No Confirmation Without Whitehouse Documents?

I had been under the impression that most of the Senate Democrats had been castrated upon being sworn in. And indeed, they may only be bluffing, but they're at least pretending that they have balls today. From the NY Times:

Two Senate Democrats warned Monday that the Judiciary Committee would delay confirmation of President Bush’s choice for attorney general unless the White House turned over documents that the panel was seeking for several investigations.

[...]

But two Democrats who will have a powerful say over whether Mr. Mukasey gets confirmed — Senators Patrick J. Leahy of Vermont and Charles E. Schumer of New York — vowed on Monday to use the nomination to extract information from a reluctant White House.

“All I want is the material we need to ask some questions about the former attorney general’s conduct, on torture and warrantless wiretapping, so we can legitimately ask, ‘Here’s what was done in the past, what will you do?”’ Mr. Leahy, the Judiciary Committee chairman, said.

[...]

The White House wants Mr. Mukasey confirmed by Oct. 8, when the Senate leaves for its next recess. But Mr. Leahy said there would be no quick confirmation without the documents. He said he had told the White House counsel, Fred F. Fielding, that “cooperation with the White House would be central” to scheduling hearings.

My only worry is that Bush has used recess appointments in the past to make his choices permanent without Senate confirmation. I may have missed it, but I don't recall this (excess) power being taken away from Bush.

Amazing Qualifications for New Secretary of Homeland Security

So, CNN thinks Michael Chertoff is going to replace Alberto Gonzales. Mr. Chertoff happens to be the head of Homeland Security. So, who is going to get his job?

CNN Video is reporting that Clay Johnson III is the likely replacement.

Let's take a look at Mr. Johnson's qualifications, currently serving as the Deputy Budget Director.

Of course, he's a Bush Loyalist. Not that there would be any doubt among Americans, since Bush only appoints Loyalists. In case there is, though, the final proof is the George W Bush doll that he keeps on his desk.

In fact, Mr. Johnson is so loyal, that he's apparently been given the rare privilege of spanking the President's dog, Barney.

Bush has known Mr. Johnson since they were in prep school, and Mr. Johnson has served his country uhh, his state George W Bush in the past as his Gubernatorial Chief of Staff, in Texas.

In fact, King George chose Mr. Johnson for the Chief of Staff position because:

"I want someone whose primary interest is me - George Bush - and who doesn't hope to parlay this into something and isn't trying to curry favor with this one or that one," Bush told Johnson and his wife, Anne Sewell Johnson, over lunch.

Taking a look at Clay Johnson III's bio, I see nowhere that he's got an ounce of relevant experience, though. (I'm doing something rare and putting the whole thing here, assuming that it will likely change in the near future)

Clay Johnson III
Deputy Director for Management
Office of Management and Budget

Clay Johnson III

Clay Johnson is the Deputy Director for Management at the Office of Management and Budget. The Deputy Director for Management provides government-wide leadership to Executive Branch agencies to improve agency and program performance. Prior to this he was the Assistant to the President for Presidential Personnel, responsible for the organization that identifies and recruits approximately 4000 senior officials, middle management personnel and part-time board and commission members.

From 1995 to 2000, Mr. Johnson worked with Governor George W. Bush in Austin, first as his Appointments Director, then as his Chief of Staff, and then as the Executive Director of the Bush-Cheney Transition.

Mr. Johnson has been the Chief Operating Officer for the Dallas Museum of Art and the President of the Horchow and Neiman Marcus Mail Order companies. He also has worked for Citicorp, Wilson Sporting Goods and Frito Lay.

He received his undergraduate degree from Yale University and a Masters degree from MIT’s Sloan School of Management. In Austin, he helped create the Texas State History Museum, and was also an Adjunct Professor at the University of Texas Graduate School of Business. In Dallas, he served as President of the Board of Trustees for St. Marks School of Texas, and as a Board Member of Equitable Bankshares, Goodwill Industries of Dallas, and the Dallas Chapter of the Young Presidents Organization.

So, that leaves me scratching my head, wondering how Johnson's Bush doll, experience spanking Barney and undying loyalty to Bush are going to protect our homeland?

(h/t Think Progress)

P.S. I wonder if the Bush doll looks like this?