prosecutors out of national security investigations, leaving more authority in the hands of Townsend and friendly bureau agents."
Both the Government Accountability Office and the 9/11 Commission blamed Townsend's agency in part for the government's intelligence failures before the 9/11 attacks.
Despite the mixed reviews, the former Clintonista has become a favorite with the press.
The New York Daily News, which has been sharply critical of Kerik, headlined a glowing profile of Townsend on Sunday, "For Her, Homeland Security Means Life & Death."
The press campaign on behalf of the former Reno aide has even drawn the attention of foreign reporters, with Agence France Press noting on Saturday, "According to US media, Bush may now turn to Frances Townsend, the White House homeland security adviser, as the next head of the department."
Time for some coffee.
Well, now we know why Bush doesn't want to close the borders.
SO9
Yeah, she's a "freind" of Butch Reno, much like Ann Bishop ("roomate" of Reno and former ABC anchor) and Sister Jean Laughlin.
What do you expect? He's the same man who made time in his schedule to make sure he and Laura gave P. Diddy a personal tour of the White House. That's it for me. He continues to do stuff like this ALL the time. Time for conservatives to start a new party and get out. Bush is showing that winning doesn't mean anything since he continues to marvel and seek approval from the left.
check post # 5
Hasn't Bush frozen Tancredo out from his administration? I heard something about Bush being furious at him for him criticizing Bush's push to make illegal immigration legitimate. I think Rove was in on freezing him out. That's the stuff that makes me FURIOUS at Bush. He goes all out for people like the Clintoons, Kennedy, and these leftist entertainers. I thought he said they weren't the 'heart and soul' of America? Guess that was all talk for us fools while he slobbers all over being in the company of them. What a naive man. I use to be a fan of their family but it is all a joke. Now if I could figure out how to get my username changed.
This is one of those stories published to get people talking, there is absolutely no way she'll be the choice, none. You heard it here first.
Frances Townsend appears legit to me. She looked and sounded very impressive when I saw her give a press briefing a few weeks ago.
After that I learned of her background, but I have found no reason to disqualify her personally and I, for one, would be pleased if she's named and predicted as much this morning on two different threads.
And she's a Republican.
I'm glad someone else saw her speak and formed a favorable impression. In fact, I remember at the time many freepers were impressed.
Well, ARLEN SPECTER is also a republican.
You can get Jim to let you change your screenname. Since yours doesn't fit (if it ever did) you might want to come up with a new one.
NANAK, I could CARE LESS what your "THINK".
Got that?
That's nice because I already emailed and Jim did answer saying I could submit a new name-which I did yesterday and have yet to find out if I'll get that new screenname. I'm clearly out of the Bush camp. You obviously wear those rose tinted glasses yet.
NO! NO! NO! Surely the President does not have a death wish for his second term. A "girlfriend" of Janet Reno is NOT what the nation needs to make us more secure!
Yes, seems as if the family isn't so family values and respectful after all. George P. looked impressive to me and then he went and said that. His sister is a crack-cocaine addict. Marvin's wife Margaret was recently in a play mocking and making light of having an abortion-it was called 'Thumbs'. Neil not only commits adultery but does it with prostitutes and the Bush daughters follow mommy and daddy in their love of the entertainment world and Paris Hilton lifestyle. Bush 41 gives awards to Ted Kennedy. Yes, the family of values. They talk the talk.
Now there's a shocker! /s
I remember seeing Tancredo on TV a while back stating that his wife was mad at him. Apparently he went too far with his anti-immigration positions, thereby alienating the White House and getting kicked off any Christmas party lists.
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