By the way, it appears that Zelikow himself is not a registered lobbyist. His name, and nothing close to his name, appears in neither the Senate or Open Secrets lobbyist databases.

Sorry for the multiple comments, but I thought this would be of interest. It appears that the lobbying may go forward under two names, "Barbour and Associates", and "Barbour Griffith & Rogers LLC". I'm linking the search results from the Senate Database at name below. The database at open secrets can be found here:

http://www.opensecrets.org/lobbyists/firmsum.asp?txtname=Barbour%2C+Griffith+%26+Rogers&year=2006

It's important to note that lobbying is all perfectly legal and ethical. There is nothing wrong with being a lobbyist or working with a Lobbying firm. I'm sure lobbyists perform a valuable service for our country, and have helped our nation get to where we are today.

First, I believe he's a cameraman, not a reporter. Get your facts straight. Second, your comment could be read as a veiled threat. I trust that is the opposite of your intent.

I agree in this sense. We have every right and freedom as readers to offer valuable advice to GG regarding how he can make things better on this blog, his other journalism work, wonderful interviews he might do for our amusement, whether we like his various public speaking events, and whatever else we feel needs our input.

Equally, it is GG's right to ignore the above. If he foolishly and perilously chooses to ignore all of our wonderful ideas, well, at least we've made the attempt. You can lead a horse to water...

I've been looking at that FARA site since your earlier post. I did see that Barbour has an active account with the Kurds. Unfortunately, in a rural area with only dialup connection, I can't download the whole document--everything freezes up. But great resource and thank you for it.

If Gonzales' main function was as a heat-shield, then why throw him away now? Counterintuitive. Who could they get who is more loyal to Bush? There is no such person on earth.

So why did they toss him, and why did they do it now.

Just to indulge--

Orrin Hatch is my best guess. He's been lobbying for it, he's a senator, which would ease senate approval. his senate seat is secure, i.e. the GOP wouldn't lose a seat if he moves to AG until 1/09. He has disgustingly put party before country in every substantive issue I can think of. His loyalty will clearly not be to Bush, but it will be looking beyond Bush to salvage as much as possible for the Party.

If it is Hatch, this will be another sign that the traditional operatives are regaining control of the party and jettisoning Bush, or trying to.

The above is slightly more than just useless indulgent "guess the candidate" bullshit. The replacement AG can either try to duplicate Gonzo's behavior, or can turn over a new leaf, and cooperate with Congress. With or without Gonzo, it remains all about the congressional investigations. And Gonzo, I'd guess, hasn't made his last trip to the Hill yet.

From back in March:

At the same time, the president will be prepared if Gonzales steps aside. Republicans close to the White House continued to discuss potential replacements, including John Danforth, an Episcopal minister and former Republican senator from Missouri. "I think it is going to come down to who is willing to take the job," said an official close to the process.

Among the names floated Monday by administration officials were Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff and White House anti-terrorism coordinator Frances Townsend. Former Deputy Attorney General Larry Thompson is a White House prospect. So is former solicitor general Theodore B. Olson, but sources were unsure whether he would want the job.

On Monday night, Republican officials said two other figures who are being seriously considered are Securities and Exchange Committee Chairman Chris Cox, who is former chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee and is popular with conservatives; and former Attorney General William P. Barr, who served under President George H.W. Bush from 1991 to 1993 and is now general counsel of Verizon Communications.

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0307/3202.html

To my knowlege, there isn't a single republican who has come to jesus on any of the issues the Judiciary committee is dealing with. The closest candidate for this is Specter, and he has been absolutely shifting and spineless--frequently contradicting himself in a single utterance.

True, some GOPPERS had lost faith in Gonzales the man, but none have been on the right side of any issue of substance regarding FISA, Habeas, Torture, etc. etc.

Early in this administration, the president and others--notably Rumsfeld--came out time and time again complaining about leakers. And for good reason--leakage was constant and uncontrolled.

But note how both Rove and Gonzo caught even the sharpest eyes unaware. The ship is now tight as a tick.

The only leaks emerging now appear to be highly controlled and for the benefit of the administration.

Mr. Gonzales just loved GWB and boasted his children got to pet Barney and romp on the White House (now a white big pig-feed-bucket) lawn.

I believe bebop has just named the next AG. Imagine Leahy's committee questioning Barney. They'll get nowhere.