Ted Olson’s AG Chances Dimming

The short list of possible nominees for attorney general is changing.

Former solicitor general Ted Olson may need to be crossed off the list following a blunt assessment of his chances from the Senate majority leader, the Washington Post reports.

"Ted Olson will not be confirmed," said Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev. "I intend to do everything I can to prevent him from being confirmed as the next attorney general."

Olson is controversial because he represented Bush in the fight over the 2000 presidential election and has been accused of involvement in negative attacks on the Clintons. ABAJournal.com noted the controversy yesterday in a post that had Olson as a top candidate on the short list.

Two other rumored potential candidates don’t want the job. They are former deputy attorney general Larry Thompson and Judge Laurence Silberman of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.