Yes, I am an unapologetic happy clappy liberal, and supporter of President Obama. But before Barack Obama even made it on to my radar a number of years ago, I already had a mad admiration of James Comey.
Why, do you ask? Because James Comey, a Republican George W. Bush appointee, publicly called out Bush White House officials in the biggest case of political Shenanigans I can recall ever seeing in my entire adult life.
He was a George W. Bush appointee, he (according to the FEC) donated money to President Obama's two Republican presidential opponents....I don't care. I <3 James Comey, and have for a number of years now.
I watched the entire debacle unfold that was highlighted by the absurd incident where then-AG Alberto Gonzales, and then-White House Chief of Staff Andy Card basically ambushed John Ashcroft in his hospital room to try and force through the re-authorization of warrent-less wiretapping of US citizens.
As I watched those hearings where James Comey was stunningly honest, and Alberto Gonzales was just stunned, I was rather overwhelmed by Comey's unvarnished and honest testimony. He testified about the extraordinary events where John Ashcroft was basically badgered as he lay in his hospital bed to re-authorize the warrent-less wiretapping program, and those White House officials then left and falsely tried to make it seem as though the program had indeed been re-authorized. James Comey contradicted every single bit of that nonsense, and remained amazingly and honestly sexy while doing so.
At the time, I had rather hoped that he would eventually be nominated to replace Gonzales as Attorney General.....but, alas, it was not to be. But, I remember hoping that we would see this fellow again at some point. I had been so positively overwhelmed by his candor, and his willingness to shove partisan politics aside completely in favor of the truth, that I adored this man regardless of his political stripe.
When I saw the initial alert on my phone about the nomination, I thought to myself, "Really? James Comey? That's so awesome!" I've generally been impressed by President Obama's cabinet nominees thus far that were actually "Republican" (see: Ray LaHood, Robert Gates, Chuck Hagel), but this nomination really got me psyched.
But in the days ahead, I imagine there will be many on the left who will flip out about this nomination simply because he was a Bush appointee. I say, look at what the guy has done, look at how he comported himself under very difficult circumstances, and then make your decision.
Oh, and just in case you needed an added incentive:
"In 2013, Comey was a signatory to an amicus curiae brief submitted to the Supreme Court in support of same-sex marriage during the Hollingsworth v. Perry case."
http://www.thedailybeast.com/...
So, while there will undoubtedly be comments from my fellow lefties about how President Obama is continually putting forth Republicans for nominations, and how he's somehow "caving" to Republicans......just check out who James Comey actually is, and how he has demonstrably been a pretty darn good guy. There are undoubtedly things I would disagree with him on politically, but I cannot let go the fact that when it really counted, he was incredibly honest and forthright when it was really most crucial to do so.
Edit: FYI, http://www.dailykos.com/... has published an excellent entry about James Comey here:
http://www.dailykos.com/...