WASHINGTON -- Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., said Tuesday he is interviewing candidates to replace ousted U.S. Attorney Daniel Bogden of Nevada and hopes to decide on a successor "sooner rather than later."

"It's a very intense focus right now to make sure that we get through all of the people. I think we have 19 names so far," Ensign said.

Some of the job applicants have come forward themselves, and others have been recommended, Ensign said.

Bogden is one of eight federal prosecutors whose dismissals have sparked an uproar in Congress and jeopardized the job of U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales.

Although he has stopped short of calling for Gonzales' resignation, Ensign has called on the attorney general and President Bush to "restore Dan Bogden's reputation."

Justice Department officials are discussing possible new jobs with Bogden, Ensign's office said last week.

Meanwhile, in searching for a successor, Ensign said his aides have been talking to applicants "all this week and have been interviewing."

Ensign declined to name any of the applicants and said he does not yet have anyone in mind to replace Bogden. The applicants are from all over the state, he added.

Two weeks ago, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada said he could support Clark County District Attorney David Roger to be the new U.S. attorney of Nevada, but Roger said he isn't interested.

"You know, there's only what -- a year and three quarters left (in Bush's term)," Ensign said. "So potentially, if there's a Democrat in the White House (in 2009), you don't know. Somebody's going into this not knowing (how long the job will last)."

When he narrows his list down to two or three candidates, Ensign said he will go to Reid and ask him if he has a problem with any of them.

If Reid doesn't raise an objection, Ensign said he will select one of the finalists and recommend that candidate to the White House to be nominated by Bush.