Next up in the series on the upcoming Obama cabinet: Who would make the best Attorney General? For me, that would be the person best qualified to dismantle the so-called PATRIOT act (or at least push to administratively gut it). For others, it may be someone motivated to bring at least a few of the players from the current Bush White House to justice.
Myself, I wouldn't mind a surprise here - say someone like WA Gov Christine Gregoire. She was the lead AG in the first of the major tobacco "settlements".
To some extent, every D state AG might be considered. So I can't have an unlimited list. The poll includes an option for "Someone Else," plus a request to specify in the comments.
Once again, poll and brief description of each candidate on the flip. I evaluate each option as best I can. (I had to research the credentials of a few.) I trust others will add more data, including why others would be great or awful. I may have missed a few excellent candidates, so please feel free to add your own.
Pimping previous diaries on the topic:
Cabinet Diary 1 - Secretary of State (with poll)
Cabinet Diary 2 - Secretary of the Treasury (with poll)
Cabinet Diary 3 - Secretary of Defense (with poll)
One bit on these potential AGs - I wish there were more candidates who have gotten their law degrees at somewhere other than Harvard. While I appreciate the meritocracy (I am an Ivy League grad too.), Harvard is not the only excellent law school in America.
Eric Holder - Co-chair of the Obama VP search committee. Columbia Law. US Atty, DC. Associate Judge, DC Superior Court. Deputy AG during the Clinton admin.
Janet Napolitano - Current Gov of Arizona. Lots of speculation around her, though I'd prefer that she take out McSame once and for all in 2010. UVa Law. US Atty for District of AZ. Experienced with immigration issues.
Jamie Gorelick - Deputy AG during the Clinton admin. Harvard Law. Member of the 9/11 commission. Blamed by Ashcroft and cronies for building a "wall" which they claimed prevented investigations on the "20th hijacker".
Artur Davis - Rep, Alabama 7th district. First congressman outside of IL to endorse Obama. Judiciary committee member, Harvard Law. Member of the "New Democrat" caucus. Matt Stoller suggests that he's the likely choice, per http://www.openleft.com/... .
Patrick Fitzgerald - US Atty, N. IL district. Special Counsel, Plame affair. Harvard Law. Republican. But his investigation nearly brought down a number of key players in the Bush administration.
Deval Patrick - Gov, MA. Assistant AG, Civil Rights, Clinton admin. Harvard Law. Against the death penalty. Reportedly wants to finish his term. Would be succeeded by a D Lt. Gov.
Charles Ogletree - Professor, Harvard Law - both Barack and Michelle Obama were his students. Named in 2000 "one of America's most influential lawyers"
Tim Kaine - Gov, VA. Harvard Law. Per Wikipedia, "Kaine practiced law in Richmond for 17 years, specializing in representing people who had been denied housing opportunities because of their race or disability." Would be succeeded by a R Lt. Gov.
Chris Gregoire - Gov, WA. As stated in the intro, was the lead AG for the joint Tobacco lawsuit by a group of states in the '90s. Gonzaga Law. Just reelected. Would be succeeded by a D Lt. Gov. (Disclaimer - this is just a personal favorite, I haven't seen Gregoire on any list.)
Kamala Harris - SF DA, Death Penalty opponent. UC (Hastings) Law. Cited by the NYT as a potential future President http://www.nytimes.com/... suggested by Sven on OpenLeft per http://openleft.com/...
Russ Feingold - Sen, WI. Well known opponent of the so-called PATRIOT act. Also voted against Ashcroft's confirmation. Introduced resolution to Censure Bush back in '06. Oxford (Magdalen) / Harvard Law.