Several Bush-Era US Attorneys Want to Stay on the Job
Several U.S. attorneys appointed by former President Bush have indicated they would like to stay on the job, making the decision whether to replace them fraught with political sensitivity.
The issue has vexed prior administrations, the Washington Post reports. President Clinton was criticized for asking all the U.S. attorneys to submit their resignations after he took office. And special prosecutor Nora Dannehy is investigating whether nine U.S. attorneys were improperly fired by Bush administration officials because of political considerations.
Dozens of U.S. attorneys remain on the job, the story says. One of them, Patrick Fitzgerald of Chicago, will not be fired. He is leading the corruption investigation of former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
Others who would like to stay, or who have won backing from supporters:
• Mary Beth Buchanan of the Western District of Pennsylvania. She has told reporters she does not plan to submit her resignation. She oversaw a recent FBI raid of fundraisers close to Democratic U.S. Rep. John Murtha and has close connections to Republican Sen. Rick Santorum, an advocate for anti-abortion and Christian groups, the story says.
• U.S. Attorney Drew Wrigley of North Dakota. His supporters say he needs to remain to pursue the death penalty for a man convicted of murdering a college student.
• U.S. attorney Jim Letten, who has won praise for pursuing a heavy caseload after Hurricane Katrina.
