Posted on 04/28/2009 7:57:58 AM PDT by BBell
Ending months of suspense and breaking with political custom, U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu, the de facto leader of the state's Democratic Party, announced Monday that she has joined her Republican colleague, U.S. Sen. David Vitter, in supporting the retention of Jim Letten as U.S. attorney for Louisiana's Eastern District.She also named Orleans Parish Civil District Court Judge Michael Bagneris as her choice to fill a federal judgeship and Genevieve "Genny" May for U.S. Marshal.
With both Louisiana senators now in agreement, Letten, the GOP's choice for the job eight years ago, appears to be a lock to win Senate approval and hold onto his spot as the Justice Department's top man in the New Orleans area. President Barack Obama, however, has the final say on whether Letten's name is submitted for a vote.
Cautioning that her recommendation is only a first step in the process, Landrieu expressed confidence that Obama will nominate Letten, a registered Republican appointed by President George W. Bush.
"I think Jim Letten has good support from a broad range of Democrats as well as Republicans, " Landrieu said as the U.S. attorney stood at her side for a news conference on the steps of the state Supreme Court.
"And I think President Obama said as he ran for this office that he wanted to reach across the aisle and build bridges and find middle ground. And I don't think that he's going to find this recommendation unusual."
The recommendation from Landrieu is considered key because a president usually will heed the advice of his party's U.S. senator.
On Monday, Landrieu also recommended veteran Orleans Parish Civil District Judge Michael Bagneris to fill a federal judgeship and State Police Deputy Superintendent Genevieve "Genny" May as U.S. marshal. May, the highest-ranking woman in the State Police hierarchy,
(Excerpt) Read more at nola.com ...
During a press conference on the steps of the Supreme Court of Louisiana, Senator Mary L. Landrieu announced that she is recommending to President Barack Obama that Jim Letten, center, retain his role as U.S. attorney. She also recommended Genevieve "Genny" May, right, as U.S. Marshal and Michael Bagneris as judge for the U.S. District Court.
Is this a good thing?
YES!
Why?
Click on the link and read the article.
Because Jim Letten doesn’t care about politics or ego or favors; if there’s something that stinks, he’ll pull it out.
Well said. Concise and to the point.
Jim Letten is one of the few people I’ve never heard any gossip about. If he’s corrupt then he’s hiding it pretty dang well.
He’s the type of guy that if it wasn’t for politics would have been in a long time ago.
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