Leahy: AG Has One Week To Fix Testimony

Senate Judiciary Chairman Gives Alberto Gonzales A Chance To Clarify

(CBS/AP)  Alberto Gonzales is being given a week to correct his testimony about the Bush administration's wiretapping activities, the Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee said Sunday on Face The Nation.

"He has a week to correct it if he wants," Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vermont, said. "If he doesn't correct it, then I think that there are so many errors in there that the pressure will be very, very heavy, whether it's a special prosecutor, special counsel efforts within the – within the Congress."

Appearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday, Gonzales repeatedly and emphatically said the president's secret warrantless domestic spying program was not the subject of internal disagreement in 2004 within the Bush administration. But FBI Director Robert Mueller, appearing Thursday before the House Judiciary Committee, said it was.

Now Senate Democrats are calling for a perjury investigation, claiming Gonzales has, "at a minimum," provided "half-truths and misleading statements" in testimony to Congress, most recently over secret surveillance. The Bush administration says it still supports Gonzales and that his testimony didn't contradict Mueller's.

Four Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee are asking the solicitor general to appoint a special counsel to investigate.

"The irony is though, the Department of Justice, which is supposed to be very impartial – it's supposed to be impartial to law enforcement – is being shredded by his activities," Leahy said. "And if you lose confidence in law enforcement, it hurts everybody all the way down to the cop on the beat."

The ranking Republican on the Committee, Sen. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania, told Bob Schieffer that Gonzales should be given a change to set the record straight before a perjury investigation goes ahead.

"What we want to do is find out what the facts are so that we can formulate public policy and legislation and get the Department of Justice back on its feet," Specter said. "I think it's premature, until he's had a chance to review the record and supplement his answers."

But this controversy, Specter said, resonates throughout the country because it goes to the core of the integrity of the justice system, and he said it is time for Gonzales to step aside.

"There's no doubt, as I have said repeatedly for months now, that the Department of Justice would be much better off without him," he said.

However the Senator did not join the New York Times which said in an editorial on Sunday that Congress should consider impeaching Gonzales.

The problem cannot be completely solved, Leahy said, by President Bush firing Gonzales.

"Well, many of us said he should fire the attorney general, but I think it's more than that," Leahy said. "I think he has to state, 'We have made' — we, the administration – 'made some bad mistakes in saying we're above the law.' Nobody's above the law. The president's not above the law. You're not, I'm not. And it's got to go back to the rule of law."

[jsilver2th]

Pardon me?

[johnshaft4]

Bush Crime Family Consigiliere Alberto needs to be "fixed".

[roger_inkart]

Mr. Gonzales must stay! There couldn't possibly be a better example of the imcomptence and dishonesty the Bush administration.

Fredo is the poster child of what can go wrong when we vote the most unqualified morons into the White House.

Next time, America, THINK before you vote.

[xzavierbrown]

fixing it as in "say something the liberals wants to hear"

[seven-pesos]

bush, gonzalez, condisleezeball, foley, swaggart, robertson, falwell, delay...

all southern, all christian, all snakes...

bush loving, redneck, reborn republican snakes.

they still love bush in the south.

war, hate, arrogance, creepy republican religious snakes...

nothing good comes out of the south.

[toolmangler-2009]

Isn't that what Lawyers do when they "confer with their clients"?
(fix the testimony)

[preacherbob1]

war, hate, arrogance, creepy republican religious snakes...

nothing good comes out of the south." Funny, this didn't upset me. Obviously this writer has led a sheltered life. I am a southerner, North Carolina qualifies me. I am not a Republican, I don't hate a soul, and a religious snake? Well, I am religious...a retired Methodist Minister.

It is the non thinking, uninformed, bigoted contributor to this blog that, not only makes the rest oif us "tune out and turn off", but it doesn't say a lot for CBS.

[CBSTV]

Have the Attorney General and the Bush administration absolutely no sense of shame?

If the United States people accept these ongoing deceptions and corruption, then what is the point of having laws? What is the value of having a separation of powers and oversight from the Legislative and Judicial branches of government? If the actions of Bush, Cheney, Gonzales, et al, are considered acceptable, then we are now living in an "anything goes" society and all of us ought to feel free to do whatever we wish.

[ioweign]

It is the non thinking, uninformed, bigoted contributor to this blog that, not only makes the rest oif us "tune out and turn off", but it doesn't say a lot for CBS.
Posted by preacherbob1 at 04:39 PM : Jul 29, 2007

Coming from a minister, I find it ironic that you would blame the messenger. Says alot about the Ten Commandants doesn't it!!

[tucano2]

Put the s.o.b. in jail along with his bosses.

[formrusmcsgt]

Have the Attorney General and the Bush administration absolutely no sense of shame?

Posted by studio41 at 04:42 PM : Jul 29, 2007

No.

[honest_news]

Posted by roger_inkart:

"Next time, America, THINK before you vote."


Don't hold your breath.

[david1737]

The Republicans have absolutely no respect for the rule of law or the Constitution. At this point the remaining "loyal" Repubs. demonstrate a "go team" attitude which will stop at nothing, including the destruction of every principle on which our Nation was founded.

[jetranger7]

I done "Fired" AG-Gonzo several weeks ago, guess he doesn't know it yet ! Somebody might want to inform him tho, he's been Fired ! Ohh Ya, I Impeached Bush and Cheney too, but there too, they must not have got wind of it yet !! Hopefully word will travel fast, and we can restore some order in our Government once again and get the Criminals removed from the White House ! You all are "FIRED" !!!

[manley1946]

All this is very good. We elected an R who is beholding to the religious right but mostly to the business interests that bought the shill. Now the house is falling apart. The independent voters no longer want to be told by pius religious bigets how to live ever aspect of thir lives. We are starting to understand that we should not be a religious government but a secular government. We are seen by others as on par with the Irans of the world as extreme in our intolerance of others who are different than us. The Supreme Court justices that President Bush appointed are poster childs for intolerance of others. The card house's pile just get bigger, it will soon be our turn to sweep up the mess and start anew.

[perception5]

And the "political lynchings" in our DO-NOTHING DEMOCRAT CONGRESS CONTINUE. And they want more "do nothing members elected in 2008"..........Really!

I'm afraid the Dems control of Congress will be short lived with their 14% approval rating. However, our corrrupt liberal MSM wolfpack "will do anything" to prop their pals up...................stand by.

[gkc99]

I like that! A week to "correct" his testimony. Imagine some perjurer in court being given a week to "correct" his testimony before he's sent straight to the slammer.

That's the problem with the Dems, they don't know we're in a war. A war with a fascist shadow government that spits on the Constitution and sets themselves up as absolute rulers. The government of Bushit and Chickenshit.

Dems, this is not the time to make nicey nice. It is time to initiate impeachment proceedings.

But only a few of you have the guts to take on the machine. And the Repub machine stonewalls at every turn. The Dems may lack guts to take on the criminals, but the Repubs ARE the criminals. Traitors and cowards.

[bareemperor]

Republicons will forever be The Crook Party.
They appear painted with the same brush, there is no soul within the group.
Expect nothing else, this is the new right-wing.

[nmsuip]

Guess this means I should "correct" my last income tax filing...

[seven-pesos]

republican party seeks power not for the good of america...

but for the good of those elected.

the republican party is the party of war, hate, rednecks and reborns...

the kind of people that elected bush.

ha,ha,ha.

that's the south for you, folks!

[cdfoxtrot]

When anyone else purgers themselves, they don't have an opportunity to fix it, after being proven to be liars. Why does this guy get off the hook like this?? The Dems. collectively need a good dose of testosterone.

[xzavierbrown]

Posted by seven-pesos at 05:55 PM : Jul 29, 2007
+ report abuse

***

and after the vomit you spewed..what makes you any better?

[hungry1968]

perception5

Keep up your stupid, useless postings about the do-nothing Congress. Everyone with a brain sees the republicans are completely stonewalling every positive initiative being proposed. You thought the republicans lost the last election? Wait until Nov 2008. The corruption and scandals in this White House is so deplorable, even the Evangelicals will be voting for Democrats!! That should work out good for you particularly - once we have socialized health care in this country, you'll finally be able to have that big ugly thing removed from your shoulders.

[xzavierbrown]

one week to fix to what??

to something the rabid liberal masses want to hear.

why are they all fired up about??


oh these so called facist criminals are way to hard on terrorists. the liberal masses wants us to tone it down.

NAME ONE HONEST INNOCENT AMERICAN JOE CITIZEN WHO'S RIGHTS WERE VIOLATED. THESE LIBERALS ARE WAY TOO WORRIED ABOUT CRIMINALS, TERRORISTS AND ILLEGAL ALIENS

[hissteps4u]

Republicans and Democrats alike are all crapola harming and eroding confidence in the American Dream which was once so bright is not a distant Memory among the anals of Life.

Both Parties need to be Voted out and New blood needs to be brought in to correct the problem.

TERM LIMITS FOLKS It is the only way to get this straightened out and representation brought back to the People as it was intended by the founders who foresaw this kind of problem and Even Washington Jefferson and Hancock knew this could happen.

When will you learn and when will the Greater good of all take effect instead of the Powerful few who cling to Power like fly to ***.
IT IS TIME FOR A CHANGE

[tylenol6]

"AG has one week to fix testimony" Leahy said.

Oh!!!! Please........Give me a friggin break. These
idiots in Congress are unreal. Looks like the same
old *** going nowhere. The idiots in Congress are
going on a month long recess in August. I wonder
if Gonzalez mysteriously resigns. Bush gets to appoint another one of his crooks for a new attorney
general without any senate confirmation. Probably
already planned.

[fascistusa]

ZEITGEISTmovie.com.

America is FASCIST. The Israeli/American Elite RULE our Country.

OOh. One week or they'll give him a spanking with a belt and a finger in the face. Gonzo's fanny is sure going to be sore.

[david1737]

Gonzo has one week to "fix" his testimony.

Translation THE FIX IS IN!!!

[tcoleman12]

This is all a show...F...Leahy.

[omega39-2009]

TERM LIMITS FOLKS It is the only way to get this straightened out and representation brought back to the People as it was intended by the founders who foresaw this kind of problem and Even Washington Jefferson and Hancock knew this could happen.

Term limits and public financing of political campaigns. The Supreme Court will also have to get rid of its ridiculous notion that "money" equates to "free speech"

[likeitis5050]

I hope this is a catch 22. If he corrects, that is proof he is guilty. If he doesn't correct that is proof he is guilty. So many opportunities in this administration and when nothing else works, Bush just refuses to talk about it and refuses to give permission for anyone else to talk. What a bunch a low life snakes.

[likeitis5050]

omega39 The Supreme Court is in up to their necks, as well. Term limits have been asked for, but it has to go through politicians...who cut their own throats by giving in to the notion. Unilateral term limits should have been installed when presidents were limited to two terms...and even that is too much for the office of president! One term of 6 years and that's it for president. If they can't do what they say they will do in 6 years...out! We have a mess in Washington and it won't be corrected in my lifetime, I am ashamed to say. It's going to take 30...maybe 40 years to clean all the mess up created by two families who have held office for the last 20 years...and one family is trying to get back in, god forbid!!!

[randalds]

One week hell! Scr*ew that and fry his lying as*s now! Send his butt to prison where he can be some convicts shower bit*ch! It's serve the lying little punk bas***** right!

[randalds]

I wonder why the right wing bible thumpers never offered such a deal to a democrat.

Posted by rharrin1 at 06:47 PM : Jul 29, 2007

Because the right wing bible beaters have a very flexible idea of what is or is nor moral. Homosexuality and drug use is immoral, unless it's Ted Haggard. Hitting on teen boys is immoral, unless it's Mark Foley. Lying under oath is immoral unless it's done to cover up for their newly risen Christ, George W. Bush! Some lies are less lies then other lies. Hypocritcal pric*ks.

[seven-pesos]

the whole world is laughing at america...

little does the world know that america has a dark side...

it's known as the republican, christian south...

formerly known as confederate rebel south.

the south never changed...

they just became reborns and republicans.

ha,ha,ha.

war, hate, rednecks, reborns...

nothing good comes out of the south.

[sshard]

Gonzales has no where to go with his testimony, except down. But he will not be alone.

Re-reading the testimony by Deputy Attorney General James B. Comey, who was acting AG at the time, one point is made absolutely clear. The surveillance program that was the topic of the hospital conversation, DoJ could not certify its legality. Neither Comey or Ashcroft ever signed off on its reauthorization, because of its questionable legality. In fact, the program was re-authorized without a signature from the DoJ. If the DoJ had found this program had little or no legal basis, those who re-authorized, put it in to practice, might well face more than perjury.

[bareemperor]

Our president is a crook.
His administration is covering for him.
The Republicon Congress is implicit in the crime.
The Democrats do not have a chance to impeach.
The USA lost when Bu$h won.

[seven-pesos]

five years in afghanistan and that idiot, bush, hasn't captured osama,

hasn't won the fight against the taliban.

hasn't won the fight in iraq.

actually, that creep, bush, hasn't accomplished one thing in his eight year presidency.

but they still love that idiot, bush, in the south.

bush is a good christian...they say in dixie.

so we support him.

can you believe that *****?

war, hate, reborns, rednecks...

never a war the south couldn't lose.

nothing good comes out of the south.

[jjp735i]

Gonzales will not change what he has already stated because that would mean he admitted to lying.

Sen.Leahy continues to make threats that go no where and mean nothing as there is no teeth with in the Democratic Party.

Hearing after hearing and no one is found to be responsible for anything.

[sjc_1]

Gonzo is SO incredibly dense that his reply was effectively...nope, that is my story and I am sticking to it. He may be more of a dufus than W. I did not think that was possible!

[randalds]

Gonzo is SO incredibly dense that his reply was effectively...nope, that is my story and I am sticking to it. He may be more of a dufus than W. I did not think that was possible!
Posted by sjc_1 at 08:57 PM : Jul 29, 2007

Well it's like Bill Maher said the other night on his HBO special, Bush always wants to be the smartest person in the room, so he has to surround himself with complete morons and idiots for that to happen. Actually it's quite an accomplishment if you think about it. I mean do you know how hard it must have been to put together a complete staff of people more stupid then Bush? OMG they must have had to scour the trailer parks for years!

[hungry1968]

One week hell! Scr*ew that and fry his lying as*s now! Send his butt to prison where he can be some convicts shower bit*ch! It's serve the lying little punk bas***** right!
Posted by RandalDS at 07:44 PM : Jul 29, 2007


Never happen. Bush will commute the sentence faster than Gonzales can say, "I don't recall".

[rushlimpdrug]

I'm afraid the Dems control of Congress will be short lived with . . . . . our corrrupt liberal MSM wolfpack "will do anything" to prop their pals up...................stand by.
Posted by perception5

ok perception5 you have one week to correct your postings
"there are so many errors in there that the pressure will be very, very heavy"

[stevex47]

After their whole congressional "leadership" knowingly hid (which encourged) that Foley, I knew we were dealing with a very, very, low bunch.

Knowing that kind of behavior is going on, and doing nothing about it, well..that's a low-life person.

[hungry1968]

I'm wondering...

If I rob a bank, and I don't get caught, I get away with the money.

If I rob a bank, and I get caught, do I have up to a week to return the money without being charged with a crime?

What if I updated my voter registration from Democrat to Republican? Would that work, or is there a waiting period to commit crimes without fear of punishment?

[randalds]

Never happen. Bush will commute the sentence faster than Gonzales can say, "I don't recall".

Posted by hungry1968 at 09:06 PM : Jul 29, 2007


That's true, but you know I wonder if anyone has told the chimp yet that he can pardon everyone, but himself? Or are they all going to trot out of the office on the last day with their pardons in hand leaving him holding the bag? LOL!

[micma-2009]

Clarify? He lied again and again. What's there to clarify? This is redonculous!

[randalds]

Leahy said...."Nobody's above the law. The president's not above the law. You're not, I'm not. And it's got to go back to the rule of law."

Somehow I think Bush was absent the day that idea was taught in school...or too dam*n drunk or high to get it. And he still can't grasp the simple concept that he is a government employee. A public servant and nothing more. He is not a king. Not a dictator. Not above the law. There has to be a legal way to smack the stupid son of a bi*tch up side his thick skull and remind him of that. He works for us, not the other way around.

[fizzal-2009]

When are we gona get pass the he said she said accusations and get on to the neglgence of this country in letting illegals operate without sending a bill to whatever country they are from for their benifits and stop threating us with the loss of our benifits.

[xzavierbrown]

Posted by RandalDS at 10:11 PM : Jul 29, 2007
+ report abuse

***
what are you talking about? what law had he broken. you mean the law where he is suppose to listen to you in regards to respecting the rights of terrorists to kill us?
All are allegations, congress cant do shi t, your elected democrats cant do sh it..you know why??

whinning about some allegations does not make it real..congress knows that..the democrats knows that..pelosi knows that..france knows that, the UN knows tha, amnesty international knows that, the EU knows that.THAT IS WHY IT IS ALL ERRIE SILENCE from all the only person who seems to not understand that is you.