Dakota

Where Have All the Good Republicans Gone?

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James Comey, former Deputy Attorney General, an ethical Republican, testified yesterday in front of the House Judiciary Committee. You can watch the movies on YouTube. Comey is no longer with the Department of Justice. From a Law.Com article in 2005:

In a deeply partisan administration that places a high premium on political loyalty, sources say Comey -- a career prosecutor and a former U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York -- is not viewed as a team player.

"[Comey] has shown insufficient political savvy," says the former official. "The perception is that he has erred too much on the side of neutrality and independence."

Comey declined to comment.

Comey's reputation as a prosecutor is that of a "straight arrow." He is perhaps best known for smoothing the relationship between federal prosecutors in New York and Northern Virginia -- sites of the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon -- in the days following Sept. 11, 2001, while he was the U.S. Attorney in New York.

When asked about the CIA leak investigation during his Senate confirmation hearing, Comey stated: "I don't care about politics. I don't care about expediency. I care about doing the right thing."

He's gone. He was clearly disturbed by the policies of the DOJ under Gonzales. From an email Comey wrote to fired federal prosecutor Bud Cummins

You're a good man and have handled this maelstrom with great dignity. Watching it causes me great pain for the USA's,whom I respect, and the Department, which I love. Regardless, I will not sit by and watch good people smeared. What's that quotation about all that's necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to remain silent?"

Comey is speaking the truth -- quite a contrast to his superior's performance before the same committee.

Photo note: The contrast between light and darkness.

Addendum: Look at the testimony differences between Comey and William E. Moschella , Deputy Attorney General, Bush loyalist and big fat liar.

Posted by Dakota at May 4, 2007 05:56 AM