Ensign soon to suggest replacements for Bogden

Tuesday, June 19, 2007 | 6:54 a.m.

WASHINGTON - More than six months after Daniel Bogden was fired as the U.S. attorney in Nevada, the Bush administration could be considering his replacement as soon as this week.

Republican Sen. John Ensign in the coming days expects to send to the White House as many as three potential nominees for the presidential appointment.

As the senator whose party holds the White House, Ensign is taking the lead in interviewing candidates. His office said he will consult Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., on the final recommendations.

Ensign's office would not disclose the names of the attorneys under consideration.

Also Monday, Ensign announced that Attorney General Alberto Gonzales agreed to beef up staffing in the fast-growing Nevada office, which has been down 20 percent from its allocated level of attorneys and staff. The Nevada office will add seven attorneys and six support staff to bring it to full staffing .

Ensign remains critical of Gonzales' handling of the firing of Bogden and eight other U.S. attorneys, but he has refrained from joining a growing number of lawmakers, Republicans and Democrats, calling for Gonzales' ouster.

Citing shifting reasons Justice Department officials have given for the firings, many lawmakers say they believe the dismissals were politically motivated. U.S. attorneys are expected to be politically neutral.

Ensign declined last week to cast a vote of no confidence in Gonzales, calling the Senate vote political posturing. The measure was defeated.

Every other member of the Nevada delegation, including Republican Reps. Jon Porter and Dean Heller, has called for Gonzales to be fired.

"Some people have made politics out of this," Ensign spokesman Tory Mazzola said.

Even though "Sen. Ensign still believes Dan Bogden's dismissal was mishandled," the senator "has remained focused on improving Nevada's U.S. attorney's office," Mazzola said.

Ensign said he thinks Gonzales is taking the steps required to retain his support.

As more lawmakers called for Gonzales to step down, Ensign said his support for the attorney general hinged on three measures: restoring Bogden's reputation, revamping the Justice Department's performance - review process and adding resources to the Nevada office.

With Monday's announcement of additional resources and progress being made on establishing new review procedures, Ensign thinks Justice is making strides to meet his requirements.

"These are two significant steps in the right direction," Mazzola said.

As for restoring Bogden's reputation by helping the 16-year Justice Department employee find a new job, Ensign is still hoping Justice will deliver, Mazzola said. "Those talks are still under way. "

Nevada's Democratic Rep. Shelley Berkley has said Ensign should get Bogden his job back, as Bogden has requested. But Ensign has said that is not possible.