Gonzales-Bush Loyalty A Two-Way Street

Washington Post Analysis: Examining The Career Of The Attorney General Upon His Resignation

(WASHINGTONPOST.COM)  This story was written by Michael A. Fletcher and R. Jeffrey Smith.

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After arriving in Washington with President Bush in 2001, Alberto Gonzales stood out for his unflappable nature and intense loyalty to the president. With what some called his willingness to interpret the law to fit his boss's priorities and his long political ties with Bush, Gonzales was among the president's closest confidants.

It is for good reason that Bush sometimes referred to Gonzales as "mi abogado" and kept him close by. In 1996, he helped then-Texas Gov. Bush avoid jury duty where he might have been forced to reveal a 20-year-old charge of driving while intoxicated, which later surfaced anyway. Dozens of Gonzales memos to Bush supported the governor's desire to implement the death penalty in Texas.

And as White House counsel and later as attorney general, Gonzales endorsed the creation of the controversial legal framework that guided the administration's war on terror, strongly backed by Vice President Cheney and legal conservatives but opposed by many scholars and partly overturned by the courts.

If Gonzales, who resigned as attorney general Monday, served Bush well over the years, the reverse is also true. Through Bush's sponsorship, Gonzales ascended to the top of the Texas legal establishment before becoming what some scholars call one of the most influential Hispanic officials in the history of United States government. Through more than six years in Washington, Gonzales was unable to expand his base of support beyond the president and his inner circle, and finally appeared to succumb to blunt attacks from Republican as well as Democratic lawmakers over his mishandling of the firings of nine U.S. attorneys.

"He had very much a one-to-one relationship with the president," said David Frum, a former Bush speechwriter. "That is where he started, and that is where he finished."

In the end, Gonzales was a man without a constituency outside of the White House. At a Senate hearing on April 19, he endured withering criticism over his professed inability to recall key events in the attorney firings, including details of a meeting on the topic with President Bush and Karl Rove. As the controversy swirled over a period of several months, conservative figures questioned both his legal competence and his ability to manage the sprawling Justice Department.

"We have never seen evidence that he has a fine legal mind, good judgment, or managerial ability," read an editorial in the conservative National Review in late March. "Nor has his conduct at any stage of this controversy gained our confidence."

The controversy over the prosecutor firings expanded in recent months to encompass other issues, all with a focus on whether lawmakers considered Gonzales trustworthy or competent to run the Justice Department.

In one key example, Gonzales repeatedly testified that the administration's warrantless surveillance program had caused no serious disagreement among Justice Department officials. But that claim was contradicted by testimony from former deputy attorney general James B. Comey and FBI Director Robert S. Mueller III.

Both described how Gonzales, then the White House counsel, visited former Attorney General John D. Ashcroft in the hospital in March 2004 after Justice lawyers had refused to reauthorize parts of the program to be illegal. Gonzales said Ashcroft was "lucid" during the visit, while Mueller described him as "feeble" and "barely articulate."

The mounting evidence prompted Gonzales to clarify his remarks about the program earlier this month.

These and other episodes led several congressional Democrats to call for perjury investigations of Gonzales. During a particularly hostile Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on July 24, Sen. Patrick J. Leahy, D-Vt., told Gonzales bluntly: "I don't trust you."

[rwassel]

This is just desserts...this was a long time coming, even most Republicons thought so. One by one, this administration and all its crooks are skulking away. It''s just a shame we can''t get the two biggest idiots to resign...oh well, at least this is a start.

Oh, and let me save all you right wingers the trouble of blogging in Gonzales'' defense...

- yes, Clinton did fire attorney''s, BUT he fired all of them, liberal and conservative, Democrat and Republican, AS SOON AS HE TOOK OFFICE.
- He didn''t discriminate, and this is what most presidents do.
- Our current idiot in chief only fired nine that were hand-picked, nine that happened to not go after Democrats hard enough, and,
- HE DID IT HALFWAY THRU HIS SECOND TERM

Hope that is simple enough for you neocons to unerstand, but, I''m sure the typical idiot bloggers will be on here soon crying foul...

[rwassel]

Oops, almost forgot the worst thing Gonzales did, what was that? Oh yes, LYING UNDER OATH! You neocons were quick to go after Clinton during your witch hunt, so just settle down, and take a little of your own meidcine.

[drummer94]

I would just bet that gonzo wishes he could fade away right now. To the next guy that I''m sure shrub will put his full faith and confidence in: Be careful which cart you hook your horse up to.

[mcv57]

Ha, Ha, Ha, the CBS news producer should be more objective in choosing what is true and what is a LIE! What reality, you have to be kidding yourself, CBS. You mean the White House Illusion. The only political mud slung was Bush. We still don''t know what the firings where about? Talk about mud in your eye.

Suggestion, CBS, don''t print stories that have no validity. We are talking about criminals in the White House who has sieze the U.S. Constituion and sold it. If anything, give Gonzalas a month, check to see if he willing to give-up Ceasar to the patriots of America. CBS, your headlines should read, "Cover-up, maybe."

[realpatriot1]

John Gotti would be proud of the White House code of loyalty and silence.

[micma-2009]

"It''s clear that it has hurt Bush to have hung on to somebody who by all accounts was clearly failing in his job."


The biggest failure of all is George Bu$h himself.

[bobnjersey]

[It may be too late to wonder how much of this could have been avoided, but it is clear when it started]

it all started in the year 2000 ... and everyone thought the problems were going to be the computers!

[mudrose-2009]

Hope that is simple enough for you neocons to unerstand, but, I''''m sure the typical idiot bloggers will be on here soon crying foul...
Posted by rwassel

Yeah, simple enough except that it is still legitimate to fire any attorneys any time. They serve at the President''s pleasure. Had Gonzales said that it would have been the end of the story, but he suffers from the say disease Bush does and that''s an inability to articulate clearly. And as far as Craig and the other homos, I didn''t realize there were so many of them in mainstream politics. I guess they are not as advanced as the Dimnos homos. They come right out of the closet and don''t give a *** who they offend. It''s high time the Repubs do likewise.

[crater7]

CROOKS HONOR:

LOYALTY TO HIS FRIENDS, ONLY LAST UNTIL THE HEAT GETS TOO HOT FOR THE CHIEF CROOK.
LETS NOT FORGET, THAT GONZO, WAS ENFORCING THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION''S POLICY.
SO GONZO (THE FRIEND) BECOMES A LIABILITY.

STAY THE COURSE.

[bobnjersey]

[They serve at the President''''s pleasure. ]
[Posted by mudrose at 09:17 AM : Aug 28, 2007]

sounds like many of the republicans are tying their service to pleasure.

[mudrose-2009]

Oops, almost forgot the worst thing Gonzales did, what was that? Oh yes, LYING UNDER OATH! You neocons were quick to go after Clinton during your witch hunt, so just settle down, and take a little of your own meidcine.
Posted by rwassel

Really, when did he do that? Just about everyone in Congress agrees that he didn''t. YOu must have the inside scoop. Right?

[micma-2009]

"They come right out of the closet and don''''t give a *** who they offend. It''''s high time the Repubs do likewise."

Posted by mudrose at 09:17 AM : Aug 28, 2007






For once I agree with mudrose. Maybe this would be a good day for him to come out of the closet.

[micma-2009]

Gonzo resigning is awsome! Now if someone would just give Bu$h a blowwjob so that we can impeach him, that would finally put an end to this long national nightmare.


mudrose would pay for the honor if he wasn''t already taking it up the azz.


Anyone else?

[mudrose-2009]

For once I agree with mudrose. Maybe this would be a good day for him to come out of the closet.
Posted by micma

Well, we''re all waiting for Hillary to first. Then you and the ole socialist hag can show us how to do it.

[micma-2009]

Gonzo resigning is awsome! Now if someone would just give Bu$h a blowwjob so that we can impeach him, that would finally put an end to this long national nightmare.


mudrose would pay for the honor if he wasn''''t already taking it up the azz.


Anyone else?


lol...this get''s funnier with each post!

[mudrose-2009]

mudrose would pay for the honor if he wasn''''t already taking it up the azz.

Anyone else?

Posted by micma

Like I said of you yesterday. It''s a pig. What you do with people like this is put them in cages likes pigs one on top of the other and let the feed off themselves. Their own c/rap will keep them feed for years.

Yeah, this gets hilarious with each post too. micma, the little **** piglet. Oinking her way into legitmacy.

[frankly6]

"For once I agree with mudrose. Maybe this would be a good day for him to come out of the closet."




micma

That''s freakin'' hilarious!

[rwassel]

mudrose -

Pretty sure he made statements that contradicted truthful statements (those are called FACTS here in the real world) made by one of his assistants.

I know in neo-con land things are backwards and hypocritical (see: Sen Craig Story), but again, here in the real world, when you say the opposite of TRUTH it is called a LIE.

See how that works, mudbutt?

[mudrose-2009]

See how that works, mudbutt?
Posted by rwassel

No weasel, er wassel, that''s not how it works. Simply because you create the suspicion does not mean your create the fact. See how that works, weasel.

[lostcountry1]

just another stinking, rotten RAT jumping from a sinking ship!

[frankly6]

rwassel

Well said. But you have to know that mudrose is paid to come here and spin monday through friday, 8-5.

[mudrose-2009]

In any event, Gonzo''s leaving spared him and the President more distraction for a Congress (at 18% ratings) less intent on doing the people''s business than seeking revenge for the loss of a chad President.

[mudrose-2009]

rwassel

Well said. But you have to know that mudrose is paid to come here and spin monday through friday, 8-5.

Posted by frankly6

Sure I am and you are Bozo the Clown. All clowns have this air of superiority when they know that the sum total of their point of view is irrelevant. Why all they can do is squirt water in your eye, or sting your hand with a buzzer when they shake it. Very much like the Judiciary Committee and it''s chair Leaky Leahy.

[bobnjersey]

[In any event, Gonzo''''s leaving spared him and the President more distraction for a Congress (at 18% ratings) less intent on doing the people''''s business than seeking revenge for the loss of a chad President. ]
[Posted by mudrose at 09:49 AM : Aug 28, 2007]

at least until next week when another example of incompetence and misrepresentation surfaces in the bush admin ... who will it be ... who will it be?

[navyretired2]

We need the president to publicly voice his support for Cheney next! *POOF* Gone!

[rushlimpdrug]

mudrose - any way you write it you are a lozzzzer.
Boozzzerrrs are lozzers.
Keep drinking, Friday is just around the corner.
and as it reads, "Reality Trumps Loyalty"

[aaabee-2009]

You bunch of loyalists, Gonzales is head of the Justice Department, for chrissake. His kind of loyalty is not heroic, his kind of loyalty has been twisted to subvert the American justice system, right out from under you people.

AMERICA IS NOT ABOUT KEEPING THOSE YOU AGREE WITH IN POWER, AMERICA IS ABOUT IS KEEPING YOUR FREEDOMS EVEN WHEN THOSE YOU DISAGREE WITH ARE IN POWER.

After 6.8 years of posts, it is very evident that too many Americans care more about keeping those they are loyal to in power than they do keeping their personal freedoms sacrosanct.

Go ahead, dress loyalty in red, white and blue.
Polish your damm loyalty to a gleaming shine with anti-liberal rhetoric.
Set loyalty on a red-checked tablecloth with apple pie and America the Beautiful playing in the background but it will never be what this country was founded on.

America stands for the freedoms of ALL Of US, not just the loyal few.

[mcvet]

In any event, Gonzo''''s leaving spared him and the President more distraction for a Congress (at 18% ratings) less intent on doing the people''''s business than seeking revenge for the loss of a chad President.
Posted by mudrose at 09:49 AM : Aug 28, 2007
+ report abuse

The 18% figure is out of date and reflects the REPUBLICAN''s in Congress. the PEOPLE elected the Democrats to get rid of this type of trash you know. But hey you fascist will grab at any straw won''t you. It''s okay I guess to live in a delusional world but to continue to defend this poor simple minded little fascist in the face of what EVERYONE can see isn''t logical or sane... well unless you have a vested interest, like you''re rich or a member of the American Taliban. Sieg Heil Bush!!

[roger_inkart]

Simply because you create the suspicion does not mean your create the fact.
Posted by mudrose at 09:39 AM : Aug 28, 2007

Tell that to Karl Rove, and he might disagree with you (well, say it without the gramatical error otherwise people might think you''re just a ***.)

The entire basis for the Iraq war was suspicions (and lies) presented as facts. Of course, the Bush administration left that critical detail out.)

[peter776-2009]

Gonzales was undoubtedly the least intelligent and most incompetent Attorney General in our nation''s history. Don''t blame Gonzales, though, blame W(anker). W(anker) likes to surround himself with half-witts because he''s one himself. White House Counsel Harriet Miers was also a 5-watt bulb. If Chertoff is nominated for AG, the pattern of dimwitts for top offices under W(anker) will merely continue. Remember, Chertoff is the guy who totally bungled the Katrina relief operation and who has publicly stated that nothing can be done about the 20 million illegal aliens already in our country. Under his watch, only 60 miles of single barrier fence along the US-Mexico border have been finished, despite Congress already having set aside funds and having authorized 600 miles of double barrier fence. Chertoff is another lame-brained do-nothing sort of guy who is in over his head (just like (W(anker) and his coterie of incompetents).

[antoniof123]

The comedy hours has lasted over 6 years in this country and it looks like we are in for about 1 1/2 years more.

[mcvet]

No weasel, er wassel, that''''s not how it works. Simply because you create the suspicion does not mean your create the fact. See how that works, weasel.
Posted by mudrose at 09:39 AM : Aug 28, 2007

Noe Mudd Butt I listened to his testimony and he LIED. There''s no way to dress up a lie.. he said as plain as it could be said that Attorney General Ashcroft "could have okayed the illigal spying program" when it was ON THE RECORD and a matter of that record that he had turned over his authority to someone ELSE. When that lie was pointed out to him he then said, "Well he could have RECLAIMED it". That to was a LIE! That move would have had to have gone through the SAME channels as the first move went through. How simple minded do you have to be to buy this trash? Sieg Heil Bush!!

It has ALWAYS, from day one of Bush''s usurpation of the presidential office, been a question of loyalty to Bush being more important to the neo-cons than loyalty to their country. The resulting fiasco and mess that the Republicans have made in this American Republic, will have repercussions for decades to come. The damage done will be like the energizer bunny, just going on and on and on into the future, and we''ll all have to pay. Bush has misconstrued cronyism to equate to patriotism. This is typical thinking for a spoiled rich-kid megalomaniac.

[aaabee-2009]

The comedy hours has lasted over 6 years in this country and it looks like we are in for about 1 1/2 years more." Posted by antoniof123 at 10:21 AM : Aug 28, 2007

You didn''t really expect the dog to be able to change its spots after all this time, did you?

No matter how many spots abandon the dog....

[aaabee-2009]

Bush has misconstrued cronyism to equate to patriotism. This is typical thinking for a spoiled rich-kid megalomaniac." Posted by allen_osuno at 10:24 AM : Aug 28, 2007

Well, just like you said, he is a spoiled rich kid. But that does not address the question of why so many other people have followed this brat for so long, straight down the tubes, and why (note the posts here) they continue to defend him as if he hasn''t made the least mistake in governing this country.

And his being a spoiled rich kid explains nothing about the thought processes of the Democrats who have rolled over when America needed them the most.

I do make allowances for the Shrub, but not for those who are NOT spoiled rich kids who follow him without question, and who are allowing a spoiled rich kid to take this great nation down by degrees. THAT I have stopped making allowances for, stopped listening to the excuses.

[salty1954]

The WORST administration ever. Drunk and delusional at best, Bush''s hope that history will show him acting correctly, will never happen.

[jn122736]

It may be too late to wonder how much of this could have been avoided, but it is clear when it started]
it all started in the year 2000 ... and everyone thought the problems were going to be the computers!
Posted by bobnjersey at 09:16 AM : Aug 28, 2007
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
bobnjersey;
Your comment reflects what may well be our major problem; apathy caused by the 2006 election results. (I assume the computers you refer to are the electronic voting machines).

That apathy is why we are no longer demanding machines with verifiable paper backup?

The 2006 elections were midterm, concerning only state and federal offices, not the presidency.

It is easier to manipulate a few computer systems in key states and/or precincts to control/switch enough votes to alter the election of one office (the presidency), and keep it secret, than it is to control 500 offices, located in 50 different states, and still not be discovered

Ironically, the very fact that the 2006 elections removed most voters concerns about these machines, may have given the manipulators the time and latitude to perfect and install their %u201CTrojan horse%u201D software to cover a wider spectrum.

Nobody in power, no matter how corrupt, appear overly concerned about later accountability.

BTW, when one can collect a few million dollars from gullible contributors they don%u2019t need to be elected, they have already won. It%u2019s called chicanery.

[aaabee-2009]

That apathy is why we are no longer demanding machines with verifiable paper backup?
Posted by jn122736 at 10:49 AM : Aug 28, 2007

For anyone interested in a return to paperless voting:

http://pol.moveon.org/paperlessvoting/

[pepperp1]

Narcissistic personality disorder is characterized by extreme focus on oneself, and is a maladaptive, rigid, and persistent condition that may cause significant distress and functional impairment


has a grandiose sense of self-importance

is preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited
success, power, brilliance


believes that he or she is "special" and unique and can only be understood by other special people

requires excessive admiration

strong sense of entitlement

takes advantage of others to achieve his or her own ends

lacks empathy


arrogant affect.

[condumism]

Southern Cons, in reality those that live under the influence of a broken Southern culture of bigotry still think that loyalty and cronyism are some sort of virtues. Fact is, loyalty is similar to the dysfunctional behavior know as codependency, while cronyism is based upon the Southern good ol boy network, also based upon bigotry. As I''ve said for years, the south either needs to secede from America, or we Yankees need to go down there and beat them into submission, same as we did 155 years ago.

[aaabee-2009]

Sorry, correction:

For anyone interested in a return to paper votes:

http://pol.moveon.org/paperlessvoting/

[donnie900]

"has a grandiose sense of self-importance"

Well, thats what teevee does to ya.

[jn122736]

Yeah, simple enough except that it is still legitimate to fire any attorneys any time. They serve at the President''''s pleasure.
Posted by mudrose at 09:17 AM : Aug 28, 2007
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
That is the most often repeated falsity about the responsibilities of U S attorneys.

It has long been the accepted practice for incoming administrations to revamp the department of justice with preferred appointees (Attorneys).

Senate approval of all appointees had always been required until this administration, with its rubberstamp congress, in a sneaky addition to the so-called patriot act, changed the rules just before firing the 8 attorneys in question.
That loathsome action has since been reversed by the 110th congress.

The DOJ is part of the administrative arm of our government. The president only heads the administrative department, he does NOT own it.

The US attorneys are confirmed by members of BOTH parties before taking office and are there to insure justice for all Americans, not just one party.

There seems to be no end to the things the PRESENT Republican Party will go to in their obvious attempt to take total control of the country away from WE THE PEOPLE.

[dodaz-2009]

That is,.. beleiving the guy was ever really "elected President"...lol...some beg to differ,... and his performance, his decisions(or lack there of),..and evidence of any real sound judgement,...makes you wonder if these "Conspiracy theorists" who think elections were stolen,...are on to somthing....Cuz this Knuckle-dragger does not seem fit to run a
7-11,... let alone , a Super power country...ah, my 2 cents..lol

[aaabee-2009]

Well, thats what teevee does to ya." Posted by donnie900 at 11:20 AM : Aug 28, 2007

Hey donnie, how is life treating you in back that computer monitor?

[nottellin1]

That is,.. beleiving the guy was ever really "elected President"...lol...some beg to differ,... and his performance, his decisions(or lack there of),..and evidence of any real sound judgement,...makes you wonder if these "Conspiracy theorists" who think elections were stolen,...are on to somthing....Cuz this Knuckle-dragger does not seem fit to run a
7-11,... let alone , a Super power country...ah, my 2 cents..lol
Posted by DODAZ at 11:50 AM : Aug 28, 2007

The only way the ''bush was never elected'' excude is valid would be between 00-04. I don''t think there was any issue with the 2004 election. Therefore, the Bush was never elected comment is a little past due.

[Syndicate]

Please enough with the stolen election ***. If Gore had won, it would have been because he stole the election. I still get mad when I think about the way he tried to disqualify all the military ballots from our troops and only wanted to recount the votes for him in a county that would "try" to figure out the voters intent. I can see it now " This voter must have sliped and voted for Bush on accident! Thats one more for Gore. Wow everyone voted for Gore" Doesn''t matter anyway. Because in Bush''s reelection he received more votes than any presidential candidate had before. I can make many arguments about Bush brillance. For example letting the Democrats have the congress just long enough to show their complete incompetance. Bush must have used those rigged ballot machines to get the Democrats Elected. I think the rest of you are not quite bright enough to see how smart Bush is. Obviously your blinded by either your hatred or your ignorance. Probably both. Have a nice day.

[oleander8]

"I don''''t think there was any issue with the 2004 election. Therefore, the Bush was never elected comment is a little past due."[Posted by nottellin1"

We in Ohio would beg to differ with your 2004 assessment.

[clestes-2009]

Bush never had the right stuff to be president. He has made a hash out of the job and we, the people, get to suffer for it.

So will our children and grandchildren. America''s time in the sun is over. There are very dark clouds on the horizon. Massive debt, broken military, stagnent economy. Immigration, healthcare, education, social security all needed overhauling and nothing happened. Those issues will still need to be addressed next term along with ending the Iraq debacle and repairing our reputation.

We will be living with Bush problems for decades to come.

[donnie900]

"Hey donnie, how is life treating you in back that computer monitor?"

Oh good.. I''m scratch''n me peckkkker.