Just a little stroll down memory lane

At least now, he’ll finally get that criminal investigation experience! How Christie became U.S. Attorney:

Star-Ledger Editorial: “This Is A Patronage Appointment, Plain And Simple.” The newspaper wrote: “He is not yet qualified for the job of U.S. attorney. He has never tried a criminal case. He has no substantial experience in federal court. He has never directed a corruption investigation or even participated in one. He is 39, can claim no distinguished academic or legal accomplishment and works primarily as a lobbyist and mediator. What Christie brings to the table is excellent political connections…Christie’s history as partisan rainmaker not only fails to qualify him, it could undermine trust in the office…This is a patronage appointment, plain and simple.” [Editorial, Star-Ledger 9/7/01]

Christie Lacked “Experience In Criminal Law.” “After winning the overwhelming support of the Republican organization in New Jersey, a lawyer and lobbyist who was counsel to President Bush’s campaign in the state has emerged as the leading candidate to become the next United States attorney for New Jersey. But many lawyers say they are surprised and disappointed that the candidate, Christopher J. Christie, has no experience in criminal law, and a few are trying to produce another contender before the White House submits a nomination to the Senate.” [New York Times, 8/26/01]

Christie’s Appointment “Generated Concern From Some Former Federal Prosecutors, Who Believe His Appointment May Be Too Political” Including A Former Republican Us Attorney.  “The choice of Christie, though, has created some unease among members of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Newark, and generated concern from some former federal prosecutors, who believe his appointment may be too political. Jonathan Goldstein, a former U.S. attorney for New Jersey and a Republican, is one of those who believe the job as the state’s top federal prosecutor requires a candidate to have extensive law enforcement experience.” [Star-Ledger, 9/6/01]

William Palatucci “Boasted Of Selecting A United States Attorney By Forwarding Mr. Rove The Resume Of His Partner, Christopher J. Christie, A Corporate Lawyer And Bush Fund-Raiser With Little Prosecutorial Experience.” “Democrats have seized on a connection to Mr. Rove to attack a prosecutor’s credibility. In New Jersey, William Palatucci, a Republican political consultant and Bush supporter, boasted of selecting a United States attorney by forwarding Mr. Rove the resume of his partner, Christopher J. Christie, a corporate lawyer and Bush fund-raiser with little prosecutorial experience.” [New York Times, 3/29/07]

Rove “Helped Arrange The Nomination Of A Major Bush Campaign Fund-Raiser Who Had Little Prosecutorial Experience.” “Political advisers have had a hand in picking judges and prosecutors for decades, but Mr. Rove exercises unusually broad influence over political, policy and personnel decisions because of his closeness to the president, tenure in the administration and longstanding interest in turning the judiciary to the right. In Illinois, Mr. Rove once reprimanded a Republican senator for recommending the appointment of Patrick J. Fitzgerald, a star prosecutor from outside the state, to investigate the state’s then-governor, a Republican. In New Jersey, Mr. Rove helped arrange the nomination of a major Bush campaign fund-raiser who had little prosecutorial experience. In Louisiana, he first supported and then helped scuttle a similar appointment.” [New York Times, 3/29/07]

H/t Jason Kalafat Defense Attorney.