MyDD :: Janet Napolitano For Attorney General?

Janet Napolitano For Attorney General?

by Todd Beeton, Sun Nov 09, 2008 at 10:06:20 PM EST

Attorney General is among the most anticipated appointments for me. Imagine an AG who stands up for the rule of law. Once upon a time I saw John Edwards in the role, but alas, he's no doubt put the kibosh on that. Politico is reporting that among elected officials who've been early and strong supporters of Barack Obama, Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano is top of Obama's list.

The most-bandied about name among elected-officials is Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano. A former U.S. attorney and the state's first female attorney general, the Democrat has the requisite law enforcement experience and would help Obama bring gender balance to his Cabinet.

Other politicians who make the Washington speculation lists are Democratic Govs. Tim Kaine of Virginia and Deval Patrick of Massachusetts.

Other options include a couple of DC insiders:

Inside-the-Beltway candidates include two former deputy attorneys general under President Bill Clinton: Eric Holder and Jamie Gorelick.

Holder, an Obama confidante who helped lead his vice presidential search, is a favorite among insiders. A former U.S. attorney, Holder is a respected prosecutor who falls neatly into the role of top cop. [...]

Like many possible Cabinet picks, Holder is also bandied about for other jobs, too, including White House counsel.

Gorelick, a member of the 9/11 Commission, would bring serious national security credibility to a Justice Department more focused than ever on protecting the homeland.

There's one obvious downside to Napolitano: she may be the only one who can take out McCain in 2010.

Tags: attorney general, barack obama, janet napolitano (all tags)

Permalink :: 24 Comments :: Post a Comment

I know he wouldn't want it (2.00 / 2)

but I would LOVE to see a Patrick Fitzgerald in this role. He is like the good cop among good cops.

by Jon Niola on Sun Nov 09, 2008 at 10:10:10 PM EST

Re: I know he wouldn't want it (2.00 / 1)

Isn't Fitz a GOPer? Actually, that might work... most Dems trust him and he fits the bipartisanship. If he's a dem then even better.

I wouldn't mind seeing him get some Scotus consideration as well.

by yitbos96bb on Sun Nov 09, 2008 at 10:15:35 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I know he wouldn't want it (none / 0)

Why wouldn't he want it? He's well qualified and it would be the greatest opportunity he's ever been given.

by epenthesis on Sun Nov 09, 2008 at 11:32:54 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I know he wouldn't want it (none / 0)

My wife is an attorney who has worked directly with Fitzpatrick. She praises him highly for things that lawyers do behind the scenes that don't make the headlines. He is very highly regarded by other attorneys.

If he accepted the post, I am confident that he would carry out the policies of the administration, and wouldn't stand any funny business, whether it came from the top down or the bottom up.

I would much rather see AG used for partisan balance rather than Defense or State.

by anoregonreader on Mon Nov 10, 2008 at 12:48:20 PM EST
[ Parent ]

I'd rather see her run for Senate (none / 0)

but I don't think she's a bad choice for AG either.

Join the Iowa progressive community at Bleeding Heartland.

by desmoinesdem on Sun Nov 09, 2008 at 10:10:42 PM EST

Re: I'd rather see her run for Senate (none / 0)

Agreed... She's a great choice, but much better for the Senate...

However, couldn't she just take the job for 2 years and then run in 2010...

Then Again, an even bigger douche in Jon Kyl is up in 2012... so she could do 4 years as AG and then take out Kyl in 2012... Then be a possible VP candidate in 2016.

by yitbos96bb on Sun Nov 09, 2008 at 10:17:51 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I'd rather see her run for Senate (none / 0)

i agree as well. if there ever was an argument for cloning . . .

Change has come to America.

by the mystical vortexes of sedona on Sun Nov 09, 2008 at 10:28:30 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I'd rather see her run for Senate (none / 0)

Or an argument for building strong benches in the Blue and Purple States (and the red as yell) so we have multiple people to run and win.

by yitbos96bb on Sun Nov 09, 2008 at 10:57:55 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Janet Napolitano For Attorney General? (none / 0)

Isn't the AZ Sec. of State (who would succeed Napolitano) a very right-wing Republican? If so, I'd much rather see Napolitano stay until we can run a good candidate for Governor while Napolitano runs for Senate.

by fsm on Sun Nov 09, 2008 at 10:24:43 PM EST

Re: Janet Napolitano For Attorney General? (none / 0)

Jan Brewer is the Sec. State. I don't know how right-wing she is (we've got a lot hard-core wingers in charge here), but she comes off as a pretty horrible person.

While I would like to see Janet take a position in the Federal gov't, she's the only thing holding back a flood of right-wing legislation.

Change has come to America.

by the mystical vortexes of sedona on Sun Nov 09, 2008 at 10:33:06 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Janet Napolitano For Attorney General? (none / 0)

She's right of Jane Hull, which should tell you all you need to know.

by Beomoose on Sun Nov 09, 2008 at 10:46:04 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Janet Napolitano For Attorney General? (none / 0)

Is there no LT Gov in AZ?

by yitbos96bb on Sun Nov 09, 2008 at 10:58:37 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Janet Napolitano For Attorney General? (none / 0)

unfortunately no. We're stuck with a state government that has changed far too little since Statehood, back when offices like LT. Gov wren't considered necessary. While AZ's population may be growing and becoming more progressive, the state and local power bases completely refuse to acknowledge this. Big-state and modern governance issues get blown off because they don't want to admit how big the state is getting, and don't want to put the time, effort, and money into addressing them. The huge R voting blocs (Lots of Mormons, lots of rednecks, lots of rightwing evangelicals, lots of conservative wealthy people, lots of over-60) prevent new leadership from taking the reins.

by Beomoose on Mon Nov 10, 2008 at 12:38:09 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Janet Napolitano For Attorney General? (none / 0)

I'd figure the over 60 would Help as they generally break D... I guess you don't get the NY retirees the way Florida does.

by yitbos96bb on Mon Nov 10, 2008 at 09:22:38 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Janet Napolitano For Attorney General? (none / 0)

Jan Brewer is one of the most vile, despicable politicans we've seen down here in Arizona. And yes, thats including Evan Meacham.

Let the spin begin!

by KoolJeffrey on Sun Nov 09, 2008 at 11:10:40 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Janet Napolitano For Attorney General? (none / 0)

I would love Janet for AG, but the political situation in AZ is very critical. Democrats have made huge gains in the US House representation but we have no major Statewide figures other than Janet. If she's had one failing, in fact, it's that she hasn't helped elevate a possible successor. With her around, we have a shot at finally flipping the arch-conservative state legislature and taking away McCain's seat. If she goes to Washington, it could mean the GOP's now-tenuous grip on AZ will solidify.

by Beomoose on Sun Nov 09, 2008 at 10:50:07 PM EST

agreed should stay as Gov--n/t (none / 0)

by esconded on Sun Nov 09, 2008 at 11:16:25 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Janet Napolitano For Attorney General? (none / 0)

Janet Napolitano would be great as U.S. attorney but i agree the dems path to a continuing hold i the white house requies the democratic growth in the SW. NH, CO, NV, and AZ are quickly turning blue and the GOP will never be able to win the WH back without New England and the SouthWest. If BO takes all of our talent for the states and moves them to Washington then the GOP can start to regroup in these states. We cant afford that yet.

david

by giusd on Mon Nov 10, 2008 at 08:48:31 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Janet Napolitano For Attorney General? (none / 0)

I hope Obama doesn't siphon off Dems in hard-right states like Arizona. Napolitano is needed there, to get a foothold in AZ in very politically difficult terrain.

by baghdadjoe on Sun Nov 09, 2008 at 10:52:33 PM EST

Top Cop? (2.00 / 1)

Oh please, let's not refer to the AG as top cop. That's SO much the wrong emphasis for a progressive.
The AG may be top litigator, or prosecutor. Let's leave "top cop" to the head of the FBI.

by Thaddeus on Sun Nov 09, 2008 at 10:53:03 PM EST

Re: Top Cop? (none / 0)

Really? That is what you care about in this conversation??

Get over yourself

Oh Mammy Dear, we're all mad over here livin' in America

by JDF on Mon Nov 10, 2008 at 05:16:13 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Janet Napolitano For Attorney General? (none / 0)

Definitely concur that Janet is far too valuable as an electoral politician to siphon her off as AG right now. Whether it be Senate in 2010 or 2012, wee need her in the statehouse for now anyway. It's probably going to be Holder, anyway...

by Deeg on Mon Nov 10, 2008 at 01:05:58 AM EST

As an Arizonan, (none / 0)

I can say this is really really a bad idea.
Janet may be a lawyer, but her executive experience triumphs her legal experience at Lewis and Roca. There are thousands of legal experts who can make good AGs, but there are very few good Governors. If BO wants JN to serve him in any capacity, it ought to be executive.

by saguaro on Mon Nov 10, 2008 at 04:00:15 AM EST

Re: As an Arizonan, (none / 0)

The AG runs the Department of Justice... I'd say that is pretty Executive.

by yitbos96bb on Mon Nov 10, 2008 at 09:23:41 AM EST
[ Parent ]

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