View Full Version : Alberto Gonzales Resigns
Alberto Gonzales has resigned (http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/27/washington/27cnd-gonzales.html?_r=1&hp=&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&adxnnlx=1188224053-cbPr+ddLzoqE0mqOJQSk0Q).
Embattled Attorney General Resigns
https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v489/Lemurmania/24gonzales-2-600.jpg
By STEVEN LEE MYERS
Published: August 27, 2007
WACO, Tex., Aug. 27 — Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales, whose tenure has been marred by controversy and accusations of perjury before Congress, has resigned. A senior administration official said he would announce the decision later this morning in Washington.
Mr. Gonzales, who had rebuffed calls for his resignation, submitted his to President Bush by telephone on Friday, the official said. His decision was not immediately announced, the official added, until after the president invited him and his wife to lunch at his ranch near here.
Mr. Bush has not yet chosen a replacement but will not leave the position open long, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because the resignation had not yet been made public.
Mr. Bush had repeatedly stood by Mr. Gonzales, an old friend and colleague from Texas, even as Mr. Gonzales faced increasing scrutiny for his leadership of the Justice Department, over issues including his role in the dismissals of nine United States attorneys late last year and whether he testified truthfully about the National Security Agency’s surveillance programs.
Earlier this month, at a news conference, Mr. Bush dismissed accusations that Mr. Gonzales had stonewalled or misled a congressional inquiry. “We’re watching a political exercise,” Mr. Bush said. “I mean, this is a man who has testified, he’s sent thousands of papers up there. There’s no proof of wrong.”
Mr. Gonzales’s resignation is the latest in a series of high-level departures that has reshaped the end of Mr. Bush’s second term. Karl Rove, another of Mr. Bush’s close circle of aides from Texas, stepped down two weeks ago.
The official who disclosed the resignation today said that the decision was Mr. Gonzales’s and that the president accepted it grudgingly. At the same time, the official acknowledged that the turmoil over Mr. Gonzales had made his continuing as attorney general difficult.
“The unfair treatment that he’s been on the receiving end of has been a distraction for the department,” the official said.
As recently as Sunday afternoon, Mr. Gonzales was denying through his press spokesman, Brian Roehrkasse, that he intended to leave.
Mr. Roehrkasse said Sunday afternoon that he had telephoned Mr. Gonzales about the reports circulating in Washington that a resignation was imminent, “and he said it wasn’t true, so I don’t know what more I can say.”
White House spokesmen also insisted on Sunday that they did not believe that Mr. Gonzales was planning to resign. Aides to senior members of the Senate Judiciary Committee said over the weekend that they had received no suggestion from the administration that Mr. Gonzales intended to resign.
Senator Charles Schumer, the New York Democrat who sits on the committee and has been calling for Mr. Gonzales’s resignation for months, said this morning: “It has been a long and difficult struggle, but at last the attorney general has done the right thing and stepped down. For the previous six months, the Justice Department has been virtually nonfunctional, and desperately needs new leadership.”
Senator Schumer said that “Democrats will not obstruct or impede a nominee who we are confident will put the rule of law above political considerations.”
Boy at least the democratic majority can hang there hat on this, as they havent been able to achieve much of anything else.
Hopefully more dirt gets out about this guy, the attorney firings dont bother me, thats presidential choice, all of them do it.
But the NSA spying thing is ugly, and thats where they should be hanging these guys. I guess the end justifies the means, rummy is gone, and so is this quack, but there is real opportunity to hang criminal charges on these clowns.
Dems dont seem to want to go down that route though (at least they havent yet with rove, rummy and this clown) here is hoping they persue real charges for criminal activity.
A resignation is a victory, but not a decisive one.
Can't say that's too surprising. As AG, Gonzales seemed an inept buffoon. His mismanagement turned what should have been non-issues into major scandals. Maybe they'll actually find someone competent to replace him.
On a side note, I suspect this would have been the same sort of incompetence we would've seen from a Justice Miers had she been appointed instead of the eminently more qualified Roberts. It's great to be loyal to your friends, but that shouldn't extend to appointing borderline sycophants to high offices.
Can't say that's too surprising. As AG, Gonzales seemed an inept buffoon. His mismanagement turned what should have been non-issues into major scandals. Maybe they'll actually find someone competent to replace him.
On a side note, I suspect this would have been the same sort of incompetence we would've seen from a Justice Miers had she been appointed instead of the eminently more qualified Roberts. It's great to be loyal to your friends, but that shouldn't extend to appointing borderline sycophants to high offices.
Hopefully the new AG has at least read the Constitution... ~:cheers:
I thought the air smelled a little better around here this morning. ~D
Seamus Fermanagh
08-27-2007, 16:34
Hopefully the new AG has at least read the Constitution... ~:cheers:
I thought the air smelled a little better around here this morning. ~D
A return to strict constitutionalism would involve a LOT more resignations....
Hurin_Rules
08-27-2007, 16:51
Can't say that's too surprising. As AG, Gonzales seemed an inept buffoon. His mismanagement turned what should have been non-issues into major scandals. Maybe they'll actually find someone competent to replace him.
On that, we can all agree.
Ser Clegane
08-27-2007, 16:52
Long time no see, Hurin.
Welcome back ~:cheers:
Word from CNN is that Chertoff may be the next AG:
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/
Senior admin. officials: Chertoff likely to get nod
Chertoff is likely to be nominated to succeed Gonzales.
WASHINGTON (CNN) — President Bush will likely nominate Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff to replace Alberto Gonzales as Attorney General, senior administration officials told CNN Monday.
Chertoff, 53, previously sat on the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which handles appeals from New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania and the Virgin Islands.
Before becoming a judge, he was assistant attorney general in the Department of Justice's criminal division from 2001 to 2003.
Chertoff received his law degree from Harvard University and was a law clerk to Supreme Court Justice William H. Brennan Jr. in 1979 and 1980. He first stepped into a prosecutorial role as an assistant U.S. attorney in the Southern District of New York from 1983 to 1987.
From there, he moved to the District of New Jersey and was assistant U.S. attorney from 1987 to 1990 and U.S. attorney until 1994.
Between 1994 and 1996, Chertoff was counsel to the GOP Whitewater committee investigating the business dealings of President Clinton and first lady Hillary Clinton, who is now New York's junior senator and a candidate for president of the United States.
An independent counsel later determined that the Whitewater investigation did not uncover sufficient evidence to warrant any criminal charges against the Clintons.
As a senator, Mrs. Clinton cast the only vote against Chertoff when he was nominated for the appeals court in 2003.
At least he seems qualified for the job. I wonder who would be shuffled into the HSD spot?
At least he seems qualified for the job.
Given the stellar records of Gonzales, and Ashcroft he certainly cant be much worse. He has the legal credentials but he has been a horrible secretary of Homeland Security.
Come to think of it, there havent been many cabinet level people in the current Bush admin who I would consider are good at thier jobs, its just been one mess after another.
Sure put him in there, lets just get to the finish line already with this admin.
Lord Winter
08-27-2007, 17:54
A Homeland secuirty guy as AG in an administration known for their aggressive, Homeland security tacits? :sweatdrop:
KafirChobee
08-27-2007, 21:11
About time!
As for who will replace Gonzo?
http://www.whitehouse.org/news/2007/07/harriet-miers-contempt-of-congress.asp
Who better than Harriet? :wall:
Though Chertoff is my second fave. :skull:
http://www.whitehouse.org/ask/michael-chertoffs-gut.asp
Whom ever it is, ought to be worth more than a few chuckles.
Looks like we're getting Paul Clement (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070827/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/gonzales_clement), for now at least. Can't say I know much about the guy- but I'm sure we'll all be learning more about him than we ever wanted to before long. :book:
Thankfully, it wasn't Chertoff. :yes:
Clement is a Wisconsinite, so I guess he'll be okay. Easily bribed with cheese, however.
Tribesman
08-27-2007, 21:53
Oh well , another rat jumps ship .:shrug:
KukriKhan
08-28-2007, 04:01
Word from CNN is that Chertoff may be the next AG:
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/
Senior admin. officials: Chertoff likely to get nod
Chertoff is likely to be nominated to succeed Gonzales.
WASHINGTON (CNN) — President Bush will likely nominate Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff to replace Alberto Gonzales as Attorney General, senior administration officials told CNN Monday.
Chertoff, 53, previously sat on the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which handles appeals from New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania and the Virgin Islands.
Before becoming a judge, he was assistant attorney general in the Department of Justice's criminal division from 2001 to 2003.
Chertoff received his law degree from Harvard University and was a law clerk to Supreme Court Justice William H. Brennan Jr. in 1979 and 1980. He first stepped into a prosecutorial role as an assistant U.S. attorney in the Southern District of New York from 1983 to 1987.
From there, he moved to the District of New Jersey and was assistant U.S. attorney from 1987 to 1990 and U.S. attorney until 1994.
Between 1994 and 1996, Chertoff was counsel to the GOP Whitewater committee investigating the business dealings of President Clinton and first lady Hillary Clinton, who is now New York's junior senator and a candidate for president of the United States.
An independent counsel later determined that the Whitewater investigation did not uncover sufficient evidence to warrant any criminal charges against the Clintons.
As a senator, Mrs. Clinton cast the only vote against Chertoff when he was nominated for the appeals court in 2003.
At least he seems qualified for the job. I wonder who would be shuffled into the HSD spot?
Chertoff = fine choice :rolleyes:. That should take up September, October AND November with "Who shot John?" hearings re-hashing the Hurricane Katrina response/non-response. Then Christmas, then the January Primaries, then the Superbowl. Shoot, TV viewing is set 'til Valentines Day! :2thumbsup:
So, who remains of the original gang? Condi, she of Teflon reputation, so far. One wonders if she will stay the course.
All kidding aside, we enter now, I think, the most dangerous time of a/this US administration: troops under fire in foreign lands for causes ethereal, an economy teetering, a recalcitrant legislature, plummeting polls, and a tangible deadline to establish an honorable historical legacy.
All this in an environment of 'executive priviledge', pre-emptive action, authorization to use force whenever and wherever necessary, and so on, and on.
Let's hope the events of the next 16 months don't prompt rash actions on the part of our chief exec.
KafirChobee
08-28-2007, 05:28
Amen, Kukrikhan.
:elephant: :hourglass: :toilet:
With luck we may get out of this President's term alive. Well, one can hope. :sweatdrop:
Chertoff = fine choice :rolleyes:. That should take up September, October AND November with "Who shot John?" hearings re-hashing the Hurricane Katrina response/non-response. Then Christmas, then the January Primaries, then the Superbowl. Shoot, TV viewing is set 'til Valentines Day! :2thumbsup:
Well, I didn't say he was a fine choice, but he is probably more qualified for the position than Fredo was, and is completely out of his realm currently. Why Chertoff got slotted into HS is beyond me, ideally that seat should belong to an ex-general.
Regardless of who it is, the Dems in the Senate are going to grill the next appointee hard. Actually do their job for a change. :rolleyes:
KukriKhan
08-29-2007, 02:29
Well, I didn't say he was a fine choice, but he is probably more qualified for the position than Fredo was, and is completely out of his realm currently. Why Chertoff got slotted into HS is beyond me, ideally that seat should belong to an ex-general.
Agreed. The more we look at the people GW put into position in 2001, the more we see that the single most important job qualification seems to have been: loyalty - and precious little else.
And this whole exercise might be instructive to 2008 voters, who'll be considering whom to pick to take GW's place; amongst the other things we look at, we ought to review how well the candidate handles personnel affairs - does he/she hire well? And: once appointed SecDef, AG, SecState, etc, do those folks become the peoples' SecDef, AG, SecState? Or are they expected to simply be presidential employees, loyal to POTUS personally?
Regardless of who it is, the Dems in the Senate are going to grill the next appointee hard. Actually do their job for a change. :rolleyes:
I expect so too.
Spetulhu
08-29-2007, 14:33
I don't think Alberto Gonzales was appointed Attorney General because of loyalty. Check his initials. Shrub hoped people would think AG twice the AG that anyone else could be. :laugh4:
Instead of starting a new thread, I'll stick this one in with it's creator/facilitator:
Shameless power grab by one branch of the government from another! (http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2007/09/06/ap4089011.html)
Judge Strikes Down Part of Patriot Act
By LARRY NEUMEISTER
NEW YORK -
A federal judge struck down parts of the revised USA Patriot Act on Thursday, saying investigators must have a court's approval before they can order Internet providers to turn over records without telling customers.
U.S. District Judge Victor Marrero said the government orders must be subject to meaningful judicial review and that the recently rewritten Patriot Act "offends the fundamental constitutional principles of checks and balances and separation of powers."
Let's see if this survives the Supremes...
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