Argh and double argh!!! Now that the
Isikoff article is out (see
here for background), we have more clarity. Bush Skull & Bones buddy Robert McCallum, currently an Associate Attorney General, is "likely" to perform James Comey's duties as "Acting Deputy Attorney General" while the Senate considers Timothy Flanigan as the permanent replacement. According to Isikoff, Fitzgerald might have no choice but to report to McCallum in this role, and there's NOT A DAMN THING THE SENATE CAN DO ABOUT IT!
Thus, Bush Skull & Bones buddy McCallum (who appears to have a fetish for
secrecy), is perfectly positioned for Saturday Night Massacre 2.0!!! Take it away Isikoff:
Associate Attorney General Robert McCallum is "likely" to be named as acting deputy A.G., a DOJ official who asked not to be identified because of the sensitivity of the matter tells NEWSWEEK. But McCallum may be seen as having his own conflicts: he is an old friend of President Bush's and a member of his Skull and Bones class at Yale. One question: how much authority Comey's successor will have over Fitzgerald. When Comey appointed Fitzgerald in 2003, the deputy granted him extraordinary powers to act however he saw fit--but noted he still had the right to revoke Fitzgerald's authority.
If things shake out this way, then the Bush subversion of the Justice system for political ends will be complete.
Update [2005-8-7 13:9:19 by pontificator]: LNK has more on McCallum here.