Posted on 12/03/2009 10:00:41 AM PST by STARWISE
The second-in-command at the Justice Department is leaving his post, officials announced Thursday — making him the third top Obama legal official to announce his departure in recent weeks.
Deputy Attorney General David W. Ogden will return to private practice in February. White House General Counsel Greg Craig will step down in January, and Phillip Carter, a top Defense Department deputy assistant secretary dealing with detainee issues, has already left.
Ogden, who managed the civil division during the Clinton administration, headed up President Barack Obama’s transition into office last year.
In a statement, Ogden said that his tenure in the administration was always meant to be temporary.
“I took a leave from my practice of law thirteen months ago on Election Day to lead the Department of Justice transition for President Obama.
My hope then was to identify the goals for a successful transition at a critical time for the Department, when its credibility was under attack and when its traditional law enforcement missions had suffered,” he said in a statement.
“During the transition, President-elect Obama and Attorney General-designate Holder asked me to serve as the Deputy Attorney General, which gave me the opportunity to complete the transition process and see the Department solidly on a path to achieving those goals.”
Deputy assistant attorney general Gary Grindler will step in for Ogden on an interim basis, according to the Washington Post.
Craig came under fire for his handling of the closing of Guantanamo Bay military prison, though Craig has denied that was the reason for leaving, saying he always expected to return to private practice.
Carter announced he was leaving his job last month for personal reasons, after taking the detainee job in May 2009.
hmmm. maybe this means they’re going to revise m*a*s*h and he’ll reprise his role as charles emerson winchester.
RATS - Sinking Ship
how many people have stepped down from this admin so far? do you know if anyone is keeping a list?
Holder forced him out.
That him? I suspect he’s the wrong color for a top spot in the Ubama administration.
Obama has lost more high ranking administration officials in his first 10 months in office, than any other president that I can remember. Most have left in the middle of the night, to almost zero media fanfare. If this were a Republican president, the NYT’s would have done a three part expose on the failure of Obama to “build a competent” team.
Second thoughts on working for a Communist Administration perhaps?
Oh gosh! Will this increase the unemployment statistics?
I think it is more like:
Ships leaving the sinking Rat
Loved him in MASH, though. Too bad he turned out to be gay (not that there’s anything wrong with that!)
Actually he looks like a dead ringer for Father Mulcahy
Now, if only Obama would step down.
Make sure Rahm and Axelrod's rooms are ready when you get there, as they will be joining you shortly.
And hurry up, the peasants have sourced a wholesale rope distributor.
If only!
I seem to recall that everytime someone from Bush’s administration left the media made it a referendum about his policies and that they were leaving because of how they disagreed with them (all either conjecture or completely made up). HOWEVER, with Obambi its all quietly reported with as little detail as possible.
BS, the snakes are taking over.
I don’t know if you guys are kidding about Mash or not, but Major Winchester was played by David Ogden Stiers, not the guy in this article.
~~Ping!
No research time today; if any of you find
any intrigue re he and Holder, Obama, terror
trials, etc., please post.
Thanks .. ;)
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