Cheney Hails His Pal Al

VP Says He's A "Big Fan" Of Embattled Attorney General

(CBS)  Vice President Dick Cheney said Monday that he is a "big fan" of embattled Attorney General Alberto Gonzales.

In a interview with CBS News White House correspondent Mark Knoller, the vice president also said Gonzales has been truthful in his testimony before Congress.

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Pat Leahy, a Democrat, has said he doesn't trust Gonzales, but Cheney said the attorney general has the support of the only man who really counts.

"I've had my differences with Pat Leahy," Cheney said. "I think the key is whether or not he (Gonzales) has the confidence of the president — and he clearly does."

Cheney also discussed the case of his former top aide, I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby. President Bush commuted the 2½-year prison term Libby received following his conviction in the CIA leak case.

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VP Dick Cheney On Gonzales, Libby, Iraq (13 Min.)

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The vice president said he disagreed with the jury's guilty verdict.

"You asked me if I disagreed with the verdict, and I did," he said.

That stance differs from that of the president. Mr. Bush said he respected the verdict, but thought the jail term was excessive.

When asked if he would have granted a full pardon to Libby if the choice was his, Cheney said: "I thought the president handled it right. I supported his decision."

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Read Mark Knoller's notebook on interviewing Cheney.

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Gonzales has received little in the way of public support from Republicans in the face of a concerted attack by the Democrats.

Last week, four Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee asked Solicitor General Paul Clement for the special probe of Gonzales. The request came after FBI Director Robert S. Mueller appeared to contradict Gonzales' statements about internal administration dissent over the president's secretive wiretapping program.

Gonzales told that committee the program was not at issue when then-White House counsel Gonzales made a dramatic visit to Attorney General John Ashcroft's hospital room in 2004. Mueller, before the House Judiciary Committee, said it was.

The apparent contradiction only compounded problems for Gonzales, who is losing support among members of both parties even as he retains Mr. Bush's, over a series of apparent misstatements since Congress began investigating the firings of federal prosecutors seven months ago.

Leahy sent a letter to Gonzales last Thursday giving him a week to resolve any inconsistencies in his testimony. While he has declined so far to support a perjury probe, Leahy indicated that could change.

"He has a week," Leahy said Sunday. "If he doesn't correct it, then I think that there are so many errors in there that the pressure will lead very, very heavily to whether it's a special prosecutor, a special counsel, efforts within the Congress."

[coffeehead-2009]

our tax system is remarkably regressive. Each quintile pays about the same percent of their income in taxes. The rich used to pay more, but not anymore thanks to Reagan and Bush.
Posted by UbikValis2 at 10:26 PM : Jul 31, 2007


Florida is tops in this issue.
The BIG scam to get voters to lower home taxes and add a 2c. state tax - only problem was that it is KNOWN that the poor pay MORE state taxes than the rich. So in reality the rich would be getting even more free tax $$ *yes we pay for their oceanfront rebuilding every year via our "citizens insurance" and private increases to cover their losses*.

They scammed the public and today -- *well they reported it for about 4 hours yesterday/today it is history*...
They DID give a break and yes it proved just as this NWO thing planned. Disney and "timeshare" holders receive MILLIONS -- the average taxpayer 124.00. PLUS - we lose fire/police/education/disable assistance/childrens medical aide etc... to cover the loss of state income. It's so IN YOUR FACE that I can't believe the ratings are as high as they are. Look around you and above the media propaganda of distractions.

[ubikvalis2]

And of course Cheney is a "big fan" of Gonzalez. Members of crime families form strong bonds, and Gonzalez would never ever dream of investigating anything Cheney does.

[firststate]

When the Attorney General of the United States lies under oath, it's a legal issue. That's the whole problem with Gonzales, law enforcement and prosecutions are supposed to be based on the law, not on the politics of the offender.

As Bush's attorney for most of his career, Gonzales has performed his duties on behalf of his client, devotedly. His problem seems to be that he's forgotten that as the Attorney General of the United States, his client is NOT George Bush, his client, entitled to his loyalty and his best effort is the United States. George Bush is simply a fellow employee of the United States A.K.A. We the People.

All this is likely to be moot. Gonzales will probably resign very soon. bush will make a recess appointment so that his nominee doesn't have to be confirmed by the Senate. His AG won't have to answer questions about politicizing the DOJ, illegal wiretaps, separation of powers, signing statements or whether the president can overrule the Constitution.

[ubikvalis2]

Why do people trying to defend tax cuts for the rich ONLY LIST INCOME TAXES? The majority of Americans pay more in payroll taxes than income taxes! When you consider ALL forms of taxation (income, payroll, state, property, sales, etc.) -- our tax system is remarkably regressive. Each quintile pays about the same percent of their income in taxes. The rich used to pay more, but not anymore thanks to Reagan and Bush.

[cbsreader4]

I believe I would just appreciate it if Cheney would hail his pal Al from a jail cell where I believe they both belong. Perhaps they could wave good morning every day to another that should also be along side them, in my opinion- Bush.

[randalds]

"The overwhelming majority of federal income taxes are paid by the very highest income earners. The top 1% of income earners pay about 32% of all income taxes. The top 5% pays 51.4%. The top 10% of high income earners, pay 63.5%. The top 20% of income earners pays 78% of all federal income taxes."

Posted by dennisctc at 07:30 PM : Jul 31, 2007

I think that's quite fair, though a little higher taxes on the upper 5% would be nicer. Perhaps in the form of a luxury tax on 2nd homes, yachts and cars over $50k, if not an out right increase in thier income tax.

Sorry Satcomps, but when Rangel wants to let Bush's tax cuts expire, taxes are going UP. You can play the divisive "Tax cuts for the Rich" but the numbers don't add up according to the IRS and NY Times

"The overwhelming majority of federal income taxes are paid by the very highest income earners. The top 1% of income earners pay about 32% of all income taxes. The top 5% pays 51.4%. The top 10% of high income earners, pay 63.5%. The top 20% of income earners pays 78% of all federal income taxes."

If you want to rebalance the system, try a fair flax tax like Russia and Brazil have. Let the citizens know exactly what this great gov't is costing them!!I'm even for exempting the poorest of the poor from any tax, but lets have some visibility/sunlight on taxes, not more pages of tax codes!!

As for Kennedy, He cut taxes, he defended the USA and he'd be apalled at the handouts americans are looking for and how the dems are promising anything i.e...citizenship (instead of enforcing our laws), free healthcare, free college education for votes. You can't deny his famous speeches about defending the USA against any foes or Ask Not quote. BTW I didn't bash Teddy or have I seen anyone on here who has. Look at you calling conservatives Idiots and Moronic or "grow up".....more old name calling. If I call Teddy a Liberal, that's not name calling, it's the truth. We don't need to talk about his drinking or Mary Jo do we??

[sathomps102]

It's funny how republicans want to scream foul whem dems want to uphold the law. How many times are we going to hear the Jefferson comments?

If you would like to keep score.. I'll menntion Delay... you mention Jefferson... I'll mention Libbey... you bring up Clinton... I'll mention Tom Noe... you come bck with Jefferson... I mention Abramoff... you talk about Clinton.... I saw Cheaney... you say Jefferson.....

Give it a rest. Jfferson should be gone, Clinton was impeached for perjury. So should Libbey... so shoudl Gonzalez... so should Cheaney... and as long as Bush wants to model his presidency after Nixon... he will be next.

Stop backing your corrupt republican cronies and start supporting what made this country what it is.

Wait... uh oh.. another republican talking point... we hate our troops and back Bin laden...

lmao! Comedy in politics... thank god for republicans!

[randalds]

First of all, I'm pretty sure that Bush doesn't know how to read or write. He certainly can't speak fluently.
That's not grace under pressure - that's indifference.
Posted by hungry1968 at 06:00 PM : Jul 31, 2007

Awww...now...there's at least a chance he knows how to read...unless he was just looking at the pictures in "My Pet Goat"? You know when he was running for president in 2000 a reporter asked him what his favorite children's book was. He said "The Very Hungry Caterpillar". Which is sort of odd considering that book wasn't published until after he "graduated" from Yale. Given all that I'd put his reading and comprehension level right around 1st or 2nd grade.

[randalds]

Rock on!!
One piece of advice - if she looks like Monica, do a "tightrope walker".


Keep saying to yourself - don't look down! Don't look down!


:-)
Posted by hungry1968 at 05:55 PM : Jul 31, 2007

Naw! I just always insist on paying for her dry cleaning. Immediately!

;-)

[hotguyg]

The hypocrisy from the liberals on this site is classic. The only crimes Liberals ever care about are theoretical ones that could embarass President Bush. Listen Libs, there will never be a Republican President that you guys will ever give a fair shake to. No matter how low the unemployment rate or how many countries he cleans the terrorists out of. So to avoid Republican Presidencies in the future, open your wallets and start pouring your money into your Liberal Candidates campaigns. Joe Biden and Chriss Dodd could really use a few bucks right now.
Maybe Senator Leahy could look into and comment on the case of Congressman William Jefferson. The FBI found $100,000 in his freezer and the guy who bribed him already pleaded guilty months ago. Jefferson is still serving in Congress. But how could that possibly compare to possible perjury during a congressional witch hunt??

[no_lemming]

"...he's telling the truth"...
and I know a lot about truth, I'm *** Cheney!

It seems that as long as a Republican makes a statement, their lemmings bite the hook and begin making the Republican statement a mantra in their lives...

I wonder if a precursor to becoming a republican is having the thinking part of your brain removed...

[sathomps102]

Let's clarify one thing. There is obviously an abundance of GOP readers based on the comments posted. As there should be.

1. If Kennedy was alive today, he would NOT be a republican. At the time, he did cut taxes, just as many other dems have in the past. Just because the GOP taling point is a blanket.. Liberals want to raise taxes 20 - 30% does not make it the truth. Liberals want to re-balance the tax system and not give the rich a free ticket. There is a very big difference there.

2. There are many posts that seem to give the impression that because the dems are after law-breakers, e.g. Gonzalez, then we must be raciest because he is hispanic. Not true. If one breaks the law, one must be held accountable. President Clinton was, and most of the dems in congress agreed with his impeachment. This does not change for republicans. white, black, hispanic, if you break the law, you will pay the concequence.

What you republicans need to undersdtand is, you need to distance yourself from a failed presidency, and actually come up with some sort of concrete talking points, other than trying to make liberals look bad. It is moronic and idiotic of you to scream racisim, talk about kennedy as if he would be a republican when all you do is bash his brother. It is one man, who crafted a failed policy, multiple failed policies which will ultimately cost many of these politicians their job. Wise up and move on and grow up!

[elsies-2009]

To HUNGRY1968: I am DELIGHTED to go away and DELIGHTED not to be missed by the likes of you! To be so ignorant as to suggest Pres Bush cannot read or write is beyond the pale. Sure he could speak better, but at least he admits it. I have a good idea that YOU never would. What a sad miserable life you must live! I would bet the farm you are a Democrat!

I just don't understand the lack of civility on these comments. Whenever I see libs commenting, they're usually filled with visceral HATE, name calling, and with nothing to back their claims. How sad!! When I was growing up, I remember hearing how Liberals were open minded, compassionate, loving people. I don't see any of that in these postings. Sad!!

If JFK were alive today, he'd be a Republican. I just won't spout this with backing it up like the previous Lincoln comment.

1) Kennedy cut taxes. The largest tax cut until Reagan's

2) Kennedy believe in using force if necessary i.e..Bay of Pigs, Cuban Missles and sending troops into Vietnam

3) Kennedy's line about "Ask not what your country can do for you...." Is the total opposite of what you hear from Dems wanting gov't to prior everything, attack business etc...

[hungry1968]

"I seldom look at this CBS internet site and I refuse to watch their news."

So go away. You won't be missed.

"President Bush would never write that way. He certainly has grace under pressure."
Posted by Elsies at 05:54 PM : Jul 31, 2007

First of all, I'm pretty sure that Bush doesn't know how to read or write. He certainly can't speak fluently.
That's not grace under pressure - that's indifference.

[moronpolitic]

The democrat power elite can't stand the idea that a hispanic is attorney general and a black woman is secretary of state instead of mowing their lawn and cleaning their house. too bad. thes are two of George W Bush's closest advisors and friends instead of the window dressing phoney appointments with no power that the dems give to minorities. Condi went to elementary school with the little girls killed in the Birmingham church bombings. Al Gonzales WORKED his way up, going to a public county high school in an unincorporated area, enlisted in the air force, went to cadet school, then Rice, then put himself through Harvard Law. The grandson of illegal aliens, he isn't like the French/Hawaiian/Prep-School Negro-Lite minorities they prefer. www.moronpolitics.com

[hungry1968]

You mean this doesn't happen to you guys on at least a weekly basis? Hmmm....guess I'm the lucky one then!

;-)
Posted by RandalDS at 04:38 PM : Jul 31, 2007


Rock on!!
One piece of advice - if she looks like Monica, do a "tightrope walker".


Keep saying to yourself - don't look down! Don't look down!


:-)

[adian1-2009]

I would ask Mr. Sinister Cheney if the confidence of the People of the United States in Gonzales has any weight in keeping or getting rid of him as OUR Attorney General. It is clear that Cheney thinks that the confidence of the president is enough. Unless Gonzales is the attorney FOR the president and not FOR THE PEOPLE of the US, then having Bush's trust is enough for Gonzales. Cheney deserves as much credibility and trust as Gonzales, if not less.