Joe Bodell of the Minnesota Monitor has posted tidbits from a Saturday interview with Congressman Keith Ellison (D-Minn) concerning Rachel Paulose's appointment to the USA position in Minneapolis and the Department of Justice's handling of her performance issues. Bodell reports that
Ellison recently issued a request to the Department of Justice along with House Judiciary Committee Chairman Rep. John Conyers, D-Mich., requesting copies of communication regarding former U.S. Attorney Tom Heffelfinger and his replacement in the Minnesota office, Rachel Paulose. Ellison said Saturday he does not blame Paulose for her situation but rather the Bush Administration for putting ideological requirements above experience, competence and capacity to pursue justice.Congressman that is a question we are all pondering.
More ominous, according to Ellison, is who was not fired: "the eight were fired, but clearly those that were retained were loyal Bushies. These demotions in the Minnesota office are a serious matter, and Ms. Paulose received help from Washington on management issues. If the eight who were fired were let go for 'performance issues', did they get any help before being fired? ...If they were let go for 'performance reasons', how does Ms. Paulose stay for 'performance reasons'?"
