Arkansas Blog: Political grapevine -- UPDATE

The Arkansas Times this week calls editorially for Tim Griffin to step down as U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, though we stop somewhere short of a call for the National Guard to step in should he continue to be reluctant.

But, seriously, given the odor that lingers from his politically motivated appointment -- and the scandal it has produced -- it's the right thing to do.

So now comes word from a couple of sources that Griffin may actually be prepared to announce a departure from that office shortly. Well and good.

But not exactly..

Might Griffin wind up on the campaign staff of a Republican presidential candidate -- someone like Fred Thompson, say? And, if he does, might he be willing to talk about whether he had any discussions about that work while he was U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas? And, if that's so, might this not be another example of WHY, for goodness sakes, the Karl Rove plan (Rove being a former rabbi to political oppo research man Griffin) to politicize the Justice Department was such a terribly bad idea?

Maybe I'm just dreaming. Watch as things develop.

UPDATE: Here's a squib from the Wall Street Journal Washington Wire that indicates the U.S. attorney has indeed been doing some politicking amid his prosecuting, as we indicated last night:

Backers look for Fred Thompson to use a June 2 speech to Virginia Republicans to step closer toward the race. Thompson allies have had discussions with Tim Griffin, the Arkansas U.S. attorney and Rove protégé, about taking a top job with the campaign.

UPDATE II: But wait. Another source says Griffin will be leaving the U.S. attorney's office soon, but for corporate work.

Comments

Say Max - love the posts ( as always) yet cant we savor the moment? Bask in the light of redemption..in that the self-destruction of Bush, Cheney, Bush's Brain (Rover - the wonder-dog) and the Wofman (see "don't let the World bank door hit you on yer arse on the way out") ? It's ok to enjoy the (brief) moment in finally watching the high and mighty, self-destruct - and then watch their delusional denial scamper as they spin, twist, finger-point, blame and attempt and fail, in this nightmarish, six-year long fiasco..that ends with history cruely and justifiably encasing the fact - That Bush and Co. was of one of the worst adminstrations in recent history!

Posted by: yapperjohn | May 29, 2007 08:55 PM

"But, seriously, given the odor that lingers from his politically motivated appointment -- and the scandal it has produced -- it's the right thing to do."

Pray tell when has anyone in the Bush administration ever done the right thing? I think they Google the right thing and then do the opposite. And why haven't the Democrats hauled Tim Griffin's ass up before a House committee by now? Griffin isn't going to start blabbing all he knows to fellow shoppers in Wal-Mart. He'll have to be scared to death or hung by his thumbs before we know what he knows.

Will Congress ever do anything about the fact that the testimonies of Gonzales, Samson, and Goodling don't seem to match? Can I lie my ass off to Congress and get away with it? Seems so.

Everything points to Bush not budging, Gonzales finishing out his term as AG and Tim Griffin staying in by hook or crook and we all know how good they are with that crook part.

We should all call for Griffin's resignation, the workers at McDonald's ought to turn him away at the drive-thru window tomorrow....he should be shunned. But don't be holding your breath that anyone in the Bush administration is going to do the right thing.

Posted by: Deathbyinches | May 29, 2007 09:44 PM

"Opposition research". Isn't that where Griffin and Goodling met and hit it off? Dirt-digging and mudslinging? Not something I'd put on my résumé, but it seems to have cachet among Republicans these days.

"Memento quia pulvis es, et in pulverem reverteris."

Posted by: widj | May 29, 2007 09:59 PM

way to go arkansas times. this needs to be done and you are the leader.

Posted by: zonker | May 29, 2007 10:20 PM

Beautiful.

Tim Griffin must go...and since 85 percent of our Guard is busy.. he needs to step down.

And Fred Thompson who financially supported Scooter Libbys defense fund would be quite likely as the next step in Grifters employment line.

Posted by: Eureka Springs, AR | May 30, 2007 12:16 AM

My sincerest thanks go to Mr. Brantley and the AT staff for this brilliant gesture which speaks on my behalf.

Posted by: hugh mann | May 30, 2007 12:45 AM

How many times have we heard someone at DOJ tell us Cummins was targeted for removal because an Arkansas Times story reported he might not stay for Bush's full term? If indeed your reports carry such authority, this one should also be a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Posted by: learningcurve | May 30, 2007 08:24 AM

Max, why did you call Rove a rabbi to Griffin? Just using the term in place of teacher? Rove is not Jewish, he's just a Nazi....oops, excuse me, German.

ARK. BLOG: I see it used, as I did here, to connote something more than teacher, someone who imbues his student with his spirit as well.

Posted by: Janus | May 30, 2007 08:58 AM

Thanks Max, that connotation works for me.
G-d, if Rove was Jewish I was going to figure out a way to take back his circumcision. Perhaps with a rusty blade.

ARK. BLOG: I've been having a little sport with this, truth told. I've had Griffin previously as a Rove acolyte and his choir boy. Capo. Button man. Homey. Etc.

Posted by: Janus | May 30, 2007 10:37 AM

Arkansas Blog

Political grapevine -- UPDATE

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