Gonzales Is Gone…Almost
By Justin Gardner | Related entries in General Politics, Law
It’s pretty much inevitable now, especially after his recent non-apology apology to US attorneys.
Seriously…I don’t think you’re going to believe this one:
Gonzales apologized to the prosecutors not for the firings but for their execution, including for inaccurate public statements about poor job performance, according to people familiar with the afternoon conference call.“It shouldn’t have happened,” Gonzales said, according to one lawyer familiar with the conversation. The lawyer, who asked not to be identified because of the sensitive nature of the matter, said Gonzales acknowledged that he’d seemed too detached during his news conference earlier this week. He told the prosecutors that he “should have known” about the dismissal planning by his former chief of staff.
“I want you to feel like you can be open with me,” Gonzales told the attorneys, and he gave his assurance that their independence was expected and that they wouldn’t be punished.
Wait, wait, wait. Am I reading this right? He wouldn’t apologize for firing somebody who was doing a good job and was only let go because of politically motivated pressures? I’m sorry, but if my boss fired somebody and told everybody IN THE WORLD that it had to do with their performance, but then it was revealed it didn’t have anything to do with performance…would you ever trust him again?
So here’s the score people. Internal White House emails show that Gonzales knew about this plan when Rove floated it. So this apology appears to be yet another attempt to confuse and obfuscate. In short, he’s lying, and at this point…that’s really sad.
And here’s more about what others think about Alberto’s chances of sticking around…
The fallout from the firings continues to grow in Washington, and sources tell CBS News that it looks like Attorney General Alberto Gonzales will take the fall.Republicans close to the White House tell CBS News chief White House correspondent Jim Axelrod that President Bush is in “his usual posture: pugnacious, that no one is going to tell him who to fire.” But sources also said Gonzales’ firing is just a matter of time.
The White House is bracing for a weekend of criticism and more calls for Gonzales to go. One source tells CBS News he’s never seen the administration in such deep denial, and Republicans are growing increasingly restless for the president to take action.
When is he leaving? Post your predictions down in the comments.
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March 17th, 2007 at 1:41 pm
Well it is fallout from the 2006 reauthorization of the Pariot Act. Did anyone ever read it? Under rules from the Reagan era, Senate Confirmation was required for all U.S. attorneys. The AG could appoint an interim vacancy for 120 days. After that period, the authority to keep the interim appointment went to the District Court.
In 2006, Patriot Act authorized terminations and indefinite replacements with no notice. no due process. No hearings. A de-facto “Star Chamber” Proceeding. Alberto Gonzales, Harriet Myers, and Karl Rove were allegedly behind it. If true, I am beginning to believe that parts of the Patriot Act are facist. If true, Gonzales should go Monday and we should return to the policy the worked well beginning with Reagan.
March 17th, 2007 at 2:29 pm
When is he leaving? Post your predictions down in the comments.
As soon as Bush and Gonzales figure out how to spin it as though it had nothing to do with any political pressure.
March 17th, 2007 at 8:16 pm
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March 17th, 2007 at 10:25 pm
I hope it will be Monday, but I’m not holding my breath.. The sooner more Republicans jump on the “Dump Gonziles” bandwagon, the sooner his “resignation” will occur.
My reasoning has to do with the resignation of Rummy, which occurred soon after the Democrats gained control of both Houses of Congress. It was clear at that point that Rumsfeld was a severe liability, since many Republicans were just plain disgusted with him. Cheney & Rove saw that coming & convinced Bush it was time for him to go. Right now, as was said, it is only a matter of finding a way to make it appear it is not a retreat. But if more Republicans reverse their support, they will have no choice.
March 18th, 2007 at 5:11 am
Gonzales and Karl rove must get out of DC. Both these guys are over rated incompetent stupid guys. They are nothing but ass- kissers of a stupid President. Compared to Bush they may be smart. But compared to any Democrat they are illiterate. I can not understand how a guy with a name Gonzales became Attorney general of USA. Gonzales, Condi Rice and Karl Rove should be kicked out. These three people are super Ass-Kissers.
March 18th, 2007 at 11:13 am
Regarding Kevin’s comments and the Patriot Act.
It’s worse than that.
These provisions in the act were never even voted on. They were added after the Senate vote in the House-Senate Conference Committee. This committee had NO DEMOCRATS ON IT.
Kevin said it best. Fascist.
March 18th, 2007 at 11:13 am
Regarding Kevin’s comments and the Patriot Act.
It’s worse than that.
These provisions in the act were never even voted on. They were added after the Senate vote in the House-Senate Conference Committee. This committee had NO DEMOCRATS ON IT.
Kevin said it best. Fascist.
March 18th, 2007 at 12:09 pm
NEVER VOTED ON in committee! I am no longer beginning to believe. I simply “believe” and this makes Juan and Eva Peron’s rule in Argentina seem mild in comparison. “I am beginning to equate Bush II with Franco, can’t think why?”
March 18th, 2007 at 12:36 pm
I’ve been telling people for years, this Bush Movement mirrors the evangelical cult-style for its blind hero worship. Nobody really thought all the cults were gone from Texas, did they?
At ANY cost these believers will laydown for the cause and that’s what re-publi-cons have developed into the past 20 years, Setting the stage for themselves and this country to move ever closer toward theocracy based government. Started with worshipping Reagan, who singlehandedly orated the Soviets into collapse with his moral supremecy over the godless commies.
Was there really any question that the Iraq invasion wasn’t about WMDs, regime change, oil or Al-Quitya? Nope it was about Christians fighting the Islamic Jihadists and nudging closer to the EnD tImEs. Look up your local re-publi-con Congressman and see if he/she/it doesn’t fit the profile of a ‘believer’: waving the flag to get other mindless glogs to “Support the Troops/President/War/Fight Terrorists/Be Stupid-but-A-Winner Too.”
That’s what this whole ‘patriotism’ gig is REALLY about:
Motivating the mindless, non-thinking believers wanting to support a cause, a mission, the ONE TRUE PATH. And let me guess: George W. Bush is the ONE?
Think about THAT the next time one of them writes a missive about ‘fighting them over there’, and ‘handing Iraq to the terrorists’. Just ignore what is written and mentally insert the following:
“Yep. We won the war: we own Iraq and the Right to Tell Them How To Live! Long live the ONE! I am STOOPID too.”
Oh. So what was the question?
Oh, yea: Alberto G. will last how long?
Answer: It doesn’t matter there will be another True Believer to take his place.
Bury the Constitution, we’re living in the Age of the EnD tImEs, and we must use all force against the non-believers!
Okay, Mom. I wrote your post. Can I get back to playing Space Invaders?
March 19th, 2007 at 11:44 am
Sorry, Bob, but it won’t be a Monday. This administration only makes this kind of action (i.e embarassing) on Fridays.
March 19th, 2007 at 1:32 pm
Kelly, good point about the evangelical cult-style hero worship of the Bushies…perhaps we should send the White House a few cases of koolaid…nah, too much to hope for, I suppose…