Chertoff Has 'Few Days Left,' Sources Say (In other words, he is toast)

HumanEvents ^

[AZRepublican]

n the aftermath of the public revelation of the presidential "teleconference" and mounting criticism of the performance of Michael Chertoff, Administration sources told HUMAN EVENTS today that the secretary of Homeland Security has "only a few days left" in the Bush Cabinet.

As one source acquainted with the former federal prosecutor and U.S. appellate judge said under promise of anonymity, "They will give [Chertoff] a little time so it won't hurt his reputation too much, but he's probably got only a few days left."

For weeks, Chertoff has been under fire from Capitol Hill and the media for his performance during the disaster last year. In addition, more criticism has been fueled by his clash with former FEMA Director Michael Brown in the so-called post-Katrina "blame game." (See HUMAN EVENTS' exclusive report, "Brown: White House Made Me Scapegoat," in which he says, "They’ve got to keep me out there as a scapegoat. If they get rid of Chertoff, they have no new scapegoat. Then it goes to the White House.")

[537cant be wrong]

whats a movie about notre dame football got to do with this thread? /? :-)

[HHKrepublican_2]

RUDY GIULIANI

[zbigreddogz]

I don't have any problem with Chertoff, but I do think we could do better.

Maybe Giuliani will give it another thought...how great would that be? He'd not only be amazing at it, but it would take him out of contention for '08, which, from my perspective, is a good thing. I like him, but not for President.

[adorno]

If we were to believe the "mounting criticism" and requests for resignation against this person or the other that has occurred in the last 5 years from the MSM and from the democrats and from the 'anonymous" sources, there would be nobody left in the Bush administration to run the place.

[zbigreddogz]

That's what I'm saying!

Rudy! Rudy! Rudy! Rudy!

[Peach]

We'll see -- I don't have a strong impression of him right now.

[OKIEDOC]

Well a person has to feel for the guy.

I don't know why they didn't tap someone like Tommy Franks, General Honore or some other hard nose in place of a bureaucrat like Chertoff.

Employees up in in these various government departments are playing political territorial games with Americas security.

I would love to hear Honore tell Kennedy, Turdbin and Schumer to quit being stuck on stupid.

[Oklahoma]

I agree. Too many on our own side are exhibiting those same "endearing" qualities found among the left wing media. All along the real target for the Left was Bush. Throwing Brown and Chertoff under the bus only encourages them.

[Bahbah]

If you have a potentially huge problem, create an equally huge government bureaucracy, throw lots and lots of money at it, create flow charts so we will know in which direction to point fingers, say lots of reassuring things about preparedness. Congratulate yourselves and thank lots of elected officials for their "leadership". Everyone feels better, except some of us.

[Txsleuth]

Yes....we will see....I do remember the sometimes contentious confirmation hearings for Chertoff though...and I bet that Bush does NOT want to have to have someone go through that again...

So...unless it is Chertoff's decision, I doubt he will be gone.

[bnelson44]

Director of Homeland Security is like Sec. of the Army. It would not be a demotion.

[Herford Turley]

Yep. If you can't report it, then don't. How long has Chertoff been there now?

[Txsleuth]

I think I heard that Guiliani was asked when Ridge left...and he didn't want it...(he makes more money on the private circuit...plus, he can run for POTUS better if he isn't tied down to that job)

[therut]

I like the guy. Everyone forgets homeland Security Dept was a DEM idea. Bush did not want this. Remember? The media went APE over that. So now we have a bigger Gov. entiity that is useless. He should have stayed as a Federal Judge where he had a job for life. It is a shame this guy got put into this job and wasn't he there for a short time before Katrina. He gave up alot to serve in a measly job with no thanks.

[Txsleuth]

I just can't imagine Bush wanting to have to go through the process of choosing someone else..and the TORTURE of a confirmation hearing...

for a Department that he probably KNOWS was not that great of an idea...but, that all-knowing 9/11 Commission and the dems just HAD to have one...(don't forget the Jersey girls)...

[Calvin Locke]

Civil service workers excepted, Chertoff was put in to buffer the administration from people with common sense in regards to border security.

I only caught a glimpse of him, but he reminded me of movie maker John Waters.

[Ben Hecks]

Everyone forgets homeland Security Dept was a DEM idea.

Your comment bears repeating. The Dems should be reminded of that at every opportunity.

[Richard Kimball]

I posted my thoughts on FEMA here.

The logistics/military aspect is significant, but FEMA won't ever figure it out.

[operation clinton cleanup]

Director of Homeland Security is like Sec. of the Army. It would not be a demotion.

Maybe, but I doubt he would want such a position, although we sure need someone like him.

[goodnesswins]

Maybe SOME DAY they'll figure out LAWYERS cannot do EVERYTHING!