Michael Chertoff - New HomeLand Security Secretary per Fox News

crushelits | Jan. 11, 2004 | crushelits

[crushelits]

Michael Chertnof - New HomeLand Security Secretary per Fox News

[Doctor Stochastic]

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.

[OXENinFLA]

Whoops, it wasn't Atta that was pulled over two days before 9-11, but it looks like he was pulled over prior to that.

Wednesday, 9 January, 2002, 18:05 GMT Hijacker 'pulled over by police'

[af_vet_1981]

Re #19,

Music to My Ears ...

[Archangelsk]

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?

[fromunda]

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.

[Dog]

Chertoff is a great choice..

[Dales]

"There is nothing in his resume to indicate even rudimentary managerial or political skills"

He's the former head of the DOJ's Criminal Division, which is indicative of both much beyond the rudimentary level.

[xzins]

Thanks for answering my question.

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.

[KwasiOwusu]

"There is nothing in his resume to indicate even rudimentary managerial or political skills. It looks like he would be a much better appointee as a judge"

Rubbish!
There is everything in his resume to indicate every managerial and political skill he needs for the job and more.

Sounds like typical RAT style, lynch mob, scorched earth, attack dog tactics to me. Won't work.
The RATS simply don't have the votes in congress to do much harm these days apart from snipe and snarl.

[highflight]

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 Attorney’s Office
Southern District of New York
Assistant United States Attorney

1987 - 1994 United States Attorney’s 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

[Do not dub me shapka broham]

I happen to think that Sen. D'Amato did a much better job than he is given-retrospectively-credit for.

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.

[Howlin]

Chertoff isn't just some DC lawyer.

Right! I'm thrilled about this.

[Howlin]

This is swell!

[leprechaun9]

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!

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

Chertoff was born in 1953. He was 18 when he started at Harvard in 1971.

Please check your FReepmail!

[West Coast Conservative]

Chertoff must be a good choice. The DUmpster already hates him and they are worried he is too Jewish!

[Doctor Stochastic]

That's what I thought. Rather limited experience. A bureaucrat with a bureaucrat's understanding.

[Mo1]

This ought to be interesting, LOLOL

I can't wait to hear what Hellary has to say about this appointment :-)

[bubman]

Well getting into harvard at 18 is still pretty impressive (especially back then!!)

[Miss Marple]

This IS swell. It looks like we are going to have another great week, if Monday and Tuesday are any indication.

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!