A federal judge’s stinging criticism and the ongoing investigation of the office run by U.S. Attorney Jim Letten seems to many to remove any doubt that the president will replace him soon in the Eastern District. Names, including some Democratic New Orleans officeholders and attorneys, already are being floated to replace the man known statewide as the most effective corruption fighter of this political era. Letten, an appointee of former President George W. Bush, was reappointed by President Barack Obama only because of strong backing by Democratic Sen. Mary Landrieu and his bipartisan popularity statewide. Now, even his longtime staunch supporter GOP Sen. David Vitter has said he is “troubled” by Letten’s handling of the controversy surrounding his former top assistants. One resigned and another was demoted after they admitted posting anonymous online comments critical of subjects of ongoing federal cases. With Vitter and other Republicans relinquishing support of Letten, Landrieu is now expected to recommend a Democrat to be the next U.S. attorney in that district.
—As Rep. Tony Ligi, R-Metairie, is expected to resign as early as today to become legal counsel for the Jefferson Business Council, several legislators are lining up to succeed him as chairman of the Republican Caucus. Ligi says he is asking colleagues to support Rep. Nick Lorusso, R-New Orleans, calling him a “level-headed guy who can deal with the breakdowns we have within a growing delegation.” Lorusso’s election would also keep the caucus leadership within the New Orleans region. But there could be a race yet: Rep. Lance Harris, R-Alexandria, is attracting support as a non-New Orleans choice who has support among fellow freshmen and the more conservative fiscal hawks.
They said it: “I agree with a little bit of what you said, but damn little.” —Former Gov. Buddy Roemer to MSNBC host Melissa Harris-Perry, in discussion about education at Tulane University, in The Times-Picayune
(John Maginnis publishes LaPolitics Weekly, a newsletter on Louisiana politics, at LaPolitics.com.)
