After Congressman Dave Reichert (R-Wa 8thCD) recommended that Republican Rick White replace fired US Attorney John McKay, it soon became apparent that there was a problem. Rick White couldn't even practise law in the State of Washington.
Conventional thinking was that the happless but partisan Dave Reichert had made another dumb mistake.
But was it really that simple?
On closer examination, it appears that Rick White was a corporate lobbyist for the high tech industry. During this period its unclear if Rick might have been passing himself off as active lawyer during the period when his liscense was suspended. According to the Seattle Times:
White said he let his license lapse because he wasn't practicing law.
But according to a Wall Street Journal Report:
White was a partner in the Seattle law firm Perkins Coie LLP and was general counsel for Seattle-based Internet company OneName Corp. White resigned from both of these positions to become CEO of TechNet, a lobbying firm for the high tech industry, which represented Microsoft, Intel and other high tech firms.
But here's where the story gets more interesting. Rick White steppped down as CEO of TechNet in 2005.
And who was his replacement? According to it business edge
Lezlee Westine is leaving her job as director of public liaison and deputy assistant to President Bush to become CEO of TechNet
But eweek was a little more specific:
Until this month, Lezlee Westine answered directly to President Bush's top adviser, Karl Rove, but as of next week, she will answer to CEOs Craig Barrett, of Intel Corp.; John Chambers, of Cisco System Inc.; Stratton Sclavo, of VeriSign Inc.; and 14 other IT luminaries.
Are we suppposed to take this musical chair performance as just a coincidence?
Rove assistant Leslee Westine becomes CEO of TechNet, replacing Rick White, who is then recommended by Dave Reichert to be the new Washington State Attorney?
Senator Leahy might want to consider calling Congressman Dave Reichert to testify on this matter.
Was the idea to recommend Rick White really Dave Reichert's idea, or was it suggest by Karl Rove or his staff? Better yet, the Senate Judiciary Committe might want to consider issueing a subpoena for correspondence between Dave Reichert and Karl Rove, Kyle Sampson, Monica Goodling.