Chertoff Eyed as AG Nominee

Michael Chertoff is the top candidate to replace resigning AG Alberto Gonzales, White House sources tell CNN. The Department of Homeland Security chief served as an assistant AG early in the Bush years. Speculation about Chertoff's promotion began as early as Friday, as a US News & World Report blog said there was "buzz" that Gonzales was out.

The political blogs, including Think Progress, are also lit up this morning about the rumor that Solicitor General Paul Clement may take over the AG post temporarily. A Chertoff nomination could be expected rankle Hillary Clinton; Chertoff had an instrumental role in the Whitewater investigation that plagued the Clinton White House, and she was the only senator to vote against his US circuit court appointment several years ago.