Sessions for US Attorney General

[MillCreek]

http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/11/18/502207098/trump-picks-sen-jeff-sessions-for-attorney-general?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=news

Senator Jeff Sessions of Alabama has been picked as the US Attorney General.

[lee n. field]

got no idea if this is good or bad.

[Fly320s]

got no idea if this is good or bad.

Same here.  I have a vague, slightly poor memory of Sessions, but that is all.

[roo_ster]

Good for the DOJ.  Loss for the Senate.

[Pb]

He apparently is one of the few senators actually opposed to illegal immigration.

[Ben]

I'm also up in the air due to lack of knowledge. I've seen a few short interviews with him and he has always come out on the right side (to me) of the question, but I don't know the details of his values.

[HankB]

I'd like to know if he's likely to pursue criminal charges against corrupt politicians who've broken the law, despite their prominence . . .

[TommyGunn]

I'd like to know if he's likely to pursue criminal charges against corrupt politicians who've broken the law, despite their prominence . . .

 

Like her?

[KD5NRH]

I'd like to know if he's likely to pursue criminal charges against corrupt politicians who've broken the law, despite their prominence . . .

Well, if he's from AL, maybe we can bribe him with a roast pig for every Democrat he hangs.

[brimic]

Well, if he's from AL, maybe we can bribe him with a roast pig for every Democrat he hangs.

Where can I send donations, for more pigs?

[230RN]

Good for the DOJ.  Loss for the Senate.

If he resigns, doesn't the Republican Party get to name a pro tem replacement?

[Hawkmoon]

If he resigns, doesn't the Republican Party get to name a pro tem replacement?

The governor of his state names the replacement. Remember what's his name from Ill-in-Noise?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rod_Blagojevich_corruption_charges

[Scout26]

Sessions is a rock solid Law and Order kinda guy.  Despite all the hysteria you'll hear, he was the states attorney (or whatever they are called in AL), that got a murder conviction with the death penalty against some KKK bigwig.  Also nailed the KKK for $7million in restitution for the murder, effectively destroying the Klan in Alabama.  Later as Alabama Attorney General made sure that the SOB met his maker in the chair.

He's a prosecutor's prosecutor.   Chris (the judge) or Monkeyleg can probably tell you more. 

[T.O.M.]

My take...

He was well connected.  Most lawyers don't get to walk out of law school, pass the Bar, and get a slot as an Assistant U.S. Attorney within two years.  Unless they know someone, or have a certain last name.  And he then got the U.S. Attorney job six years later.  Now, he held that job for 12 years (both Reagan terms and Bush term).  18 years as a prosecutor means a career prosecutor, and that is a good thing to have as an AG.

The scandals that have come up, especially during attempts to get him confirmed as a district court judge...nothing major.  He stood by charges filed on his watch, even amid allegations of racial motives.  He didn't personally prosecute the Klan members, but I can guarantee he had a say in it being done since he was in charge. 

Since then, he's been a politician.  Well, you generally don't get considered to be AG unless you've been a politician in some way. 

Eagle Scout.  He learned to achieve goals young.  This, and growing up in Alabama, means he's probably got pro-gun leanings.  How far, time will tell...

[Perd Hapley]

If he resigns, doesn't the Republican Party get to name a pro tem replacement?

Something like that, but the Republicans will lose a 4-term incumbent. His replacement may have Session's staying power, and do as good a job. He may not. So it is a bit of a gamble.

[TommyGunn]

My take...

He was well connected.  Most lawyers don't get to walk out of law school, pass the Bar, and get a slot as an Assistant U.S. Attorney within two years.  Unless they know someone, or have a certain last name.  And he then got the U.S. Attorney job six years later.  Now, he held that job for 12 years (both Reagan terms and Bush term).  18 years as a prosecutor means a career prosecutor, and that is a good thing to have as an AG.

The scandals that have come up, especially during attempts to get him confirmed as a district court judge...nothing major.  He stood by charges filed on his watch, even amid allegations of racial motives.  He didn't personally prosecute the Klan members, but I can guarantee he had a say in it being done since he was in charge. 

Since then, he's been a politician.  Well, you generally don't get considered to be AG unless you've been a politician in some way. 

Eagle Scout.  He learned to achieve goals young.  This, and growing up in Alabama, means he's probably got pro-gun leanings.  How far, time will tell...

Oh, as an Alabama resident, I can attest to Sessions being pro gun.  For sure.