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Alberto Gonzales Blamed for Bernie Kerik Nomination

By Jeralyn, Section Other Politics
Posted on Sun Apr 08, 2007 at 01:52:00 AM EST
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We all know that Rudy Giuliani was behind Bernie Kerik's failed nomination for Homeland Security Chief.

Why is it coming out now that Alberto Gonzales personally was the one who vetted him....and failed to quash the nomination? The Washington Post devotes 4 online pages to the Gonzales-Kerik connection.

Alarmed about the raft of allegations, several White House aides tried to raise red flags. But the normal investigation process was short-circuited, the sources said. Bush's top lawyer, Alberto R. Gonzales, took charge of the vetting, repeatedly grilling Kerik about the issues that had been raised. In the end, despite the concerns, the White House moved forward with his nomination -- only to have it collapse a week later.

How is it that Rudy thinks he can pass this off onto Alberto Gonzales? It gives new meaning to "kick him while he's down."

The Bernie Kerik fiasco would not have happened but for Rudy. The blame is his. He knew more about Bernie than anyone else.

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    Alberto Gonzales Blamed for Bernie Kerik Nomination | 6 comments (6 topical)

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    Edit (none / 0) (#1)
    by CMike on Sun Apr 08, 2007 at 12:25:05 AM EST
    He knew more about Bernie than anyone else.

    thanks, I fixed it (none / 0) (#4)
    by Jeralyn on Sun Apr 08, 2007 at 09:47:30 AM EST


    Parent
    i don't necessarily buy that (none / 0) (#2)
    by profmarcus on Sun Apr 08, 2007 at 08:07:26 AM EST
    yes, rudy put kerik forward as the nominee, and, yes, rudy certainly knew about kerik's past... but the thing that leaps out at me is how the vetting process was short-circuited... none of the negatives made any difference... what REALLY counted was the prospect of, first, unwavering bush loyalty, and, second, unquestioning commitment to republican ideology... as long as bernie kerik professed that, no problem... then there's the obvious question: how many OTHER vetting processes have been short-circuited in order to fast-track bushco and republican party loyalists, qualifications and background be damned...? my guess...? a lot...

    http://takeitpersonally.blogspot.com/

    Is there evidence suggesting. . . (none / 0) (#3)
    by LarryInNYC on Sun Apr 08, 2007 at 09:42:52 AM EST
    that Giuliani is behind the WaPo story casting blame on Gonzales?  It would be completely in character for Giuliani to do that (remember his blaming the soldiers, not the President, for the failure to uncover WMD?) but to me this just seems to be more media piling-on, fair though it is.

    a nice outcome (none / 0) (#5)
    by Baal on Sun Apr 08, 2007 at 10:53:26 AM EST
    I think that putting this back into the newspapers can only be a good thing.  After all, Kerik is such an obvious crook, it can only serve to remind people of the stench that surrounds the GOP at pretty much all levels.

    (Of course Atrios reminds us that the media spin will be that this is good for the Republicans)

    our priorities are messed up (none / 0) (#6)
    by fiver on Sun Apr 08, 2007 at 11:04:30 AM EST
    We're so eager to concentrate on the terrorists we overlook the crooks in our mists because of the "the sheen of a 9/11 hero".

    I think Gonzo deserves some responsibility for poor vetting.  His claim thus far in the attorney scandal ammounts to: "I'm incompentant and don't know what's happening in my own department"...I think this is more proof that he's right.

    Alberto Gonzales Blamed for Bernie Kerik Nomination | 6 comments (6 topical)

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