Johnson Dynasty spin continues
When the Tim Johnson camp needs to try to tell their side of the story, unfettered by critical judgement – who are they going to call?
Why, the Argus Leader, of course.
And as we watch what’s in the wash in today’s spin cycle, we have the Johnson camp continuing to try to justify the nomination of Tim Johnson’s son as U.S. Attorney:
Given the Johnsons’ father-son relationship, there is the possibility, though, that the White House would make the nomination for South Dakota’s U.S. Attorney, Brendan Johnson says.
“What needs to happen in their minds is that my father will not make the nomination for the position. Nor will he lobby or advocate on anyone’s behalf. He will be taken out of the process.
“When we look at situations in the past where senators have nominated their offspring, we are not going that route. If I decide to apply, I want to stand on my record, not my last name. No preferential treatment,” Johnson said.
Read it all here. Wait a minute. This seems to be an evolving explanation. First, it was to be a “bi-partisan committee” (Likely selected by Johnson) making the choice. Now, they’re saying the White House (containing such Johnson allies as Tom Daschle and Steve Hildebrand) will be making the choice.
Unfortunately, no matter how they spin it, there’s no legitimate way for Senator Johnson to hand the position to his son without it to smack of nepotism and dynasty building.
As I noted before, the naming of Brendan Johnson as U.S. Attorney in the same state his father holds the position of U.S. Senator is improper. No matter how much Senator Johnson’s son wants the job, no matter how much he might be qualified, the honorable thing to do is to take a pass until his dad is no longer U.S. Senator.
Period.
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Comments
Practicing law requires you to roll your sleeves up. Sometimes you gotta get down and dirty. Just keep your Johnson out of the way.
There be favors in the air would you say. Somebody owes somebody something or a few things. Scratch, scratch, scratch.
IMO – 5 years of practice does not qualify one to serve as the head Federal law enforcement officer in our state. However, the Republicans have also appointed ill-prepared attorneys to this position in the past. For example, Kevin Scheiffer had NO real legal experience when he became US Atty.
In all my years, I have never “rolled up my sleeves”. Takes too much time to get them buttoned in the first place. That pose is so cliche. Pretty much sure that Mini TJ thinks we’re the rubes that TJ does. Many, many more qualified individuals than Mini TJ. Goes back to TJ’s reelection, you get what you vote (pay) for.
I believe the younger Johnson and Hildebrand are close friends and I would have to think this has more to do with Hildebrand returning a favor rather than any nefarious action on the part of the Senator. Johnson hasn’t done anything in the past to advance the careers or prospects of his children beyond what any “normal” father would or should do, so I think we can dismiss the charges of “nepotism.”
However, I somewhat feel badly for the son. He wants to pursue a career in law and advance his career. I’ve known many sons who have to somehow step outside the shadow of their political fathers and it is a difficult high wire act, especially when done in the public eye like this. And even though Johnson has been speculated as a “future star” in Democratic politics, he has stated to many people including the press that he has little interest in it as he has a young family including two adopted children.
As far as “experience,” I don’t think one could argue that there are many, many gifted Democratic lawyers who have more “experience” in terms of years on the job. I haven’t seen a list of names from anyone, but maybe someone should compile such a list. And all reports seem to indicate that Johnson is certainly a capable and intelligent trial lawyer who would be considered “qualified” in terms of having the skills required to do the job. That has never been in dispute.
If the Johnson camp is guilty of anything, it would be poor handling of situation where there is no good way to handle it. Which is a long way to say they are guilty of nothing.
above comment, meant to type “I DO think one could argue there are many, many gifted Democratic lawyers”
10:08 – The only way you get experience at being a US Attorney, is getting appointed to be a US Attorney. Duh.
As for not having the experience, we learned our lesson on that one, huh? Letting someone be governor for two terms who sold insurance their whole life. Bad idea. At least Brendan has a law degree.
There are some pretty gross misstatements of fact in this post. Some because the Argus clearly fully understand how the nomination process works, and some because of PP’s desire to put his own spin on this.
First, the article implies that because of the “unique” circumstances that the White House would make the nomination. The fact is that all US Attorneys are appointed by the White House. The Department of Justice is a Federal Executive Agency and, as such, all political appointments (and every US Attorney in the country is a political appointment) is made by President of the United States. It’s true that the White House sometimes solicits advice from the Senators and Congressmen from the state in question, but sometimes they do not. Tim Johnson, John Thune and Stephanie Herseth have no power over the nomination. The Senate does have a confirmation role over some appointments, but the Constitution is pretty clear — the power to nominate comes from the President.
Secondly, PP is saying that Steve Hildebrand will be influencing the nomination from his position in the White House. This, if it’s true, is pretty amazing breaking news. No one has reported that Steve Hildebrand is going to the White House, and, in fact, many outlets have reported that Hildebrand is not going to the White House. But the point PP makes is that Senator Johnson has “allies” in the White House. He leaves out, of course, another one – Barack Obama, whom Johnson endorsed and served with in the Senate. If Tim Johnson want’s to talk to Barack Obama, he doesn’t need Steve Hildebrand to connect the call.
But most importantly, let’s get clear about what the US Attorney appointment is. It is a political appointment made by the President of the United States. Clinton appointed Karen Schrier to the job after he won – and after she served as co-chair of his campaign in the state. The first President Bush appointed Kevin Schieffer to the job – even though Schieffer had never practiced law a day in his life – as a favor to Senator Pressler. The President looks for someone who shares his views on how the law should be enforced, and will use the position to ensure that someone loyal to him, and competent to do the job, is in the office. Brendan is certainly capable, competent and shares the core values of the President.
So the only difference here is whether or not Tim Johnson would pick up the phone and recommend Brendan for the job. He’s saying that he won’t partake in the informal role of weighing in – which is above and beyond what he’s required to do. But the actual process doesn’t change – the President appoints and the Senate approves.
And no amount of spin from PP changes that…
So anyone not believing that Obama will appoint BJ and the Senate will approve him???? Didn’t think so. Seems to be the way politics works these days.
PP:
Where was all your outrage when Rounds was appointing all his family members to spots in the state government and his brothers holding legislative seats while Mike was governor?
Chirp. Chirp.
That’s right, the sounds of crickets. Nothing from the SDWC.
And I know I sound like a broken record, but those of us who actually practice law–Democrats, Republicans, and otherwise–know that Brendan Johnson is a talented attorney. That’s because of his education and experience, not who is father is. He’ll make an excellent USA.
Todd Epp
SD Watch http://www.southdakotawatch.net
Epp – Which family members did Rounds hire in state government? My impression is that they all worked there before. And Tim Rounds was elected in 2002 to the legislature, the same year as Mike as Governor. In fact Tim had a primary that year, so he got the nomination at the same time Rounds won the upset in his primary.
Todd, I know the SDWC is all encompassing, but the SDWC didn’t exist at that time.
That, and as 10:33 noted, they were all working there before.
As I said, no matter how much he might be qualified, the honorable thing to do is for Brendan to take a pass until his dad is no longer U.S. Senator.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m still in mourning over the Schoenbeck candidacy thing.
Part of the rub on this is that if BJ wants the job and as a result TJ won’t nominate anyone, it gives the appearance of a de facto endorsement of his son. Realistically, if BJ wants it, TJ’s preference will be known through his silence or back channels. That’s how the game is played, and polictical backrubs provided, regardless of how often people claim TJ has withdrawn from the process.
Did you see his picture on the Argus website. Nice campaign photo.
Brendan is much smoother than the old man ever was. He has the “I care” look on his face just like Daschle and Heidepriem have. Oh, and the rolled up sleeves just like Heide. I wonder if they all walk around their law office with rolled up sleeves every day?
From the Dem playbook, page 1… wear tie, roll up sleeves, and wrinkle brow like you’re really, really concerned.