Andrei Cherny

Among the names being floated as possible contenders to be appointed U.S. attorney for Arizona, Andrei Cherny's keeps popping up.

Cherny, the Democratic adviser, speechwriter and author who is an assistant Arizona attorney general by day and all-arounder for the Obama team when called upon, is often mentioned as someone who would be a fit for the U.S. attorney position. He has semi-celebrity status in Arizona Democratic circles, and a law degree from U.C. Berkeley's Boalt Hall doesn't hurt.

One source close to President-elect Obama's transition team, speaking on condition of anonymity, told PolitickerAZ.com that Cherny may be a contender, but didn't have any further specifics to offer.

DENVER -- Obama campaign adviser Andrei Cherny gave the Arizona delegates to the Democratic National Convention a small sneak peek at the book the presumptive Democratic nominee will release next week, to coincide with the Republican National Convention.

"It's going to be the most boring policy wonk best seller in the history of the United States," said Cherny, who had a hand in writing it.

The book is meant to be a comprehensive declaration of Sen. Barack Obama's policy positions, and according to Cherny, "pulls together all of his plans, all of his ideas." It is intended in large part to counter a frequent criticism of Obama that his inspiring speeches are light on substance.

By releasing it the week of the Republicans' convention in Minneapolis-St. Paul, it is also intended as an attempt to shift the spotlight from the GOP during days when they will almost certainly dominate the news.

Andrei Cherny is not a member of the Arizona delegation to the Democratic National Convention, but he is having an impact on the convention - and election - nonetheless.

Cherny, who joined the Arizona delegates in Denver, is no stranger to conventions. He negotiated and drafted the Democratic Party platform at the 2000 DNC, having worked as the chief speechwriter to then-vice president Al Gore. He was a top advisor to John Kerry during the primary phase of the Massachusetts senator's 2004 presidential bid, and has also advised former Pres. Clinton and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.

For most of the 2008 campaign, Cherny, a Phoenix resident, has been touting his new book, "The Candy Bombers," about the 1948 Berlin airlift, and his fingerprints have been off the presidential race.

That is no longer the case, though. Cherny told PolitickerAZ.com today that he has taken on unofficial tasks within Barack Obama's organization.