Posted on 01/11/2005 6:41:46 AM PST by crushelits
Michael Chertnof - New HomeLand Security Secretary per Fox News
Other than his work with Latham & Watkins, what is his real world experience? L&A seems to be an IPO firm. It would be better to have someone who has been both a defense lawyer and a prosecutor rather than a Janet-Reno-prosecutor-only type.
Wednesday, 9 January, 2002, 18:05 GMT Hijacker 'pulled over by police'
Lemme ask a couple of questions here. Did Chertoff get either Clinton indicted for Whitewater (cost to taxpayer some $40,000,000)? No? OK, so based on that answer do you think we could possibly find someone a little better than this guy for a position that is slightly more important than a $100,000 land deal?
First, as a matter of course, a cabinet level secretary, with very, very few exceptions, is largely a bureaucrat, responsible for shaping departmental policy and priorities, cleaning out the department (i.e. Porter Goss at CIA) and, given the president's seal of approval, will kick ass and take names. His/her minions do the direct work, with subordinate agencies.
Second, what you want at homeland security is someone, who has the capabilities outlined above, and who is tough as nails. Doesn't and won't back down on policy, because some knee-jerk liberal is worried about how we are perceived in the world.
Chertoff passes both of these tests with flying colors.
Chertoff is a great choice..
He's the former head of the DOJ's Criminal Division, which is indicative of both much beyond the rudimentary level.
I had hoped for a security expert for HS...a retired general of the order of a Schwarzkopf or Downing.
I'm not impressed by a lawyer getting the job, even if he's the best lawyer around. I want protection, not prosecution.
Birth: November 28, 1953 Elizabeth, New Jersey
Legal Residence: New Jersey
Education: 1971 - 1975 Harvard University
A.B. degree magna cum laude
1975 - 1978 Harvard Law School
J.D. degree magna cum laude
Bar Admittance: 1980 District of Columbia
1987 New York
1990 New Jersey
Experience: 1978 Miller, Cassidy, Larroca & Lewin
Summer Associate
1978 - 1979 Law Clerk to the Hon. Murray Gurfein
United States Court of Appeals
Second Circuit
1979 - 1980 Law Clerk to the Hon. William J. Brennan, Jr.
Supreme Court of the United States
1980 - 1983 Latham & Watkins
Associate
1983 - 1987 United States Attorneys Office
Southern District of New York
Assistant United States Attorney
1987 - 1994 United States Attorneys Office
District of New Jersey
First Assistant United States Attorney, 1987-1990
United States Attorney, 1990-1994
1994 - 1996 United States Senate
Special Counsel for Whitewater Committee
1994 - 2001 Latham & Watkins
Partner
2001 - present United States Department of Justice
Assistant Attorney General
Criminal Division
The Whitewater hearings eventually turned into a debacle, but I don't think the blame should be laid at the feet of Al.
I do agree with your analysis of Chertoff, though.
I'm just worried that this pick will make it that much more difficult for President Bush to appoint another qualified, conservative justice to the bench.
Right! I'm thrilled about this.
This is swell!
Michael Chertoff is an excellent choice. He is one of the few members of the legal industry to bring pride to the State of New Jersey!
Please check your FReepmail!
That's what I thought. Rather limited experience. A bureaucrat with a bureaucrat's understanding.
I can't wait to hear what Hellary has to say about this appointment :-)
Well getting into harvard at 18 is still pretty impressive (especially back then!!)
Don't forget that the NY Post also has an article saying that Sandy Berger is under investigation by a federal grand jury, CBS has been shown to be a bunch of biased incompetents, and Rosen has been indicted! And it's only noon on Tuesday!
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