It looks like the Bogden reappointment to U.S. attorney is a cinch despite criticism
FBI agents were conducting background checks on former U.S. Attorney Dan Bogden last week, so it appears his nomination to his old job is moving forward, despite doubts about his management skills. The background checks focus on whether he’s had any problems with substance abuse, sexual issues, tax problems, financial problems or any crimes.
Since he’s already been U.S. attorney for six years under the Bush administration, Bogden, left, has already passed a background check and I doubt if anything troubling will come up.
The agents didn’t ask any questions about issues which I’ve aired in two past columns — issues of poor management skills and the lack of diversity.
But that’s not part of a routine background check by the FBI.
I’m told poor management skills don’t disqualify someone from being a U.S. attorney.
Bogden, who was bounced from his job in 2006 along with eight other U.S. attorneys by the Bush administration, has been recommended for the same job in the Obama administration by U.S. Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev. Perplexed Democrats don’t know why Reid is not recommending a qualified Democrat, possibly a woman or a minority, but with Reid he always has his own reasons, sometimes fathomable, sometimes not.
After the FBI reports are submitted and the other vetting process is complete, the materials on Bogden will be sent to the White House Counsel’s office before being submitted to President Barack Obama for a final decision.
I know letters have been written to Obama asking him not to appoint Bogden.
Preston Bluiett Jr. a former courtroom clerk with the U.S. District Court and a longtime mainstay at the federal courthouse until he retired, copied me with the letter he sent March 31.
In it, Bluiett, who is African-American, asked Obama to meet with Reid “to stress upon him that the time for change is now and that we should not revert back to the antiquated practices of clandestine discrimination against women and minorities.”
“Considering the minimal number or absence of women and minorities in the positions of federal district judge, federal bankruptcy judge, federal magistrate judge and head of federal departments or agencies in the state of Nevada, I am hopeful that you, Mr. President, will encourage Senator Reid to recommend a well qualified woman or minority for appointment as United States Attorney for the District of Nevada or to some other high federal office at a future date," Bluiett wrote.
Bluiett, who has known Reid since he was a young practicing attorney, acknowledged Reid appointed one African-American, Johnnie Rawlinson, to the bench and then to the circuit court.
But he wrote that for the next two federal judgeships, Reid should recommend a minority for one and a woman for the other. He suggested they should be 60 years or younger and that attorneys who are not members of the Mormon church “be given fair and equal consideration.”
Bluiett was looking at the big picture in his respectful letter and said nothing negative about Bogden.
Looks like the folks who told me the Bogden appointment is a done deal, despite his mediocre performance as a manager, knew what they were talking about.
But if he’s reappointed, expect Bogden to try a little harder to find qualified minorities to his staff of prosecutors. Right now, out of 50 prosecutors, there is one African-American.
And Reid may listen to the advice on judicial appointments of someone who knew him when he was a whippersnapper. Or not. You never know with ex-whippersnappers.