Many news stories on the recent US Atty issue have mentioned that the provision allowing Justice Dept to appoint US Atty to fill vacancies with out Senate approval was slipped in to the Patriot Act revision last year. Who did this and when? Was it in the version of the bill that came out of either the House or Senate Judiciary committees? Did it come out of the House/Senate Conference? I find it hard to believe that some unknown congressional staffer changed this language on his/her own, without the specific instruction of a key Senator or House member. Who is/are the lawmakers who made this happen? Likely suspects are Sen Spector, and Rep Sensenbrenner, then Judiciary Chairs.

Sent by paul bartlett | 2:10 PM ET | 03-29-2007

Have you considered that the US Atty's were dismissed to make way for others who would make more attractive or loyal canididates for political office in the future? With Rove involved, I'd consider it a possibility. Many elected officials have used the US Atty's offices as a springboard with which to begin a coampaign.

Sent by John Gronkowski | 2:21 PM ET | 03-29-2007

What I find far more disturbing than the executive branch executing a power granted to them, is the fact that Congress granted that power. I too wonder, who placed that provision in the Patriot Act and why they added it. If the legislative branch refuses to check and balance the executive branch, I feel that both branches are responsible. Both the branch that carried out the actions, and the branch that enabled the actions should be held accountable.

Sent by Dillon Johnston | 2:24 PM ET | 03-29-2007

I think this is a waste of time that takes time and attention away from the REAL problems the democrats need to be working on - Iraq, Healthcare, Education, Jobs. As usual, Democrats are falling into the same trap Republicans were in when Clinton was President- Useless witch hunts taking time away from real issues!

And I totally support the Democrats now!

Sent by Nari Kannan | 2:25 PM ET | 03-29-2007

Unfortunately this proves how out of touch with most of America our President and staff are. He is plainly covering his backside and protecting his buddies. If the repurcussions of this issue weren't potentially enormous throughout the whole system I would be laughing. Just one more display of how riduculous the antics of the Beltway are much of the time. Too bad their games effect the rest of America and the world as well.

Sent by D Phillip | 2:29 PM ET | 03-29-2007

It's patronizing of NPR to even suggest that those of us outside the beltway might not care about the US Attorney debacle. Of course we care. We care about the direction our country is going in and the lengths to which the current administraion will go to codify and solidify their notion of the unitary executive. We care deeply.

Sent by Anna Kneeland | 2:30 PM ET | 03-29-2007

Question: Why wasn't U.S. Attorney Johnny Sutton fired? He's the U.S. Attorney who prosecuted the 2 Texas Border Patrol Officers for firing at illegal aliens. Is Johnny Sutton towing the Bush Administration's agenda?

Sent by Tom Lee | 2:30 PM ET | 03-29-2007

Investigation of Roberto Gonzales is incredibly important for regaining this country's democracy. Corruption of the court system is a tremendous threat to the freedom of individual Americans. This entire administration is corrupt and needs to be impeached and replaced or we all lose.

Sent by Linda Wilson | 2:36 PM ET | 03-29-2007

There's just not enought sex in it to arouse local interest! Seriously, local papers will emphasize stories that directly affect local readers. After all, that's where the advertising and readership are. I am concerned about this issue but I listen to public radio and public tv. Maybe that's why I read my local paper AND listen to public radio AND watch the News Hour.

Sent by Francille L. Radmann | 2:42 PM ET | 03-29-2007

TOTN's chats with radio hosts in Sacremento and Little Rock brought to light chilling new implications of this whole scandal that I'd not heard before. First, the firing of Carol Lamm, who prosecuted Duke Cunningham, has prevented the indictment of Sacremento's congressman, who took money from the same source as Cunningham. Second, the Little Rock prosecutor has been replaced by a Karl Rove buddy, who intends to dig up more Whitewater nonsense to make trouble for the Clintons. This is serious obstruction of justice on the scale of Watergate. Of course those of us in the heartland care about this. Our democracy is being undermined right and left by the Bush Administration. So much is finally coming to light now that the Democrats are investigating. This is just the beginning of the Great Revulsion the majority of Americans will feel towards the Republican party.

Sent by Mike Mills | 2:55 PM ET | 03-29-2007

Congressmen Cooper says that the Iraqi's want us in Iraq. Why do 75 percent of the Iraqis polled say that we should leave? And why are the Saudi's calling us an illegitimate foreign occupation? Why are the Kings of Saudi Arabia and Jordan cancelling state visits here? We have no legitimacy in Iraq and are not wanted. Congress was correct, it's time to set a deadline to leave so that we regain a little credibility.

Sent by julie kreutzer | 6:41 PM ET | 03-29-2007

I've watched the testimony on CSpan and so far, I've seen nothing to merit this sort of attention. NOTHING!

I do see a lot of DC politicians chasing tails for hours on end. This nation has some very serious problems that must be addressed. I suggest we Move On.

Sent by feudi pandola | 1:26 PM ET | 04-02-2007

The Clinton administration fired all 93 of them. It wasn't a big deal then, why is a big deal when the Bush administration fired only 8?

Sent by Steve Case | 7:42 PM ET | 04-02-2007