Gonzales' Support Among GOP Dwindling

Despite White House Praise, Attorney General Lacks Backing Of Republican Senators, One Demands He Quit

(CBS/AP)  A day after senators from his own party pummelled him, the pressure on Attorney General Alberto Gonzales to resign kept coming, reports CBS News correspondent Jim Axelrod.

Sen. Jeff Sessions of Alabama, a strong ally of President Bush and a former U.S. Attorney, today put out a statement saying Gonzales "should have a frank discussion with the White House. If he and the president decide that he cannot be an effective leader ... then he should resign."

The Judiciary Committee's top Republican, Sen. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania, stopped short of making that recommendation during yesterday's hearing; that decision, he said, belongs to Gonzales and the President.

Gonzales and other administration officials had hoped his appearance Thursday would produce a groundswell of support among Republicans, but there was little if any evidence of that.

"The attorney general sets the standard of leadership for the Department of Justice and the standard set by Mr. Gonzales in this situation has been unacceptably low," said Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK). "Leadership requires accountability and mistakes should have consequences. In this instance, the consequence should be the resignation of the attorney general."

Axelrod says that Republicans now feel the attorney general's hurt himself so badly with his testimony — including 71 instances of not being able to recall key events in the U.S. Attorney firings — that he may have no choice but to leave.

Gonzales gave no indication Friday that he was prepared to go anywhere.

"Please know that as you continue your work, I am by your side," he told an audience of crime victims' rights supporters. He spoke in a gravely voice the day after his long day of testimony.

Gonzales also called several GOP senators, including John Cornyn (R-Tex.) and Specter.

White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said President Bush had spoken with Gonzales after Thursday's hearing, and she added, "The attorney general continues to have the president's full confidence."

There was little other evidence of support for Gonzales, who has been struggling to explain last winter's firings of eight federal prosecutors.

Sen. Sam Brownback, a Kansas Republican who sits on the committee, issued a statement that notably did not urge Gonzales to remain in his post.

"Although his answers suggested that there were serious managerial issues at the Department of Justice, I did not see a factual basis to call for his resignation. As for whether the attorney general should resign, that is a question I leave to him and to the president," he said.

There were also fresh calls from Democrats for Gonzales to step down. "The president should restore credibility to the office of the attorney general. Alberto Gonzales must resign," said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California.

Sen. Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), another member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said, "I have very little confidence in Attorney General Gonzales’ ability to manage the Justice Department an in independent, non-political manner."

Sen. Mel Martinez of Florida, who doubles as the general chairman of the Republican Party, had no immediate reaction to Gonzales' appearance.

In several hours before the Judiciary Committee on Thursday, Gonzales said he had done nothing improper in firing the eight prosecutors, but conceded the case had been badly handled.

Several Republicans made plain their unhappiness.

Specter told Gonzales his description of events was "significantly if not totally at variance with the facts."

"Why is your story changing?" Charles Grassley of Iowa asked at one point, citing differences between an earlier explanation and the hearing testimony.

Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, after hearing the attorney general's account of the case, said, "Most of this is a stretch," and added it seemed to him that some of those dismissed "just had personality conflicts with people in your office or the White House and (officials) just made up reasons to fire them."

At the White House on Friday, Perino lavished praise on Gonzales. "He has done a fantastic job at the Department of Justice. He is our No. 1 crime fighter. He has done so much to help keep this country safe from terrorists. He has worked determinately to prevent predators from attacking our children," she said.

"He has worked — they have a fantastic record of fighting corruption in government and in keeping gang violence off our streets."

[hazelknows]

"Leadership requires accountability and mistakes should have consequences. In this instance, the consequence should be the resignation of the shrub". If it would only happen.....

[cantshutup]

if this isn't a dictatorship, then why don't those senators simply escort gonzales out and take his keys at the door??

[hhkeller]

"Please know that as you continue your work, I am by your side," he told an audience of crime victims' rights supporters. He spoke in a gravely voice the day after his long day of testimony.

I wonder if the audience included victims of torture, political motivated indictments, fraudulent national security letters and who know what else.

[inventagod]

Any logical citizen would have to assume this lawyer is protecting his boss.
The thread here suggests Gonzales, a long-time protector of Bu$h, was ordered to fire those attorneys who were leading investigations against prominant, Bu$h-linked Republicons. The entire administration smells of cronyism and greed, a sure-fire precursor of a large number of prison sentences...

[wayfedup]

Yet ANOTHER fine example of an administration rife with CORRUPTION from top to bottom. If there is to EVER be any justice served again in this once great, proud, and RESPECTED nation, then the PEOPLE MUST rise up as ONE and TRY BUSH, CHENEY, ROVE, RICE,WOLFOWITZ,RUMSFELD,GONZALES, etc. and HANG the WHOLE LOT for their TREASONUS crimes against HUMANITY!

[magnesum-2009]

The bigger picture:

a. Gonzales has undermined democracy with torture, wire-tappings, lies, and partisan firings.

b. The excuse was the "war on terror", which has taken about 6500 American lives (including 9/11)
compared to the 500,000 American lives lost during
the Lincoln Administrations, which did not resort to torture, and which were notably bi-partisan.

Ergo, Gonsalez has flunked the comparative test of history, and should resign immediately. Ditto Bush.

Paul Mason

[jonsid2]

Isn't it interesting? The majority of Senators from both parties think the A.G. should go. Probably the majority of Americans and the world thinks he should go. And who is it that still has his head buried in the sand and thinks he should stay? Why does GWB remain so out of touch with the rest of the world?

[magnesum-2009]

The bigger picture:

a. Gonzales has undermined democracy with torture, wire-tappings, lies, and partisan firings.

b. The excuse was the "war on terror", which has taken about 6500 American lives (including 9/11)
compared to the 500,000 American lives lost during
the Lincoln Administrations, which did not resort to torture, and which were notably bi-partisan.

Ergo, Gonsalez has flunked the comparative test of history, and should resign immediately. Ditto Bush.

Paul Mason

[wayfedup]

And who is it that still has his head buried in the sand and thinks he should stay? Why does GWB remain so out of touch with the rest of the world?
Posted by jonsid2 at 09:50 PM : Apr 20, 2007


Its kind of hard for a PUPPET to have thoughts, opinions,ideas of it's OWN, and THIS CLOWN(BUSH) is DEFINITELY NOTHING but CHENEY'S PUPPET.

[magnesum-2009]

The bigger picture:

a. Gonzales has undermined democracy with torture, wire-tappings, lies, and partisan firings.

b. The excuse was the "war on terror", which has taken about 6500 American lives (including 9/11)
compared to the 500,000 American lives lost during
the Lincoln Administrations, which did not resort to torture, and which were notably bi-partisan.

Ergo, Gonzales has flunked the comparative test of history, and should resign immediately. Ditto Bush.

Paul Mason

[jerr11]

It is clear that Gonzalez is well-schooled in the fine art of lying - G W Bush style.

He's a liar through and through and his padrone-mentor Bush should be very proud of his stellar performance today!

[wayfedup]

Yet ANOTHER fine example of an administration rife with CORRUPTION from top to bottom. If there is to EVER be any justice served again in this once great, proud, and RESPECTED nation, then the PEOPLE MUST rise up as ONE and TRY BUSH, CHENEY, ROVE, RICE,WOLFOWITZ,RUMSFELD,GONZALES, etc. and HANG the WHOLE LOT for their TREASONUS crimes against HUMANITY!

[inventagod]

Anyone tired of the stench and sound of Repuglicons slurping bucks at the treasury during the last throes of this lame-duck president's term?

[victoriarum]

I was always taught being in a leadership role you are to set an example. Being questioned about their role in a leadership position speaks for itself.

Pray for Justice and Peace.

God Bless.

[magnesum-2009]

The bigger picture:

a. Gonzales has undermined democracy with torture, wire-tappings, lies, and partisan firings.

b. The excuse was the "war on terror", which has taken about 6500 American lives (including 9/11)
compared to the 500,000 American lives lost during
the Lincoln Administrations, which did not resort to torture, and which were notably bi-partisan.

Ergo, Gonzales has flunked the comparative test of history, and should resign immediately. Ditto Bush.

Paul Mason

[emhawks]

Gonzales should definitely resigned. To me, it also seems that he is another "fall guy" for the Bush/Cheney ( and Rove) machine. Sometimes I've wondered if bin Laden is actually a type of "fall guy" for this monsterous adm.

"Secrecy, being an instrument of conspiracy, ought never to be the system of a regular government."- Jeremy Bentham (1748-1832)
jurist & philosopher

"Oh how cheaply integrity dies when power is close @ hand." - Unknown


"Man's character is his fate." - Heracletius
(540-580 BC)

[fairandbal]

jonsid2,
Because he really does think he's a King!

[wayfedup]

Anyone tired of the stench and sound of Repuglicons slurping bucks at the treasury during the last throes of this lame-duck president's term?
Posted by inventagod at 10:15 PM : Apr 20, 2007


inventagod... I'm "WAYFEDUP"!!!

[king77shaw]

Bush needs Gonzales cuz Gonzo is there to protect Bush against the inevitable investigation into what really happened on 9/11 .. that's why Chertoff's name is being floated as a possible replacement - Chertoff was the DOJ cover man in NY on 9/11 ... he also released several Mossad agents found with explosives in NJ ... they were filming and celebrating the twin towers collapse ...

[fake-id-2009]

Dear Friends,

I have the distinguished honor of chairing a committee to raise $5 million for a statue of George W. Bush to be placed in the Hall of Fame in Washington, D.C.

The committee is in a quandary where to place the statue. It is not wise to place it beside the statue of George Washington, who never told a lie; or beside Richard Nixon, who never told the truth, since George W. Bush can not tell the difference.

We decided to place it beside Christopher Columbus, the greatest of them all. He left not knowing where he was going, and upon arriving did not know where he was. He returned not knowing where he had been, and he did it all on borrowed money.

Over 5,000 years ago, Moses said to the children of Israel, "Pick up your shovels, mount your assses and camels, and I will lead you to the Promised Land."

Nearly 5,000 years later, Roosevelt said, "Lay down your shovels, sit on your assses, light up a camel--THIS is the Promised Land."

Now, Bush is stealing your shovels, kicking your assses, raising the price of your camels, and mortgaging the Promised Land.

If you are one of the fortunate people who has any money left after paying taxes, we expect a generous donation as a contribution to this worth-while project.

PS: President Bush is considering changing the GOP emblem from an ELEPHANT to a CON.DOM, because it stands for inflation, protects a bunch of pri.cks, halts production, and gives a false sense of security while one is being screwwed.

[stevex47]

Wonder how long bushie will stay the course with this guy?

Did they learn from letting Rumsfeld hang on too long?

Naaaahhh.

[emhawks]

king77shaw: Good post! I agree; I've read the same information.

[stevex47]

You gotta admit, gonzales seems like a nice guy personally.

He'd be a good neighbor at a bbq.

But Attorney General, no, he got stuck with a corrupt boss, that dragged him into complicity.

[norcalruss]

How many times did Gonzo say %u2018I don%u2019t recall.. don%u2019t remember%u2026don%u2019t know%u2026etc? This is the man who is supposed to be the HIGHEST RANKING law enforcement official in America. Are we supposed to be relieved knowing that the A.G. knows so little? Gonzales is just another sad chapter in a failed administration. Bush appointed corrupt, cronies, and yes-men to his administration, and America continues to pay for his incompetence. This is why the most corrupt administration since Richard Nixon, can%u2019t seem to get much more than a 30% approval rating. Look at all of the slime-balls appointed by George Dumbo Bush: Cheney, Rove, Wolfowitz, Libby, Gonzales, Feith, Pearl, and the list goes on and on. Gonzales is no more than a single cog on a wheel of corruption. Gonzo has to go, along with Rove, Wolfowitz, Cheney, and others.

[stevex47]

They've illegally eavesdropped e mails, etc.

Do you think they lost any of those? But yet, they lose 5 million of their own illegal e mails?

C'mon nut jobs, I'm not that out of it.

[randalds]

Gonzales is a country bumpkin lawyer who was in way over his head from the second Bush brought him to Washington. He's barely qualified to practice law (and there's some wondering about that), let alone lead an agency that has over 100,000 employees. This is the same idiot who said Habeas Corpus did not exist in the Constitution! Not that it could be gotten around, but that it was not even there! then he advised Bush that torture cold be legalized when even other right wing attorneys said that it couldn't. The man is an incompetent boob! He is a lawyer that does not even KNOW the law! Just like most of Bush's other appointees (Brown at FEMA, Condi at State, etc.) he is massively unqualified for the job he was given and it shows. Then again it's not that surprising considering his boss is also the most in over his head president in history too.

[bellal-2009]

"He has done a fantastic job at the Department of Justice. He is our No. 1 crime fighter. He has done so much to help keep this country safe from terrorists. He has worked determinately to prevent predators from attacking our children," she said.


Yes, he has. Gonzales is a good man and honorable man.

[lowman7]

Gonzo needs to go and on the way out,take the other bozo (Bush) with you. Oh!, I DON'T RECALL that there are 3 bozos-don't forget the bad shot...

[meboard]

Gonzales is an obvious home-o-sexual...that purse keeps falling out of his mouth.

[meboard]

Gonzales is an obvious home-o-sexual...that purse keeps falling out of his mouth.

[crater7]

Gonzalas is a good and honorable man;

I guess lying is a considered honorable practice in This Administration. He has been lying for his buddy ( cowboy ) for years. Lying is not just honorable to this administration, it is a job QUAILIFICATION.

[elz523]

Gonzales is either a liar or a fool or both. I am leaning towards both. Unfortunately, in this administration all that means is that he pleases and gains the confidence of the prez.

Y'know the cons always prided themselves on being efficient managers. Now it just appears, in the best light, that the conservatives are just a bunch of bungling fools who lie to cover up their ineptitude. It would be funny if it weren't so tragic for our country

[forthepeopl1]

like we have said here for a long time. watch what will be happening. now 2 more G.O.P. HAVE RESIGN SO THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING..

[toldyouso21]

Isn't it interesting? The majority of Senators from both parties think the A.G. should go. Probably the majority of Americans and the world thinks he should go. And who is it that still has his head buried in the sand and thinks he should stay? Why does GWB remain so out of touch with the rest of the world?
Posted by jonsid2 at 09:50 PM : Apr 20, 2007


No. What is really interesting is why ALL of us, Dem. Independent, Rep, and the world--give this ONE MAN the power to decide the fate of the world. it is as if he holds all of us in thrall and either we look on in adoration and infatuation or in "shock and horror" but either way---all of us are just looking so Bush remains delusional that he is the "decider" he is god.

Don't blame bush for being a meglomaniac when every single one of us that refuses to physically protest or march or demand he be impeached--have enabled and abetted this little monster.

[toldyouso21]

You gotta admit, gonzales seems like a nice guy personally.

He'd be a good neighbor at a bbq.

But Attorney General, no, he got stuck with a corrupt boss, that dragged him into complicity.
Posted by stevex47 at 11:53 PM : Apr 20, 2007


Actually, he seems like a mealy mouth weasel, who pretends to be humble, while secretly he is a *** also his mannerisms and some of the things he does with his mouth suggest a distinctly feminine aspect to his personality.

A soft spoken ***** comes to mind.

[toldyouso21]

The word that was CENSORED for some odd reason is this:

Actually, he seems like a mealy mouth weasel, who pretends to be humble, while secretly he is a 5ADIST. Also his mannerisms and some of the things he does with his mouth suggest a distinctly feminine aspect to his personality.

A soft spoken ***** comes to mind.

REPLACE THE '5' WITH AN 'S' to find out what CBS thinks is a bad word.

[toldyouso21]

You gotta admit, gonzales seems like a nice guy personally. He'd be a good neighbor at a bbq..
Posted by stevex47 at 11:53 PM : Apr 20, 2007

Stop being gullible--7 years of it should be enough. Gonzales is the kind of neighbor that would INSIST on bringing the bbq sauce, then when you and your family were writhing on the lawn in agony from the ground glass in it--gonzo would be the guy dropping to his knees, tearfully declaring that someone call 9/11 while he forcefully pinched your nose and covered your mouth to stop your screaming/breathing while he simulated CPR. If an autopsy is performed he will deny having anything to do with the glass--pin it all on his wife and claim "not to recollect" whose idea it was to insist on bringing it. I've seen his type before--they are called psychopaths-- We will never defeat Bush if people do not get a clue--this is not an either or. Bush is evil. Cheney is evil. Rove is evil. Gonzales is evil. Not nice--and definitely NOT someone to invite anywhere for anything. Don't let his practices self effacing mannerisms fool you. He did not advocate the disregard of the Geneva Conventions and torture in a vacuum.

[hsinco-2009]

Bush and his cronies all belong in jail.

IMPEACH BUSH/CHENEY NOW!!

[mcvet]

He has done a fantastic job at the Department of Justice. He is our No. 1 crime fighter. He has done so much to help keep this country safe from terrorists. He has worked determinately to prevent predators from attacking our children," she said.


Yes, he has. Gonzales is a good man and honorable man.
Posted by bellaL at 01:47 AM : Apr 21, 2007

LMAO Right! Hiring 150 4th rated Attorneys with NO experience from Heir Robertsons School was a BIG help in moving this nation forward right? ROFLMAO You have GOT to be kidding... Please tell me you are joking because that is something the Taliban would do, not an American.

[antoniof123]

It just keeps getting better and better. I can hardly wait for the next one two congress men resigned their positions now this what next is the dog going to turn states eveidence.

[jn122736]

%u201CGonzalas is a good and honorable man;%u201D

I guess lying is a considered honorable practice in This Administration. He has been lying for his buddy ( cowboy ) for years. Lying is not just honorable to this administration, it is a job QUAILIFICATION.
Posted by crater7 at 06:44 AM : Apr 21, 2007
-----------------

There are, basically, three types of liars.

One: the spur-of-the-moment liar: One who lies when an unexpected event occurs.

These kinds of lies can sometimes be excused because they may prevent greater harm, but generally are used only for prevention of possible punishment for a wrong.

Two: The pathological liar:
One who habitually/instinctively reacts to allegations (actual or perceived) with lies and/or twisted versions of the truth.

Three: The professional liar:
One, or often a group, who lie for personal gain and/or as a part of an overall plan (sound familiar?). This type of liar is often hired for, and sometimes because of, their expertise.

Actually there are other less common types such as those who are less capable of controlling their own thoughts and are easily manipulated by others such as one who will not talk to a group of questioners without someone else in the room with them. (draw your own conclusions here).

[gkc99]

Impeach now! Come on Nancy Pelosi and Hillary Clinton, this is not time to make nicey-nice tea parties. Get these criminals out of office before they have us in another war. At least tie them up with impeachment hearings where Bushit and Dickless have to testify under oath. Show some spine! That's the problem with the Democrats, they always take the easy way out.

[forthepeopl1]

TELL ME HOW HE AND BUSH CAN CHANGE LAWS AT WILL TO SUIT THERE NEEDS.....ANYONE OUT THERE TELL ME HOW THEY KEEP GETTING AWAY WITH THIS.

[tuckerndfw]

Dems do not want Gonzo to resign. The GOP wants Gonzo to resign.

Dems are getting millions of dollars in free publicity by using Gonzo to keep GOP incompetence and corruption on the front page.

I'll bet the GOP wish they had never chosen Bush as their leader. He is the poster boy for corruption & incompetence.

And, has a long reputation for stabbing people in the back. Now, he is stabbing the GOP in the back by refusing to fire Gonzo.

At this point, whether Gonzo stays or goes is irrelevant. The federal government is in shambles thanks to GOP incompetence and corruption. And, will not be corrected until the GOP is thrown out of office.

George Bush will go down in history as the most corrupt & incompetent president in US history.

[realpatriot1]

tuckerndfw,

Excellent! There's no way to improve upon your post! Too bad for the Bushies that they don't get that they're doing our bidding.

[inventagod]

This stink goes all the way to the top.

Connected Republicons were caught in criminal activities, and these attorneys were doing what they were being paid to do - investigate.
Bu$h stopped it, and is now letting his long-time friend and lawyer twist in the wind.

These are not the class of people I want running America.

[magnesum-2009]

The bigger picture:

a. Gonzales has undermined democracy with torture, wire-tappings, lies, and partisan firings.

b. The excuse was the "war on terror", which has taken about 6500 American lives (including 9/11)
compared to the 500,000 American lives lost during
the Lincoln Administrations, which did not resort to torture, and which were notably bi-partisan.

Ergo, Gonzales has flunked the comparative test of history, and should resign immediately. Ditto Bush.

Paul Mason

[abbe7]

"The Judiciary Committee's top Republican, Sen. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania, stopped short of making that recommendation during yesterday's hearing; that decision, he said, belongs to Gonzales and the President."

No, sir. To my humble point of view, Gonzales shouldn't resign ...
He should be impeached and removed by you and your
colleagues. You have the power to do so.

[tuckerndfw]

tuckerndfw,

Excellent! There's no way to improve upon your post! Too bad for the Bushies that they don't get that they're doing our bidding.

Posted by realpatriot1 at 10:20 AM : Apr 21, 2007

Thanks, but I cannot take credit for it being an original thought.

I read or listen to different columnists or political analysts and the reference to Bush supporting Gonzo being more harmful to the GOP than anyone else is based on their remarks.

With which I agree.

[jn122736]

abbe7, I believe tuckerndfw is correct on this He is more helpful in making the public aware of the situation by staying where he is than if he were to resign.