Vitter Blocking The President’s US Attorney Appointment: The Plot Thickens

Posted by Arjun Jaikumar  

06:30 PM Jan 27, 2010

The controversy around David Vitter’s attempt to block President Obama’s appointee as US Attorney in Shreveport, LA has increased in the wake of the much publicized arrest of four men trying to break into Democratic Sen. Mary Landrieu’s office.

Bringing the charges against the four men was Jim Letten, the U.S. attorney in New Orleans and a holdover Bush Administration appointee. One of four arrested Monday in the alleged plot was Robert Flanagan, the son of Bill Flanagan, a career prosecutor who is the acting U.S. attorney in Shreveport, La.

A week ago, President Barack Obama nominated Stephanie Finley for the U.S. attorney's post in Shreveport.

Sen. David Vitter, R-La., is blocking Senate action on Finley's nomination and Obama's other nominees for federal justice system posts in Louisiana until he hears from the White House whether Obama will let Letten keep his job, Vitter's office said Wednesday.

Given the serious nature of the allegations and the connections of the accused to the Western District US Attorney’s office, why does David Vitter continue to obstruct the appointment of critical law enforcement officers?

And what is it about Jim Letten that is so important to Vitter that it necessitates blocking those key appointments?

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Thanks for writing, Jeramee

Arjun Jaikumar — 11:06 AM Jan 30, 2010

and I'm sorry you're so disappointed.

We do care very much what you have to say - that's why we have features like State of the Races, the live chats with JB, the discussions on our Facebook page, and a pretty free flow of comments on this blog.

I know I don't post many comments here and neither do other DSCC staff members (in part, we don't want our moderation to be too heavy-handed on this blog), but I promise that we read every one, and we *do* listen to what you have to say. And it makes a difference to us.

Thanks again for your thoughts.

-Arjun