I wish I had a stopwatch handy to clock CNN today. If the story about NFL superstar/dogfighting fan Michael Vick's guilty plea has not drawn more time than Alberto Gonzales' resignation, it's a darn close second....I've not heard much in the way of insightful commentary about who the heck Bush is going to nominate to replace his longtime legal lieutenant (who years ago helped keep news of Bush's DWI suppressed). People I know at the Justice Department have been saying for months that the agency cannot attract lawyers to fill all the recent vacancies at the top. So who's going to want to take the A.G. slot? (Hey, what's Rick Santorum doing these days?)

Bush's choice is clear. He can go with a crony (if any are left) or a Cheney-bot, though doing so will trigger a major clash in the Senate (unless Bush tries to pull a sneaky recess appointment). Or he can find a graybeard that establishment Washington will drool over. ("Jack Danforth! What a superb move.") The downside of the non-crony option: having someone who cares more about the law than the Bush administration in charge of the Justice Department. Who knows what sort of trouble that could cause? There may be a move in-between these two option: Senator Orrin Hatch. Though a conservative Republican, he's not exactly a crony. And he's no above-it-all mainstreamer, but he's popular enough within Washington. Most important, he can be confirmed. In fact, Bush's best bet would be a current or past senator. Few would be turned down. (Even John Ashcroft got seven Democratic votes.) But does Hatch want the post? This is no slam-dunk. Cleaning up--or covering up--Gonzales' mess could get in the way of a down-the-road Supreme Court nomination for him.

Here's my "Capital Games" column from www.thenation.com on the Gonzales retreat:

GONZALES: NOT A MAN OF HIS WORD?

Is Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, who today announced his resignation, a man of his word? Consider his comments of recent months.

March 13, 2007:

I've overcome a lot of obstacles in my life to become attorney general. I am here not because I give up. I am here because I've learned from my mistakes, because I accept responsibility, and because I am committed to doing my job. And that is what I intend to do here on behalf of the American people.

July 24, 2007:

From my perspective, there are two options available in light of these allegations [regarding the firings of the U.S. attorneys]. I could walk away or I could devote my time, effort and energy to fix the problems. Since I have never been one to quit, I decided that the best course of action was to remain here and fix the problems. That is exactly what I am doing.

While fending off attacks, Gonzales declared (1) he was not a quitter; (2) it was up to George W. Bush whether he stayed on as A.G. or left; and (3) he was committed to working hard as attorney general to protect the American people, particularly safeguarding the nation's children from Internet predators.

Well, he is quitting. And in a brief public statement today--no questions, please!--Bush said he was "reluctantly" accepting Gonzales' resignation, suggesting that Gonzales had decided to skedaddle on his own. Though Gonzales in a brief statement gave no reason for his resignation--as if one was needed--Bush explained his consigliere's departure by saying "his good name was dragged through the mud for political reason." Bush did not explain what partisan motives have spurred Republican Senators Tom Coburn, John Sununu, Chuck Hagel, John McCain, Jeff Sessions, Norm Coleman, Susan Collins, Olympia Snowe, Gordon Smith, George Voinovich, Charles Grassley, Lamar Alexander, Arlen Specter, and Lindsey Graham to question Gonzales' credibility and performance, with several of them calling for his resignation. And, finally, what about the children Gonzales was so committed to protecting? Sadly, they will have to get on without him.

With research assistance from Matthew Blake.

BACK TO THE FUTURE. Talk about someone who must not have a lot to do these days. See this press release from the McCain campaign:

ARLINGTON, VA -- U.S. Senator John McCain's presidential campaign today announced that the Honorable Robert Mosbacher will join Senator McCain's team and serve as a general chairman.

Mosbacher also served as general chairman of the Republican National Committee and created the Team 100 program. Additonally, he served as finance chairman for former President Gerald Ford and Executive committee member for President Ronald Reagan.

Posted by David Corn at August 27, 2007 01:57 PM