Steve Benen makes great point about President Obama's choice of James Comey to be the next Director

[kpete]

But there's one other angle that's worth thinking about as the process unfolds: if Obama had any reason to worry about ongoing investigations casting the White House in a negative light, the president would not have chosen a Republican with a history of independence to lead the FBI. On the contrary, if Obama were the least bit concerned about the so-called "scandals," he'd be eager to do the opposite -- choosing a Democratic ally for the FBI.

http://www.boomantribune.com/story/2013/5/30/91656/1770
http://maddowblog.msnbc.com/_news/2013/05/30/18612173-obama-taps-comey-for-fbi


and:

James Comey – Evidence of a Crime
By Michael Collins, on May 29th, 2013

Former Deputy Attorney General (2003-2005) James Comey is said to be the choice of President Barack Obama for the Attorney General post. Comey played a central role in frustrating the Bush White House attempt to get Justice Department approval for illegal wiretapping from then Attorney General John Ashcroft as Ashcroft lay suffering, semi-conscious in his hospital bed suffering from a severe case of Gallstone Pancreatitis. Comey was the acting attorney general and refused a DOJ sign off as to the legality of the program (as he and Ashcroft had agreed just before Ashcroft’s hospitalization). Comey acted with the highest integrity that day. It’s a fascinating story. This 2007 article outlines the events showing that integrity truly matters in the selection of a public servant. Michael Collins
http://agonist.org/james-comey-evidence-of-a-crime/

[Baitball Blogger]

1. Yeah, you say that now.

Louis Freeh, as FBI director was a triangulatory mistake. And Comey is in an even more volatile position.

[freshwest]

2. Sounds good. When I heard about that stunt, I never got mad at Ashcroft again.

While mocking him as many did, Ashcroft held on to his notions of right and wrong and the law. The last Republicans with principles were driven out of office by GWB, such as John McKay.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_McKay_%28attorney%29