Clement to stand-in as attorney general

Mark Sherman of the Associated Press reports

As solicitor general, Clement holds the fourth-ranking position at the Justice Department. He was asked by President Bush to head the agency until a new attorney general is nominated, then confirmed by the Senate.

With the resignation of Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, as well as earlier departures of the next two officials in line, Clement is the Justice Department's highest-ranking official who has been confirmed by the Senate.

Update: Katherine M. Skiba and Tom Kertscher report in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on how this Cedarburg, Wisconsin, Native subs for Gonzales. Mr. Gonzales's resignation is effective September 17, 2007, the day Mr. Clement is scheduled to speak here. Stay tuned.