Reply #169: arkansasnews.com: E-mails show effort to defend Griffin appointment

[L. Coyote]

E-mails show effort to defend Griffin appointment
Saturday, Apr 14, 2007
By Aaron Sadler - Stephens Washington Bureau
http://www.arkansasnews.com/archive/2007/04/14/WashingtonDCBureau/341733.html


WASHINGTON - Under relentless scrutiny from Democrats, interim U.S. attorney Tim Griffin joined a behind-the-scenes move to justify his appointment, an effort that included a White House request for one senator to ask "friendly questions" about Griffin's qualifications at a hearing.

New e-mails released Friday show Griffin asked top Justice Department officials to emphasize it was not unusual for the White House counsel's office to be involved in the selection of federal prosecutors.

The 2,394-page Justice Department release also included a document highlighting Griffin's education and experience, which he composed most of himself.

Attached was an eight-point list of qualifications referred to as "Griffin Talkers."

The e-mails indicate that the White House political office contacted Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., on Jan. 17 to request he ask favorable questions regarding Griffin at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing a day later.

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