Richard Viguerie Suggests Replacements for Attorney General Gonzales

MANASSAS, Va., Aug. 27 /Christian Newswire/ -- The following is a an open letter to President Bush from Richard A. Viguerie, author of Conservatives Betrayed (Bonus Books, 2006), suggesting 10 persons for consideration as replacements for Attorney General Alberto Gonzales:

Dear Mr. President:

I know you and I have had our differences in the past, but the resignation of Attorney General Alberto Gonzales gives you a great opportunity to energize the Republican Party, the conservative movement, and your approval ratings all at the same time.

As I explained in a news release, the Democrats will not be appeased by the nomination of any "moderate" or liberal. And of course they will vehemently oppose any conservative. But that is your secret weapon.

For decades, polls have shown that the American public takes conservative positions on judicial and legal issues and appointments. A Democratic refusal to confirm a conservative as Attorney General is an issue that the Republican presidential candidate-- whoever he is--can carry all the way into the White House in 2008.

Confronting the Democrats and rallying the conservative base is also a way for you to raise your approval ratings from the 30s, perhaps even into the 50s. And that would help you and Congressional Republicans on your entire agenda.

So, here are 10 highly qualified conservatives you can nominate for Attorney General, listed alphabetically. If the Democrats turn down your first choice, go to your next choice, and then the next and the next. The Democrats' obstructionism will give Republicans a winning issue--"strict constructionists" in legal positions--that will pay handsome dividends in 2008.

Mr. President, the conservative movement and the Republican Party are currently in the doldrums. The nomination of a true conservative for Attorney General will breathe new life and energy into the movement, the party, and the final 17 months of your administration.

Respectfully,

Richard A. Viguerie

10 Outstanding Conservatives to Nominate for Attorney General
(listed alphabetically)

Chris Cox, Chairman of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) since 2005. Received his JD from Harvard Law School. Associate Counsel to President Reagan. Member, U.S. House of Representatives, 1989-2005.

Miguel Estrada, nominated in 2001 to U.S. Court of Appeals for Second Circuit (D.C.), but filibustered by Democrats.

Jim Gilmore, former Virginia Attorney General (1993- 1997) and Virginia Governor (1998-2002). From 1999 to 2003 chaired the Congressional terrorism commission known as the Gilmore Commission. Chairman of the Republican National Committee in 2001-2002.

Edith Jones, nominated by President Reagan and now chief judge of U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. The other finalist for the Supreme Court vacancy given instead to David Souter. Had the honor of being named one of five worst judges in Texas by the liberal Texas Observer.

Ed Meese, Ronald Reagan's distinguished Attorney General. Though retired, he is active with the Heritage Foundation and would undoubtedly agree to serve his country again for a 17-month interim term.

Ted Olson, U.S. Solicitor General 2001-2004. Assistant Attorney General in the Reagan administration. Successfully litigated Bush v. Gore. Wife Barbara K. Olson was passenger on hijacked airplane on 9/11.

Priscilla Owen, federal judge on U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Previously a justice on the Texas Supreme Court.

Charles W. Pickering, Sr., appointed by President George H. W. Bush to U.S. District Court for Southern District of Mississippi. In 1976, he chaired the subcommittee of the Republican Platform Committee that called for a constitutional amendment to overturn Roe v. Wade.

William H. Pryor Jr., Alabama Attorney General from 1997 to 2004. Presently a federal judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.

Rick Santorum, former U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania, where he was chairman of the Senate Republican Conference.

NOTE to EDITORS: Richard A. Viguerie pioneered ideological and political direct mail and has been called "the funding father of the conservative movement" for his role in helping build dozens of conservative organizations. He is the author of Conservatives Betrayed--How George W. Bush and Other Big Government Republicans Hijacked the Conservative Cause (Bonus Books, 2006).

Christian Newswire