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Tim Flanigan's Confirmation as Deputy AG

By Jeralyn, Section Other Politics
Posted on Sun Oct 02, 2005 at 06:47:38 PM EST
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With the focus last week on Tom Delay, Bill Frist and Judith Miller, there has been very little attention devoted to Timothy Flanigan, President Bush’s controversial Deputy Attorney General nominee, who is tied to indicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff and the torture scandal.

In 2002, Flanigan was the top deputy to then-White House counsel Alberto R. Gonzales -- during the period when the infamous Justice Department memo was written opining that if pain caused by physical coercion during interrogation did not result in major organ failure or death, it wasn't really torture.

As Senator Dick Durbin said in a Judiciary Committee meeting last week (received by e-mail):

If he is confirmed, Mr. Flanigan will supervise the prosecution of individuals who are accused of torturing prisoners. He will oversee the investigation of Jack Abramoff. He will head President Bush’s Corporate Fraud Task Force. We have to make certain that there are no conflicts of interest that will prevent Mr. Flanigan from performing his duties if he is confirmed.

The Judiciary Committee was scheduled to vote on his nomination last week, but the vote was delayed because Committee Democrats have asked for another hearing.

Specter said he will confer with committee members before deciding whether to bring Flanigan, Tyco's general counsel, back for another round of questions at a hearing Democrats are demanding. Flanigan also should provide more information about his role in approving procedures for interrogating suspected terrorists in U.S. detention, Specter said.

For more background:

  • For how this fits into the broader corruption scandal, see Robert Scheer’s most recent column.
< Say Hello : Saddam Hussein Trial Blog and Torture Compendium | Arrested and Uncharged Muslim Chaplain Publishes Gitmo Book >

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    Tim Flanigan's Confirmation as Deputy AG | 5 comments (5 topical)
    Re: Tim Flanigan's Confirmation as Deputy AG (none / 0) (#1)
    by squeaky on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:04:36 PM EST
    It would seem that the repugs would want to do some damage control here and pull Flannagan. But, considering his close ties with Bush I doubt they will back away from the nomination. Since the dems seem in the mood for confirmations these days I do not expect much resistance from them. I guess that they are holding off for the big one, aka Godot.

    Re: Tim Flanigan's Confirmation as Deputy AG (none / 0) (#2)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:04:36 PM EST
    Here's the latest Republican rap sheet.

    Re: Tim Flanigan's Confirmation as Deputy AG (none / 0) (#3)
    by squeaky on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:04:36 PM EST
    AA-gosh your comment has nothing to do with the post. Yes your site is nice, but at least add something here before you advertise your site. In your enthusiam you lose track of how you may appear here.

    Re: Tim Flanigan's Confirmation as Deputy AG (none / 0) (#4)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:04:47 PM EST
    Check out this post on the same topic:

    Re: Tim Flanigan's Confirmation as Deputy AG (none / 0) (#5)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:04:47 PM EST
    Here's that relevant post. http://agendagap.blogspot.com/2005/10/bushs-hacktocracy.html>linked text

    Tim Flanigan's Confirmation as Deputy AG | 5 comments (5 topical)