Docs: Gonzales OK'd Firings 4 Months Ago

Documents Contradict Earlier Claims That He Was Not Closely Involved In Attorneys' Dismissals

(AP)  Attorney General Alberto Gonzales approved plans to fire several U.S. attorneys in a November meeting, according to documents released Friday that contradict earlier claims that he was not closely involved in the dismissals.

The Nov. 27 meeting, in which the attorney general and at least five top Justice Department officials participated, focused on a five-step plan for carrying out the firings of the prosecutors, Justice Department officials said late Friday.

There, Gonzales signed off on the plan, which was crafted by his chief of staff, Kyle Sampson. Sampson resigned last week amid a political firestorm surrounding the firings.

The documents indicated that the hour-long morning discussion, held in the attorney general's conference room, was the only time Gonzales met with top aides who decided which prosecutors to fire and how to do it.

Justice spokeswoman Tasia Scolinos said it was not immediately clear whether Gonzales gave his final approval to begin the firings at that meeting. Scolinos also said Gonzales was not involved in the process of selecting which prosecutors would be asked to resign.

On March 13, in explaining the firings, Gonzales told reporters he was aware that some of the dismissals were being discussed but was not involved in them.

"I knew my chief of staff was involved in the process of determining who were the weak performers — where were the districts around the country where we could do better for the people in that district, and that's what I knew," Gonzales said last week. "But that is in essence what I knew about the process; was not involved in seeing any memos, was not involved in any discussions about what was going on. That's basically what I knew as the attorney general."

Later, he added: "I accept responsibility for everything that happens here within this department. But when you have 110,000 people working in the department, obviously there are going to be decisions that I'm not aware of in real time. Many decisions are delegated."

Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., who is leading the inquiry into the firings, said: "If the facts bear out that Attorney General Gonzales knew much more about the plan than he has previously admitted, then he can no longer serve as attorney general."

The documents were released Friday night, a few hours after Sampson agreed to testify at a Senate inquiry next week into the firings of eight U.S. attorneys last year.

Earlier Friday, a staunch White House ally, Sen. John Cornyn, summoned White House counsel Fred Fielding to Capitol Hill and told him he wanted "no surprises."

"I told him, 'Everything you can release, please release. We need to know what the facts are,"' Cornyn said.

Sampson will appear Thursday at a hearing of the Senate Judiciary Committee, his attorney said. His appearance will mark the first congressional testimony by a Justice Department aide since the release of thousands of documents that show the firings were orchestrated, in part, by the White House.

Sampson "looks forward to answering the committee's questions," wrote his attorney, Brad Berenson, in a two-paragraph letter to Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., and the panel's top Republican, Sen. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania.

"We trust that his decision to do so will satisfy the need of the Congress to obtain information from him concerning the requested resignations of the United States attorneys," Berenson wrote.

E-mails between the White House and the Justice Department, dating back to the weeks immediately after the 2004 presidential election, show Sampson was heavily engaged in deciding how many prosecutors would be replaced, and which ones. The Bush administration maintains the dismissals of the eight political appointees were proper.

Democrats, however, question whether the eight were selected because they were not seen as, in Sampson's words, "loyal Bushies."

"He was right at the center of things," Schumer said earlier of Sampson. "He has said publicly that what others have said is not how it happened. ... He contradicts DOJ."

Schumer said he hoped Sampson would provide more detail about who initiated the firings and whether they were politically motivated.

[naber1961]

Imagine that.... another Bush crony has selective amnesia. What a bunch of LIARS. these last 6 years have been nothing but a LIE!!!

[dallison7]

Also Friday, the Justice Department said it had found additional e-mails, calendar pages and other documents about the dismissals and was working to send them to the House and Senate panels that oversee the Justice Department. It was unclear when those documents would be delivered.

I wonder if this will help fill in the 15 day gap in docs that were evident last week!

[walt1944-2009]

Once again, another Bush official has been caught in a lie which I am sure is one of many Gonzales has told. As parents, we tell our kids that they should never lie, that lies are always found out eventually. Amazingly, politicians and corporate executives have no such problem, especially when it comes to attaining power and greed. But, as parents would say, lies are always discovered and it doesn't matter who or what you are, you end up with egg on your face when they are. In Gonzales's case, maybe egg on his face would improve his stupid looks.

[gkc99]

So Gonzo, Bushit's cute lil chihuahua Mex houseboy, is as big a liar as massa! Lying under oath! Is that what Neocondom said was grounds for Clinton impeachment?

[radiob-2009]

Who fed who to the "lions " Sampson or the White House?Another fall guy????

[bkotarsk]

It is HARD to BELIEVE that a person of The BUSH ADMINISTRATION would TELL A LIE !!

Some one Must Have Made this all up.

The Reason we have not been informed of the finding of WMD in IRAQ. Because it is TOP SECRET !

[macusweil]

Luv it!! "Torture Boy" is as good as gone!!!!

[macusweil]

Let's get an indictment on "Torture Boy" Gonzales for obstruction then send his sorry lying little a** down to Gitmo for a some water boarding and maybe to play naked with the dogs. Hope he'll rat out the big chicken hawk himself VP Cheney, who we'll then gladly impeach.

[afmca]

Bye - Bye ... Another immoral Bushiite bites the dust. In the end , will they find one honest man ... I doubt it.

[webdepot]

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, this little tid bit is hitting the news:

WASHINGTON, March 23 %u2014 The second-highest official at the Interior Department during President Bush%u2019s first term, J. Steven Griles, pleaded guilty on Friday to lying before a Senate committee about his ties to Jack Abramoff, the disgraced lobbyist who is now in prison.

heh heh heh

The house of cards is falling down... Methinks I'll be able to smile and laugh all the up to the next election, where we can dump the rest of the right wing wacko neocons.

[inventagod]

Yer doin' a FINE job there, Gonzo!

Another one bites the dust....

[wizest]

Why do I have the feeling I am reading about the fall of the Roman Empire?

[fairandbal]

King George (Bush) II was clearly out to get rid of all opposition to his rule with this action. time for Bush and Cheney to be impeached. Nothing less means our Democracy is over!

[arthurcl1]

Yes I agreee with comments by fairandbal regarding "King George (Bush) II was clearly out to get rid of all opposition to his rule with this action. time for Bush and Cheney to be impeached. Nothing less means our Democracy is over!" Only I always call him Emperor George who sees himself like Julius Ceaser of Rome!
Now even the House and Senate can see what he really is by him really getting upset at their trying to reign in his Empriracle Madness of our Country as in the Bush Dynasty! NO MORE PUSH PUSH IN THE BUSH!

[frankly6]

Wonder when Gonzo's going to shave his head and check into rehab.

[jerr11]

This whole administration is based on lies and deception.

And what's truly amazing is that there are still people who believe them!

How many lies do you have to be told before you realize you've been had!

How many lemons do you have to buy from a used car salesman before you realize you're dealing with a crook!

There is not a shred of honesty and sincerity in this adminstration.

[missut2]

My, my, my...why am I not surprised??? Bush, Cheney, and their little group of self-rightous liars and thieves need to be drug into Congress and impeached! Then they should be escorted from the premesises immediately, before they can do any further damage to our country. I am going to be watching this one closely. I plan to write, email, call...whatever I have to do to let my republican senators and representative know that I am watching them and what I expect from them. Of course, I didn't vote for any of them, but I expect them to oust this lying, thieving bunch and rid us of their sorry butts...

[inventagod]

Is that 5WarGames Cheney loading the shotgun???

[searingtruth]

A Question of Evil

What is evil? Where is it? How does it arise? How will we recognize it? How do we defeat it?

So many beings throughout history, some in modest inquiry, and others in desperation of death, have echoed the same questions.

A question of evil.

And so many times they have been answered, with the answers regularly forgotten upon deliverance; a creeping enemy is an enemy nonetheless.

Evil is the dehumanization and subsequent torture or destruction of another. It exists all around us, all of the time. It rises via fear and appeal to hatred. It is easily recognized by its demand for ultimate secrecy and blind loyalty.

And it is always defeated by compassion and truth.

Always.
ST


"Republicans are in a unique historical position. They are the first group of people raised on this land, who call themselves Americans, that openly proclaim the virtues of torture, secret prisons, extra judicial abduction, universal surveillance, and dictatorial government."
SearingTruth

A Future of the Brave - www.searingtruth.com

[frankly6]

Can't wait to see the neocon hacks roll out the talking points on this one Monday.

[CBSTV]

It's now abundantly clear that George Bush and Alberto Gonzales are two peas in a pod.

[missut2]

Is Gonzales on drugs or something? Look at his eyes in the above picture...He doesn't even know where he is....scary!

[seven-pesos]

bush and gonzalez...

just another couple of slave state republican snakes.

dixie white trash creeps.

faith professing pieces of southern *****.

rednecks, white trash, fat azzed, smelly, dixie creeps...

bush country!

nothing good comes out of the south!

[themartyred]

dirtbag liar - he's supposed to be the "top cop" what a pathetic LIAR - dammit he needs fired, bush won't fire anyone!

impeach him too!

what a lousy gov't we have with them in charge...

[searingtruth]

"Is Gonzales on drugs or something? Look at his eyes in the above picture...He doesn't even know where he is....scary!"
MissUT2


According to historic wisdom and modern science, the eyes are indeed a window into the soul. Look into the eyes of Bush and all of his henchmen, Stalin and his accomplices, Adolph, etc. and you will see the same blank sociopathic glaze. Remember when Gonzales was recently asked by Congress if there were any limits on Bush's power and he responded with same look, plus a slight smirk?
ST


"Truth is defined by the weakest of us who must suffer through it."
SearingTruth

A Future of the Brave - www.searingtruth.com

[bkotarsk]

Can anyone Remember if HITLER LIED during HIS DICTATORSHIP ?

[david1737]

Day after day I have to explain to the Neo-Con-Artists why this isn't Clinton's, or the media's fault. All I ask is that they sober up and take some responsibility for their unbridled corruption. Gonzales lied. It's time for him to step down.

[searingtruth]

"Can anyone Remember if HITLER LIED during HIS DICTATORSHIP ?"
bkotarsk


Yes.

As regularly as Bush and Stalin.
ST


"Nevertheless, far from alone, you are in the company of truth, the most faithful of all allies, and tested of all defense."
SearingTruth

A Future of the Brave - www.searingtruth.com

[frankly6]

Bush quote:

"And there is distrust in Washington. I am surprised, frankly, at the amount of distrust that exists in this town. And I'm sorry it's the case, and I'll work hard to try to elevate it."%u2014 Speaking on National Public Radio, Jan. 29, 2007

[david1737]

The Neo-Con-Artists claim that this is just a "fishing expedition." I have a feeling this is going to more fun than a Cheney hunting expedition!

[frankly6]

Bush quote:

"One has a stronger hand when there's more people playing your same cards."%u2014Washington, D.C., Oct. 11, 2006

[alphaa10-2009]

This is reminiscent of the Watergate scandal Nixon dragged the country through in the 1970's. Fast forward to Bush in 2007, and the same shifty characters are hard at work behind the scenes, employing the same Nixonian denials and falsifications to escape.

First, Sneaky Gonzales denies any "close involvement", which is to say, he would rather not admit he actually planned and signed-off on the political assassinations. Gonzales claims he knew little about who, or why. The targeted employees were merely "underperformers"-- including, apparently, one who won recognition for her previous job performance by bureau standards.

Next, Gonzales pedals furiously to put distance between himself and developments. He attempts to create Plausible Deniability by saying no CEO can keep track of all his employees do-- matching Nixon's claim Watergate was a "third rate burglary" of which he was completely unaware.

Gonzales simply denies he knows anything-- which most of us already understood when he was up for confirmation-- and claims he forgot the rest. Amnesia, deceit, denial and contrived phrasings-- as opposed to the "truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth"-- seem the hallmark of the Bush regime.

[kansas1946]

Gosh, I read down through all of the posts and I did not find one of the Bush apologists anywhere. You think they are finally getting tired of defending this corrupt, evil, unAmerican, creepy, dangerous, administration? Good-bye Gonzalez..good-bye.

[searingtruth]

"When everything is secret, everything is legal."
SearingTruth

"Evil thrives in mortal fear of truth, to prosper only in secret."
SearingTruth

A Future of the Brave - www.searingtruth.com

[frankly6]

Bushism:

"We look forward to analyzing and working with legislation that will make%u2014it would hope%u2014put a free press's mind at ease that you're not being denied information you shouldn't see."
%u2014Washington, D.C., April 14, 2005

[randalds]

I love where the article says this "contradicts" earlier claims. People in Washington always use bullsh*it words like that or "misled" or "not consistent with". Why not just come right out and say it the right way, they lied. Gonzales, Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld and on and on and on all all nothing but sleazy slimy lying bastar*ds. They lie to Congress, they lie to us and they even lie to each other. This country has never in it's history had a government nearly as corrupt as the one we have now. They're all filthy scumbag liars. Not an honest one in the bunch.

[searingtruth]

"Gosh, I read down through all of the posts and I did not find one of the Bush apologists anywhere. You think they are finally getting tired of defending this corrupt, evil, unAmerican, creepy, dangerous, administration? Good-bye Gonzalez..good-bye."
kansas1946


Fellow patriot, the presence of citizens such as yourself and others, regularly appearing and armed with the truth of our founding fathers, is beginning to drive our enemies into the arms of others who believe as they do.

I am sure they will find a very comfortable haven in China, or perhaps even in Cuba. After all, there aren't that many countries left that openly espouse the philosophies of the Republican Party. They will have to accept whatever asylum they can get.
ST


"They destroyed with reckless abandon, and then plead for mercy."
SearingTruth

"And then, in the face of truth, they wept and fled in lament of their own misfortune."
SearingTruth

"It's time to empty our secret prisons. Let us free the innocent, and justly convict the guilty."
SearingTruth

A Future of the Brave - www.searingtruth.com

[darkfyreaol]

I wonder what kind of constitutional showdown the President had in mind?

[searingtruth]

"I wonder what kind of constitutional showdown the President had in mind?"
darkfyreaol


The one between the Americans and the Fascists.
ST


"True freedom is always in jeopardy."
SearingTruth

A Future of the Brave - www.searingtruth.com

[frankly6]

Bushism:

"There's an old saying in Tennessee%u2014I know it's in Texas, probably in Tennessee%u2014that says, fool me once, shame on%u2014shame on you. Fool me%u2014you can't get fooled again."%u2014Nashville, Tenn., Sept. 17, 2002

[searingtruth]

"Bushism:
"There's an old saying in Tennessee%u2014I know it's in Texas, probably in Tennessee%u2014that says, fool me once, shame on%u2014shame on you. Fool me%u2014you can't get fooled again."%u2014Nashville, Tenn., Sept. 17, 2002"
frankly6


Ahhhh, the Iraq strategy.

Thank you patriot frankly6, for this and every day you have served your country.
ST


"Whenever you murder someones child, by hand, bullet, or bomb, their parents believe you are evil."
SearingTruth

A Future of the Brave - www.searingtruth.com

[goldesprit]

"If the facts bear out that Attorney General Gonzales knew much more about the plan than he has previously admitted, then he can no longer serve as attorney general."

AND throw him in jail.

[smirk5]

The Bush Admin sure runs from the bible when they are actually asked to swear to something.

[alphaa10-2009]

seven-pesos said, "... nothing good comes out of the south!"
---

I understand your examples, and many remind me the South has its share of problems. But remember the South is/was also home to Gore, Johnson, Anne Richards, Molly Ivins, Gene Lyons, Jimmy Carter, Dean Rusk, Ralph McGill, M.L. King, and yes, Bill and Hillary Clinton.

About any one of these people, some dirt and derogatory anecdote surely exists. But in the main, America profited by their best work and courageous efforts. While none of them is perfect, none of us is, either.

Rather than bash a whole region for the obvious failures of a few, avoid the "us vs. them" type of thinking Bush often uses to divide and distract Americans.

[searingtruth]

""If the facts bear out that Attorney General Gonzales knew much more about the plan than he has previously admitted, then he can no longer serve as attorney general."

AND throw him in jail."
goldesprit

"The Bush Admin sure runs from the bible when they are actually asked to swear to something."
Smirk5


It appears that Americans are far less foolish and gullible than Bush and his henchmen were hoping. In fact, they appear to be incredibly wise.
ST


"Nothing is more certainly written in the book of fate than that these people are to be free."
Thomas Jefferson, Autobiography, 1821

A Future of the Brave - www.searingtruth.com

[bildooreilly]

These kinds of stories only come out LATE FRIDAY NIGHTS.

[searingtruth]

"These kinds of stories only come out LATE FRIDAY NIGHTS."
bildooreilly

Indeed patriot bildooreilly. An unjust hardship upon the just.

Freedom is a blessing, and hardship, upon us all.

Thank goodness you are so often here to defend it. In fact, you are here far more often than I. Thank you again.

However, the release date of Gonzales's latest lie will not shield him, or others in intelligence or executive positions, from the droves of patriotic American intelligence and military professionals now willing to tell the truth now that Congress has been returned to the Americans, and their lives and families are no longer threatened by the Republicans.
ST


"Every government degenerates when trusted to the rulers of the people alone. The people themselves, therefore, are its only safe depositories."
Thomas Jefferson, Notes on the State of Virginia, Query 14, 1781

A Future of the Brave - www.searingtruth.com

[swwils]

I thought that was part of his job,to hire and fire.Now if he did it to gain personal or friendly clout then fire him!

[j0hnwi11iams]

Here comes the old amnesia alibi. Too bad it didn't work for Libby. Reagan really WAS senile.

[searingtruth]

"Freedom had been hunted round the globe; reason was considered as rebellion; and the slavery of fear had made men afraid to think. But such is the irresistible nature of truth, that all it asks, and all it wants, is the liberty of appearing."
Thomas Paine, Rights of Man, 1791

"We have it in our power to begin the world over again."
Thomas Paine, Common Sense, 1776

"The depth of human compassion may be measured by how often they forgive their gods."
SearingTruth

A Future of the Brave - www.searingtruth.com