Sherlock Google thanks for highlighting the Guam Connection. Using google, I found
this interesting report from Jan 2003. It's a investigative report from rlenelive (which I've never heard of)a Guam TV station (I think).
The report focuses on Fred Black's replacement. Black, if you recall, was the US Atty investigating the Abramhoff stuff in Guam. Black was the acting US Atty General for 11 years prior to being demoted and replaced, by, as it turns out, a recommendation of Karl Rove.
A summary below the fold...
Two days after the 2002 election (November 8, 2002,) [Guam]governor-elect Felix Camacho sent a letter of endorsement for Black for United States Attorney for Guam and the Northern Marianas to the White House.
So the new Govornor of Guam seemed to think Black was the right person for the job at US Atty. (He had been "acting" US atty up to this point, for about 11 years.)
He was basically skipped over for a choice made by the the Repub. campaign heads.
In the spring of 2001, the titular head of the Republican Party, Speaker Antonio Unpingco, called the Assistant Attorney General of Guam and Head of Violent Crime Unit, Lenny Rapadas and asked him if he would be interested in the position of US Attorney. Rapadas met and spoke to Unpingco and accepted his offer and on the same day met and spoke to the Republican Party Chair, David Sablan. Sablan concurred with Unpingco's choice and directed Rapadas to submit his application on-line. Shortly after their meeting, Sablan informed and solicited the support of the co-chairs of the Bush for President campaign on Guam, members of the Republican National Committee on Guam and the Coalition of Pacific Islands Republican Parties for the Rapadas nomination. Rapadas was not a sole consideration of the Republican Party for the position.
I smell "crony." His name is "Leonardo M. Rapadas"
When Black was invited to speak at a Guam TV Station about not being nominated for US Atty. he said,
Black declined a studio interview but stated that he would support the President's nomination and is prepared to assure a smooth transition if Rapadas is the President's choice.
So what has the White House got on Black? 11 Years acting US Atty and they skip over him and Black goes down without a fight? No answers, just questions.
Now on to Rapadas.
At Talking Points Memo Joshua Micah picked up on an LA Times story that tells us Rapada's name came from Karl Rove. Surprise surpise. I guessed Crony, before I searched on Rapada. (self congratulatory pat on the back).
This is all I've got so far. Back to Google.
ARB