There’s a new online news source from Washington called MainJustice: Policy, Politics, and the Law. Their site requires registration. They’ve got a new story about about Mississippi U.S. Attorney choices, and it asks anyone with information to write them and let them know. They report:
Here are the names we’ve heard for the Northern District: Circuit Court Judge Thomas Gardner of Tupelo and Oxford attorney Christi McCoy. We’ve heard rumors – but can’t confirm — that McCoy may have hit some kind of snag in the vetting process. Through an aide, all Gardner would say is that he “has no way of confirming” any information about his potential candidacy. McCoy did not return a phone call seeking comment. We also heard Cindy Mitchell of Clarksdale mentioned for the post.
For the Southern District, the names we’ve heard are Kathy Nester, a Jackson attorney; Deborah McDonald, a lawyer in Natchez; and Dorsey Carson of Jackson. Mississippi bloggers have also mentioned Constance Slaughter-Harvey of Forest. Slaughter-Harvey is an old friend of Thompson and was the first black woman to graduate from the University of Mississippi law school.
They also have an interactive chart on US Attorney nominations. I suspect this will be a good source for information on the changeovers and anything else involving the Justice Department.
I have it from an impeccable source that Constance Slaughter-Harvey withdrew her name from consideration. Not because of any vetting problem but because she’s content doing what she’s doing and doesn’t want the hassle.
nmc: tag cindy Mitchell’s name too, please.
Of course, Mikey.
Cindy would be a great candidate for US Attorney.
Any rumors/news about the open district judge slot in the Southern District?
Can anyone fill me in on the nomination process? How long does it take? When would the Northern District nomination take place? Who confirms the nominee. Who takes the place of the judge who is chosen?
Thanks very much.
Southman
Carlton Reeves has the federal judge post.
I usually just browse the blogs I read without comment, but this post from MainJustice needs to be addressed. It insinuatates that Christi McCoy can’t pass the government background check for U.S. Attorney, but doesn’t give any reason, proof or cite any source for its allegation that “McCoy may have hit some kind of snag in the vetting process.” Without any proof, and citing only rumor and speculation as the basis for this post, it seems to me that this is a classic example of poor reporting or “blogging” practices by MainJustice. It is my understanding that McCoy is the only person being considered for the post and that she has the full support of Bennie Thompson and Travis Childers. I also understand that McCoy’s background check (“vetting process”) has not even begun, making it impossible that she has “hit a snag” in some process which has not yet occurred. I especially find the blogging by MainJustice offensive because it implies that someone who could possibly be the first female U.S. Attorney in Mississippi is somehow unqualified for the position.
If someone else has documented proof that MainJustice’s blog is correct, please post it. But in the absence of any reliable and verifiable information, I wouldn’t put any credence into such specualtion and innuendo.
Well said Okie, I have talked to several folks and no one confirms this report. We were hearing stuff constantly a few months back, when speculation was rampant about who Thompson/Childers would submit. Curtis Ivy, Ronald Michaels, Kelly Mims, Lawrence Deas, then Christie McCoy and finally rumors about Judge Gardner. But all that seemed to settle out and it went completely silent, which indicates to me that the choice was made(everyone indicated Christie McCoy)and the vetting process began. Everyone i talked to since then has said she shouldnt have any problems getting through vetting or confirmation, except maybe some Republican wringing of hands over her former employer, which most didnt think mattered either in fact or in practicality since the 60th vote.
Pam, if we look at recent history, Greenlee was announced as confirmed in August. The speculation was that a choice would be made by Thompson/Childers in late Feb-Mar, then there would be some internal (Whitehouse and DOJ) vetting of that submission. One would assume the IRS, FBI and other background checks would be done in this phase. Once the person was fully vetted, (assuming about a two month process) the President would announce their nomination and send their name to the Senate for confirmation. Therefore, you would asssume the name should come out officially around late June to be sent to the Congress to kick around later this summer.
If a Judge were to be chosen, the Governor would select the replacement and that person would run for re-election in 2010.
I suppose it would be totally radical and unheard of to simply keep Jim Greenlee on the job —who has done a great job in this position.
BTW, who was McCoy’s previous employer as referenced by Monticello?
[...] I quoted a story on the MainJustice site about the Northern District of Mississippi U.S. Attorney selection. [...]
McCoy worked at Joey langstons law firm. Worked with Joey Langston, Richard Bowen, Ronald Michael, Daniel Tucker.
Christi is from Booneville. Langston’s firm was the biggest in town for a long time and well connected(attorney for the Board of Supervisors, etc.), so it’s not at all unusual that she found work there early in her career. After leaving that firm, she has gone on to have remarkable success. “Guilt by association” shouldn’t (even if it does in reality) play any role.
Monticello, thanks for the information.