Latest Developments, US Attorney Purge

Yesterday, Senate Republicans blocked a bill introduced by Senator Dianne Feinstein that would have curbed the Justice Department's power to fire and replace federal prosecutors. Laurie Kellman writes for the Associated Press:

The objection by Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., to the proposal was long anticipated. So Democrats used the occasion to complain anew about the firings of at least seven prosecutors, some without cause, under a little-known part of the Patriot Act.

Democrats say Attorney General Alberto Gonzales used the law to get around the Senate confirmation process and install Republican allies.

Gonzales, Kyl and other Republicans say this approach could lead prosecutors to be appointed for reasons other than their qualifications.

The other new development is that former Karl Rove assistant Tim Griffin, who was appointed to replace Bud Cummins, the U.S. attorney in Little Rock, has decided he won't go forward with the Senate confirmation process because he thinks the Senate will be mean to him. Details beneath the fold.