Ironically, the Bush Administration, which may have entered the White House in the first place because of Republican-led , wanted to fire five U.S. Attorneys for not launching an investigation during the 2006 campaign season into allegations of Democratic voter fraud.
The has obtained documents that show Karl Rove may have played an instrumental role in the firing of four of the attorneys:
Of the 12 U.S. attorneys known to have been dismissed or considered forremoval last year, five were identified by Rove or other administrationofficials as working in districts that were trouble spots for voterfraud -- Kansas City, Mo; Milwaukee; New Mexico; Nevada; and Washington state. Four of the five prosecutors in those districts were dismissed.
All of these prosecutors were appointed by Republicans.
According to the , yet another Republican-appointed U.S. Attorney may have been fired for not finding evidence of Democratic voting fraud. The former U.S. Attorney, Karl "Kasey" Warner of West Virginia, admitted last week that he was given the boot for that reason. No word on whether Rove was behind this one as well.
Gonzales is definitely not off the hook! While they are at it, how about throwing a subpoena at Karl Rove?
Welcome to our live blogging event of Alberto Gonzales' testimony before the House Judiciary Committee. Join us for this live blogging event, and comment as it happens. (Start REFRESHING this page throughout the testimony):
4:15: And that concludes this hearing. I will recap it later today. Until then, we would love your comments!
4:11: Conyers asked for documents from DoJ on the 9th U.S. Attorney that was fired.
4:11: Conyers: "The bread crumbs seem to be leading to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue."
4:10: Conyers: "I am frankly disappointed that you are unable to answer" a "basic question" about "who fired these attorneys and why?"
4:09: Conyers is wrapping it up, and saying "he appreciates" Gonzales' cooperation in the hearing today.
4:08: Ellison asking Gonzales if other prosecutors would be fired if she has performance problems.
4:06: Ellison upset that he sent a letter to Gonzales and got no response. Also questioning him about firing scandal.
4:03: Keith Ellison is the last one.
4:02: Conyers cut her off, and she asked for 30 more seconds -- was granted.
4:00: Gonzales: "I don't know all the facts here." Schultz: "I have had a really hard time today figuring out what you do know."
3:59: Wasserman-Schultz is bringing up the issue of voter fraud -- being kicked off the rolls.
3:57: Debbie Wassermsn-Schultz (D-FL) is up, and she is reading from the dictionary the definition of the word "fraud."
3:56: Conyers is addressing the committee.
3:53: They are returning to the hearing room. Two committee members have yet to question Gonzales. They should begin within minutes.
3:30: The House Judiciary Committee is still at recess. The live blogging will resume as soon as they get back.
3:05: The committee is still at recess. There are only a few members of the House Judiciary Committe who have yet to cross-examine Gonzales. The hearing as a whole has been a wash, with the exception of a few committee members. We will resume as soon as they get back.
2:53: The committee is now in recess until after a vote on an intelligence bill. They will be back. A couple members of the committee have still yet to cross-examine Gonzales.
2:51: Dan Lungren is trying to insert into the record three conservative newspaper columns that noted criticisms of a few attorneys that were fired.
2:48: Gonzales: "Can I be allowed to answer the questions?"
2:47: Davis: 85% of local officials prosecuted were Democrat, 12% were Republicans. "Would it concern you" if that "kind of disparity existed."
2:46: Artur Davis (D-AL) going at it with Gonzales about whether DoJ listened to complaints from Democratic lawmakers about attorneys (suggesting a double-standard).
2:44: There will actually be 3 more witnesses. Fire bell went off for 15 seconds and interrupted things.
2:43: Canon: "To challenge the Attorney General like he has been challenged here" is unacceptable.
2:42: Schiff is going at it with Canon.
2:41: Jordan asking about "sanctuary for illegal aliens."
2:38: Jim Jordan (R-OH) is up. He is the last.
2:37: Schiff: I have worked for the department for six years, and this makes me sick. "It shows me how little respect you have" for the officials that represent the department.
2:35: Gonzales just said "I don't recall" twice in two sentences.
2:34: Adam Schiff (D-CA) is up. Gonzales just said "recollection" three times in the last 30 seconds. (Senate hearing redux)
2:31: Gohmert comparing what happened under Gonzales to what happened under Reno (Big difference though: what happened under Reno took place during the beginning of the term, and not because of their roles in ongoing investigations.)
2:29: Gohmert blaming Janet Reno for not being candid on who was responsible for firing 93 attorneys during Clinton Administration.
2:27: Louie Gohmert (R-TX) is up, and is accusing Democrats for "calling him (Gonzales) a liar."
2:25: Conyers: "Your time has run out" -- talking to Baldwin. (Again, no time for questioning.)
2:23: Baldwin: Wisconsin Republicans "actively feeding" information to the White House about U.S. Attorney in that state.
2:21: Baldwin: "I hope you have taken additional steps to refresh your memory."
2:19: Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) reading a document about firing scandal.
2:16: Steve Chabot (R-OH) is changing the subject to gun violence and illegal drug use. "I know that is a lot in one question."
2:14: Gonzales: "I am not sure that I am comfortable with answering that question" about why people were put on the list around election day of 2006. "We're not motivated by politics. We do what is best for the case." (Yeah, and who believes that?)
2:11: Gonzales: Still stands behind firing of all 8 U.S. Attorneys. But he said it was a close call on .
2:10: Brad Sherman (D-CA) "Are there any U.S. citizens being held by foreign governments" because of rendition? Gonzales: "I don't know if I have the question to that either?"
2:08: Conyers: The chair will be very strict with the rest of the time because the hearing must end before 2:30 PM ET.
2:05: Franks: "I have seen no evidence" of wrongdoing on the part of Gonzales.
2:05: Franks: "Political motivations" for DoJ are "part of our nation's survival." (Oh, okay, thanks for that really deep comment! lol)
2:03: Trent Franks (R-AZ): "I know that life has been challenging" for you "as of late."
2:01: Johnson is trying to get out of Gonzales whether Goodling had the power. Gonzales: Goodling assisted Sampson in coming up with the list.
1:58: Johnson: "I don't want you to take all my time" in answering.
1:57: Johnson: "What you have done is" given too much power to "two" under-experienced "aides ... "neither of them had any law enforcement background." (Referring to Kyle Sampson and Monica Goodling, who were responsible for coming up with the list of attorneys to fire.)
1:55: Hank Johnson (D-GA) is up...and is not leaving the attorney firing scandal.
1:54: Chris Cannon, R-Utah is up. Gonzales interrupted him, and said that the fired prosecutors "should be proud of their service." (And are you proud of your conduct?)
1:52: Keller: Alberto Gonzales did not fire Carol Lam because of her role in the Duke Cunningham scandal. (And you know that...how?)
1:50: Keller: "You have been through more pain" and "more public scrutiny" than most "people in a lifetime."
1:48: Ric Keller (R-FL): "The Administration has about 20 months left on the clock."
1:46: Alberto Gonzales: Attorney Bud Cummins wanted to leave. Cohen: "We're been through that. Mr. Cummins said" he didn't intend "to resign."
1:44: Alberto Gonzales: "I don't recall" the conversation with Kyle Sampson. Next sentence began with "I don't have a recollection."
1:43: Steve Cohen (D-TN): You don't know that the White House was not involved in the firings? Alberto Gonzales replied and said he won't speak for them.
1:40: Feeney: "There was some very sloppy work" regarding the Patriot Act authority.
1:39: Just to note: Congressman Wexler and Congresswoman Waters have had the most thorough cross-examination of Gonzales today.
1:37: Tom Feeney, R-Florida is up.
1:37: Wexler: "You know who put them on the list. But you won't tell."
1:36: Gonzales: "I haven't made any decision." Wexler: "You are the Attorney General. Do you run the Department of Justice?"
1:34: Wexler is letting Gonzales have it. Wexler: "Who did" put these prosecutors on the list? "You won't tell who put Mr. Iglesias on the list?" "Why was Mr. Iglesias put on the list by this mystery person?"
1:32: Gonzales: Attorney Robert Iglesias was put on the firing list on election day of 2006.
1:31: Robert Wexler (D-FL) is up.
1:29: Pence is changing the subject to the issue of forcing reporters to disclose their sources.
1:27: Pence: "As a public servant, I have not seen evidence of wrongdoing ... or wrong motives."
1:26: Pence: "I'd like to thank you for the candor and humility today."
1:25: Mike Pence (R-IN): "I am very grateful to you for your service to the country."
1:23: Sanchez: Who had more than "merely input" about the firing decisions?
1:22: Gonzales is diverting blame to the Deputy Attorney General.
1:20: Howard Berman (D-CA): "..the flimsiest of reasons" given to get attorneys "to resign."
1:18: Forbes: How are your balancing your time?
1:17: Forbes talking about pornography on the internet.
1:14: Randy Forbes (R-VA) is up, and attacked Congresswoman Sanchez for her tough cross-examination of Gonzales 2 hours ago.
1:13: Gonzales: "You have more bread crumbs than I do." (In the last 30 second, the words "bread crumbs" have been used four times total between Gonzales and Conyers.)
1:11: Conyers: "We have already learned that Karl Rove has contacted prominent" officials about firing New Mexico prosecutor "Iglesias."
1:09: Gonzales: "There has been some discussion" with the President regarding attorney firings. "There have been words of encouragement."
1:08: Gonzales: There is precedent for a presidential administration removing prosecutors over a "period of time." (That's not true! Clinton did it all at once. So did Bush Jr in the first term. Then Gonzales fired them sporadically.)
1:06: Gonzales: "This process has been quite liberating."
1:05: Issa: "I think you have already apologized for not having a better management system in place"
1:04: Darrell Issa (R-CA): "Are you aware of who Antonio Lopez was?" (Note: Lopez was someone that prosecutor Carol Lam did not want to prosecute.)
1:02: Gonzales: "I'm not going to otherwise comment on her comment." This is regarding the Patriot Act. (Quote of the day)
1:00: Gonzales: "I want to be careful what I say publicly" about the Patriot Act.
12:57: Bill Delahunt (D-MA) is up. That Congressman is going into the issue of the Patriot Act.
12:56: King is defending the Attorney General, and applauded for the firing. "I want to conclude by saying thank you."
12:55: Back to Waters for a second. Her questioning was clearly the best of the day. It will probably get replayed on Olbermann and the other shows. Waters was excellent.
12:53: Steve King (R-IA) is up, and open by saying that the Attorney General has been forthright today.
12:52: Waters: "Your credibility is on the line." (And with that, her time is up)
12:51: Gonzales: "I am not involved in" making the decisions regarding documents about US attorneys. ... "Those are decisions not being made by me."
12:50: Watters: "You did not look at the files of" prosecutors "that have been in the news for weeks now?" "What do you know? "What would you like to tell us today?" (SLAP!)
12:48: Gonzales: "I would not describe it as politically motivated?"
12:48: Waters: "Did you and the President meet to discuss the politically-motivated" firings?"
12:47: Waters: "So you did not see whether" they were repremanded. "Are you resisting giving us the documents."
12:48: Gonzales: "No."
12:47: Maxine Waters (D-CA): "Did you review the files?"
12:45: Goodlatte has finished his questioning, and did not ask one question about the firing scandal.
12:44: Goodlatte now onto the issue of illegal gambling. (Again, this is supposed to be a "special" oversight hearing on the prosecutor firing scandal.)
12:41: Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) is up. Promises to ask questions about other issues -- more about intellectual property laws.
12:40: Gonzales: "I don't recall when I accepted that recommendation" for McKay's departure, or if it had to do with criticisms by some Administration officials back in 2005.
12:38: Watt: "There are so many excuses advanced at different times when it's convenient."
12:37: Watt: Is it moral to fire someone for investigating a murder?
12:36: Gonzales: "I was not aware of these specific concerns within the department until recently" ... "I have not had the opportunity" to view them.
12:35: Watt: "Unfortunately, we now have evidence" that prosecutor McKay was targeted as early as March of 2005. "Are you aware of any legitimate reason that" McKay should have been forced out in 2005, as opposed to the excuse you gave for firing him in 2006?
12:33: Mel Watt (D-NC) is up, and spent 20 second apologizing to Gonzales about not being there for the first half of the hearing. (great waste of time)
12:31: Cannon to Gonzales: You had one meeting every five months with Sampson.
12:30: Cannon has been talking for four minutes, and then when Gonzales tried to speak, Cannon interupted him again and talked for 20 more second. Now hardly any time is on the clock for Cannon.
12:29: Cannon citing evidence that another prosecutor was worrying about being fired for telling the truth about the Administration's stances.
12:26: Chris Cannon (R-UT) is up, and wants to rebut a NYT article about U.S. prosecutor Yang, who resigned.
12:24: Gonzales: We have "made referrals" to the inspector general -- regarding the firings.
12:23: Jackson Lee interrupted by Conyers to tell her that she had about 40 seconds left. (Was that necessary? These committee members don't have enough time as it is.)
12:22: Jackson Lee wants investigation into abuse of prisoners in Houston, including youths. She is asking for a private meeting with Gonzales. Jackson Lee: "People are dying, and this is prevalent across America."
12:20: Sheila Jackson Lee is up. She is asking about prisoner deaths in the Houston County jail. (This is very frustrating.)
12:00: We have hit the top of the hour. The House Judiciary Committee is still at recess. They are back on the House floor conducting a number of votes, including one regarding intelligence funding for the 2008 fiscal year. We guess that they will return within the next 30 minutes.
11:30: Still at recess. While we have time, let's look at the headlines midway through the hearing. United Press International: . NBC 6 (South Florida): . The Post Chronicle: . And of Alberto Gonzales' opening statement.
11:08: They are still at recess, and could be for about 30 more minutes. Just to note, what we have been watching this morning is a display of strategic error on the part of John Conyers to not give his colleagues more time to cross-examine the Attorney General. As it stands, the Attorney General can give long-winded answers, and therefore reduce the amount of questions the committee members ask him. Four to five minutes per committee member is not enough time. Big mistake!
11:02: We will resume our live blogging once the hearing resumes. It might be awhile. Just as a matter of opinion, these committee members are only given about 4 or 5 minutes each to ask questions -- definitely not enough time to thoroughly cross-examin.
11:00: The committee is recessing for some House votes.
10:59: Gonzales: The White House "never said" to fire attorneys for political reasons.
10:57: Lungren: "Are we supposed to investigate voter fraud?" (Nice softball question. He is just defending the Administration's firing of prosecutors for their failure to prosecute Democratic Party voter fraud scandals.)
10:56: Dan Lungren (R-CA) is up, and is defending the idea that the prosecutors should carry out the policies of the President. Gonzales responds, "That would be okay."
10:54: Time ran out on Lofgen when she was in the middle of her point.
10:53: Lofgren: Doesn't it look like there was some prior plan to get rid of prosecutor Todd Graves?
10:52: Gonzales is not disputing that Graves was dismissed.
10:51: Lofgren asking about Todd Graves, who reportedly is now the ninth U.S. attorney to be fired last year. Here is more information on that firing, which was just today.
10:49: (D-CA) is up.
10:47: Gonzales: We're going to have a discussion at the U.S. attorneys regarding the issue of prosecuting illegal immigrants.
Opinion: The longer this hearing goes on, the greater respect I am gaining for the U.S. Senate, and the more respect I have lost for these House members.. These questions by the House are not direct, and Conyers made the mistake of not giving enough time per person for cross-examination.
10:43: Gallegly talking about "illegal alien" issue
10:42: Elton Gallegly (R-CA) is up.
10:41: Gonzales: "I would have to go back and look at that" -- after being asked by the Congressman whether prosecutors who were not fired were given phone calls where they were politically pressured by DoJ and WH officials.
10:39: Gonzales: "There are many instances where somebody engages" in poor conduct, and decides to leave.
10:37: Gonzales: "I have" a recollection of "Karl Rove raising" topic of voter fraud case, with regard to the attorneys that were eventually fired.
10:37: Bobby Scott (D-VA) is up. He is also avoiding the prosecutor firing scandal. He is asking a question about discrimination in the Head-Start program for education.
10:36: Cole: I see the red light is on. "So I will sit down and shut up." (Thank you!)
10:34: Gonzales: "The level of communication" at DoJ "is not very good.
10:33: Cole: "Now let's come back to the U.S. attorney situation." (Yes, let's come back to that!)
10:32: Gonzales now responding to a question about fighting intellectual property theft. (This is supposed to be a "special hearing" on the prosecutors scandal)
10:30: Howard Coble (R-NC) is up.
10:27: Gonzales: "We have been very forthcoming" on information and testimony. "Look at the record of the department." Nadler: "That doesn't answer the question."
10:26: Nadler: 67% of the American people believe the firings were for political reasons. "If the American people don't believe you in this matter, how can they have confidence" in your department?
10:24: Gerrold Nadler (D-NY) is up. Nadler: "What crimes" would have made it "reasonable to think" that Monica Goodling should plead fifth?
10:21: Republicans on this committee are attacking Congresswoman Sanchez, and are much more aggressive than Senate Judiciary Committee. One Republican is asking for Sanchez comments to be "taken down." Conyers responded, "Come on!"
10:19: Chris Cannon questioned authenticity of . (Crying liberal bias?)
10:18: Chris Cannon (R-UT) is up. He is borrowing yielded time.
10:17: Sensenbrenner still asking questions about money in Jefferson's freezer. Has nothing to do with the attorney firing scandal. (What a waste of time.)
10:15: James Sensenbrenner (R-WI) wants to know when Congressman Jefferson (a Democrat) will be prosecuted. Gonzales said he can't answer the question.
10:14: Sanchez wants to put on record because it explains the matter further.
10:11: Sanchez is doing a great job. She's explaining that a U.S. attorney was investigating a Republican. That Republican's law firm gave her more than $1 million in a signing bonus to stop working on the case, resign and work for them.
10:10: Sanchez: Are you aware that when Los Angeles prosecutor was fired that she was investigating a Republican for corruption?
10:08: Linda Sanchez is up (D-CA). "Are there any other U.S. attorneys".."that were forced out." (Sanchez might be referring to .)
10:06: Gonzales: "Clearly, it's been an unfortunate episode." (ya think?)
10:04: Gonzales: "I would not retaliate (against attorneys) for partisan political reasons." (in response to Smith's questioning)
10:03: Note that Gonzales is officially NOT under oath. I am trying to get information as to why this is the case.
10:01: Conyers: "You don't want to answer the question because you want to protect the integrity of the investigations." ... "We're cooperating. Now cooperate with us."
9:59: Gonzales took more than three sentences, and Conyers accuses him of not answering the question.
9:58: Conyers: "Tell me, just tell me how the U.S. attorney general termination list came to be...that should take about three sentences."
9:57: Conyers: how did the us attorney list come to be? We would make incredible gains if we knew that.
9:55: Gonzales: I didn't remove a prosecutor to interfere with a political case. (The facts are not on your side, buddy!)
9:54: Gonzales: "I should have been more precise when discussing this (attorney firing) matter" ... "I have never sought to mislead or deceive the American public or the Congress."
9:53: Gonzales: "I am proud of our past accomplishments in these and other areas."
9:50: Dan Lungren (R-CA) complaining about banner behind held behind Gonzales. Conyers yelling at the protester.
9:48: Smith: "Our questions would have been answered long ago" if you handed over emails.
9:46: Smith: Democrats engaging in the "criminalization of politics."
9:45: Lamar Smith of Texas is up. Remember, they are not doing cross-examination until a few more minutes. Gonzales still has to give his opening statement.
9:44: Conyers: "It makes us wonder when we will get the entire" story about these firings" ... "Former U.S. attorneys have been pressed not to cooperate with our investigations."
9:41: Conyers: The department "has placed partisan interests above performance interests."
9:40: Conyers: Your job, Gonzales, is "critical to our well-being and democracy." ... Not following the law "has ramifications" and "casts doubt" on your department.
9:37: Gonzales is seated at the table patiently while Chairman John Conyers is about to begin.
9:36: Legislators are taking an unusually long time to take their seats.
Two weeks ago, associate deputy attorney general William Moscella and deputy attorney general Paul McNulty were interviewed by congressional investigators behind closed doors. Word leaked out to that Moscella was coached by Karl Rove on March 5th, one day before testifying in front of the House Judiciary Committee about the :
Although the existence of the White Housemeeting had been previously disclosed by the Justice Department, Rove’sattendance at the strategy session was not—until both Moscella anddeputy attorney general Paul McNulty talked about it in confidentialtestimony with congressional investigators last week. Portions of theirtestimony were read to Newsweek by a Democratic aide who asked not tobe identified talking about private matters.
Accordingto McNulty’s account, Rove came late to the meeting and left early. Butwhile he was there he spoke up and echoed a point that was made by theother White House aides: The Justice Department needed to providespecific reasons why it terminated the eight prosecutors in order torebut Democratic charges that the firings were politically motivated.The point Rove and other White House officials made is “you all need toexplain what you did and why you did it,†McNulty told theinvestigators.
Theproblem, according to the Democratic aide, is that Rove and Kelleynever told Moscella about the White House’s own role in pushing to havesome U.S. attorneys fired in the first place. Moscella followed thecoaching by Rove and others—and made no mention of White Houseinvolvement in the firings during his March 6, 2007 testimony to HouseJudiciary. “They let Moscella come up here without telling him the fullstory,†said the Democratic staffer.
All of this is fairly complicating, so let me break it down a bit.
Moscelle and McNulty, the two Justice Department deputies, were coached by Karl Rove. The problem was that in the meeting Karl Rove selectively decided not to inform these deputies about the White House's involvement in the firings. In other words, these officials were hung out to dry by Mr. Rove. The White House made sure they were unprepared for their testimony.
It is the White House's job to brief other executive officials about its own role in policy before testimony is given to Congress. Unfortunately, these deputies were coached into covering Karl Rove's tracks by telling Congress that the Justice Department, not the White House, was responsible for the firings. Deceptively clever on the part of Karl Rove, if you ask me!
This is PRECISELY why the judiciary committees in both chambers of Congress want those emails from Karl Rove. Not only will the revelation of those emails force Rove to testify under oath, but they might point to Mr. Rove's involvement in the firings, which would force him to resign.
As much as my eyes roll whenever I read the Wall Street Journal's blog -- due to their repeatedly evident 'America versus Democrats' theme -- they might actually have it right on why the White House is so reluctant to fire Alberto Gonzales. While Bush might intend to show his manliness by not caving into Congress' demands, there is more to his resistance strategy than that. Remember, if Gonzales is canned, that would set the stage for yet another controversial Attorney General confirmation process.
The reveals that Democrats on the Judiciary Committee would give extra scrutiny to any Bush Attorney General nominee that is from the Gonzales school of thought:
“But who would he be replaced with?†Leahy asked. “If it’s going to beanother person who is going to be really run by the White House, and ifthe White House is continued to be allowed to interfere with thecriminal justice system throughout this country, something that affectseverybody right down to the officer on the beat, then it does no good.â€
And I am not making any excuses for the White House at all. They failed miserably when for the job, and deserve the that is now before them. But when factoring in the weight of the political pendulum, Bush has very little reason to fire Gonzales. If Gonzales is fired, then that would basically affirm the Democrats' current strategic advantage, which they would use to scrutinize the next Attorney General candidate -- assuming that Bush would nominate yet another .
Lastly, it is entirely irrelevant that Republicans on the Judiciary Committee are calling for Gonzales' ouster. If Dick Cheney were running in 2008, then maybe Bush would follow his party's demands. Though, let's face reality. Bush is a lame duck president. Most people in the White House will retire from politics when this is all over anyway. All they are concerned about is their legacy, which very sadly they still . They think that everything they do is grand, wise and will be respected by historians years from now. So no, they will not fire Gonzales. They will not change course in Iraq, either.
The Bush White House can rest assure that they have a friend who supports their decision not to fire Attorney General Alberto Gonzales. Mitt Romney, on the campaign trail in Iowa, said there is a that points to wrongdoing. Of course, there is some question as to whether Romney even watched the hearing:
"I haven't heard evidence to that effect yet. Testimony from the WhiteHouse or documents could show that to be the case," he added.
Romneyalso said he had not read the transcript of Thursday's Senate JudiciaryCommittee hearing, when Republican Sen. Tom Coburn of Oklahoma saidGonzales should resign.
Forget Tom Coburn. The most of the day, I thought, took place between Gonzales and Senator Jeff Sessions (R-AL):
"Senator, I have searched my memory," the attorney general answered."My schedule shows a meeting for 9:00 on November 27th, but I have norecollection of that meeting."
"This was not that long ago," said a puzzled Sessions. "You don't recall any of that?"
"Believe me," Gonzales repeated. "I've searched my mind about this meeting."
"Well," the senator concluded, "I guess I'm concerned about your recollection."
The Attorney General chose the Scooter Libby memory disorder defense. If Gonzales admitted that the meeting took place, it would contradict his previous statements. If he said the meeting didn't take place, congressional investigators might later on find evidence that shows otherwise. So Gonzales took the easy way out. I guess you don't mess with people that have memory disorders.
Even though I think that Alberto Gonzales will eventually resign, I could also foresee a scenario where our ethically-challenged Attorney General keeps his job under flawed logic that is all too common with this Administration. What kind of logic is that? I can think of these examples off the top of my head:
The Iraq Study recommended diplomacy -- so let's add more troops.
provided terrible service in the aftermath of hurricane Katrina -- so let's hire them to fix Walter Reed.
Our schools needs higher standards -- so let's by $40 billion.
We are adamantly concerned about loose nukes falling into the hands of terrorists -- so let's of the Nuclear Non-proliferation Agreement.
Oil firms are gouging American consumers at the pump -- so let's give those companies.
It only makes sense that, after one of the most embarrassing testimonies for any U.S. Attorney General, that the Bush Administration would give Alberto Gonzales their complete confidence. When the obvious is right in front of them, they do the opposite.
ClipsA few clips of today's Alberto Gonzales Attorney Firings Hearing. Special thanks to for posting a link to our Live Blog and for 2 of the videos. Thanks to for the others.
Today, after digging himself an even larger hole than what we thought was possible, we have this tribute for our ethically-challenged Attorney General:
Welcome to the SECOND HALF of our live blogging session during the Gonzales hearing. Feel free to comment below. Here are the up-to-the-minute headlines. Keep pressing REFRESH for updates (Note: ):
4:54: With that, we adjourn this Live Blogging Event on The Blue State. If you have a personal comment you want to send us about this site, please do so at thebluestate(AT)hotmail.com . Thanks to everyone for joining us!!! We will have more posts later today. Please bookmark our site :) We put in our best effort on this site every day.
4:51: As Gonzales stood up, the crowd sings, "Na na na na, hey hey, goodbye."
4:50: One member in the gallery yelled that 74 times Gonzales said "I don't recall."
4:48: Leahy: "This is a day that has not made me happy at all." And he smashes the gavel down.
4:48: Leahy: Giving powerful monologue about DoJ under Gonzales.
4:46: Leahy talking about the time he worked as a prosecutor for eight years.
4:44: Specter: "I'm not going to call for your resign." It's up to the president.
4:43: Specter: "We've gona as far as we can go with the questions," and "haven't gotten anywhere."
4:42: Specter: "We have not..got..answers."
4:41: Specter: "It doesn't do any good to ask anymore questions."
4:40: Specter: "There is a loss of credibility."
4:39: Specter is up. Specter: "I think your credibility has been significantly impaired" because "of the responses you've made."
4:38: Schumer: "When you answer to many questions, 'I don't know, I can't recall,'"..."the burden of proof lays" on the person that did the firing.
4:36: Schumer: You've answered "I can't recall" to almost 100 questions. Schumer asks for Gonzales to step down.
4:35: Whitehouse has completed. Schumer is back on!
4:32: Whitehouse has just a minute or two left in his questioning of Gonzales. Whitehouse is asking how Gonzales' reasons for firing attorneys correlates with the set guidelines for evaluating those attorneys.
4:26: Gonzales admits that there has been a "pronounced change" of policy under Bush (compared to Clinton) regarding who can talk to U.S. attorneys
4:25: Senator Whitehouse explained that under Clinton they had a set "structure", which is a very important "safe-guard" that controls what political leaders can have discussions with U.S. attorneys in order to minimize political influence over the judiciary.
4:22: The documents are two letters that lay out the rules for contacts with attorneys that were established under Clinton.
4:20: Senator Whitehouse is up, and he will be giving two documents to the Attorney general.
4:17: The hearing is about to resume in a few moments. Just a note: it looks like this will be the last round of questioning, and it should end within the next hour.
4:06: They are now taking a 10 minute break.
4:05: Cardin: Literature has been handed out to minority voters that has been "blatantly wrong."
4:02: Cardin now onto the voter fraud/intimidation issue, and how Democratic voters are more of a victim than Republicans. (i.e. long lines, minority voter intimidation)
3:59: Gonzales to Cardin: "I'm not sure what you mean by 'political influence.'"
3:58: Hatch praising Gonzales because he's "handled" himself "well" even though he messed up.
3:55: Sorry to be partial here, but Hatch is going nowhere. Other than to say "this was poorly handled," and that "you've taken responsibility." Let's move on to the next guy please.
3:52: Hatch: The attorneys "serve at the pleasure of the president." (As if we had not heard that enough!)
3:50: Smack-down from Feinstein!! Now it's Hatch's turn (R-UT)
3:49: Feinstein: The firings were "a shot to the gut" to these attorneys, who had previously been told that they had a positive performance record.
3:47: Feinstein: "I have a really hard time" accepting that you don't know how these U.S. attorneys got on the list.
3:46: Feinstein: "..this is so strange."
3:44: Feinstein: "Seven of the eight" attorneys "were involved in public corruption prosecutions."
3:43: Feinstein says we don't know "who selected the individuals that were on the list"..."a human being had to." (Nice!)
3:39: Feinstein time!!
3:37: Specter: "Tell us, as an attorney general, you have done" in terms of oversight that FBI complies with regard to surveillance.
3:35: Specter still talking to Gonzales about the school shooting (although he is assuming that Gonzales will be around longer).
3:32: Specter telling stories about the Virginia shooting...
3:30: Specter is up (R-PA)
3:29: Gonzales: "I don't recall the President" telling me to fire U.S. Attorneys.
3:27: Leahy: "Have you done anything to ensure that political operatives" like "Rove" don't use RNC email accounts? Gonzales replied that he didn't think so.
3:25: Gonzales: "There ought to be some effort to preserve" the emails.
3:23: Leahy: President Bush doesn't use email, does he? Gonzales: I think that is correct. (LOL)
3:22: Leahy addressing the issues regarding emails that may have included calls for Fitzgerald to be fired.
3:21: After nearly six minutes of internet gambling talk, it's now Leahy's turn.
3:18: A full three minutes so far on internet gambling. Kyl: "Do you think regulations need to be strong in this area?"
3:16: Kyl still talking about internet gambling, which has nothing to do with the U.S. Attorney firing scandal. In parliamentary terms, this is like filibustering.
3:15: Kyl completely changing the subject -- to internet gambling!!
3:14: Gonzales: "We really have limited information" about cases that are being prosecuted throughout the country.
3:12: Senator Kyl (R-AZ) is up
3:12: Whitehouse: "If you hang a U.S. attorney" to send the message to others, then "that would be improper."
3:10: Whitehouse: Taking the "president can do whatever he wants" out of the picture and replacing it with "this just wasn't right" ... "you've set the bar way low."
3:07: Gonzales: The independence of U.S. Attorneys is" .. "important."
3:06: Whitehouse: "You don't understand the damage to the structure."
3:05: Whitehouse: "Saying the President can remove people" .. "misses the point."
3:03: Senator Whitehouse (D-RI) is next, followed by Kyle (R-AZ).
3:02: Coburn: "you set leadership skils and they were".. "lacking"
3:02: Coburn: "The communication was attrocious... I believe you ought to suffer the consequences..." Coburn calls for Gonzales' "resignation."
3:01: Corburn: "This has been handled incompetently."
3:00: Gonzales: The department, under my leadership, has done great things.
2:58: Personally speaking, I'm just counting down the minutes until Kennedy goes! Should be interesting.
2:56: Coburn: "Damage" to "Justice Department" has "been significant." "Communication" between Gonzales and "bud Cummins has been terrible."
2:54: Tom Coburn (R-OK) is up.
2:53: Cardin: "don't you think your staff would make decision on the way you would ?" Gonzales replies that he would still do the same thing over again.
2:52: Gonzales: I have been very candid about "not interfering with cases."
2:49: Cardin talking about the probes that were going on when the attorneys were tossed (investigations of public officials before they were dismissed.)
2:47: Cardin pressing Gonzales on proof that attorneys weren't removed illegitimately.
2:46: Ben Cardin (D-Maryland) is up. Cardin: "you acknowledged dismissing the attorneys for political reasons would be wrong"
2:45: Gonzales says it was his ideas to evaluate U.S. Attorneys
2:42: Gonzales: We've "tried to gather up as much information as we can," to "get to the bottom of it."
2:40: Gonzales: "My statements" in the March 13th press conference "were too broad."
2:39: Grassey: We shouldn't be getting conflicting statements from the attorney general."
2:37: Grassley: "We don't have a straight story on what transpired."
2:36: Senator Grassley (R-IA) to begin.
2:34: Senators and Gonzales are taking their seats.
2:31: Okay, we're waiting for this thing to get started any minute now.
2:00: C-Span: Hearing will resume @ 2:30 PM ET
1:59: Still waiting for them to return from break. Each Senator in the committee will be given time for a second round of questioning. These questions will be much more specific. Also, expect for Democrats to use this opportunity to provide some sort of a knockout blow.
1:31: The hearing will return from recess around 2 PM ET/11 PM PT.
1:10: I will be taking a break until our Senators get back from lunch. We will continue our live blogging coverage then. If you like our coverage thus far, then we'd really like for you to bookmark The Blue State. This site is updated multiple times each day. We appreciate you joining us today!
1:05: They are still at recess. C-Span 3, at the moment, is repeating some of the coverage.
Over at Red State, a headline reads, "." (Not if you !)
12:57: Leahy: "Quit claiming the emails cannot be produced."
12:55: Leahy: The rationale that there were "performance-related reasons" behind why the attorneys were fired needs to be withdrawn.
12:52: Leahy giving prepared speech about U.S. attorney firings.
12:43: They are taking lunch break. I will add to this live blog when they return.
12:42: According to reporters, Gonzales has said the words "I can't recall" nearly 55 times.
12:41: Leahy addresses reports: "The questions were legitimate. I was disappointed by the answers."
12:40: About one minute ago, Schumer muttered to a colleague, "There are too many people to kick out" -- referring to the protesters.
12:38: crowd chants "impeach, impeach." I think Sheehan is among them.
12:38: Recess... and as Gonzales gets up, he hears it from the gallery.
12:37: Durbin: "Your conduct has made it" difficult for Justice officials to do their job (applause heard in gallery)
12:36: Alberto Gonzales just addressed himself in third person.
12:33: Durbin: "this is the highest profile attorney in the US and you can't remember the conversation to remove him"
12:32: Durbin: Your chief of staff made recommendation that Fitzgerald be fired. Gonzales denies conversation ever took place. (But wait, a few weeks ago that it took place.)
12:27: Dick Durbin (D-IL) is up, and is questioning Gonzales about alleged effort by Rove to fire Patrick Fitzgerald.
12:26: Graham: Asked if Gonzales acknowledged that he has "a credibility problem." Gonzales said he understood that.
12:23: Graham: Most of what you are saying "is a stretch," regarding your reasons for firing these attorneys.
12:21: Gonzo: "I can't say where the idea came from, but I supported the idea" -- referring to the Patriot Act loophole that allows Gonzales to appoint new attorneys without Senate confirmation.
12:20: Gonzales: "I never liked it" -- referring to the plan to remove all 93 attorneys
12:17: Senator Graham is up. (R-SC)
12:16: Round of applause for Schumer! He finished, and provided the most revealing questioning of Gonzales thus far.
12:14: Schumer: "Who is running the Department?"
12:14: Schumer: "you shouldn't be Attorney General if what you say is contradicting"
12:13: Schumer: "Did Kyle Sampson put out" the letter "on his own," or did Gonzales have a part in it?
12:12: Gonzales is getting very flustered as Schumer shows an illustration of a letter.
12:10: Schumer: "It's about getting to the truth that you had a month to prepare for"
12:09: Schumer asked Gonzales: Is it the policy of the DoJ to get Congressmen (referring to Domenici) to talk to attorneys for them?
12:08: Feinstein and Schumer are double-teaming Gonzales about his misstatement regarding Carol Lam. This is pretty big. Gonzales may have lied.
12:06: Schumer: Sampson had "contradictory statements as to what you say."
12:05: Leahy on Gonzales not remembering a meeting "we'll get back to that, you can count on it"
12:05: Schumer points out contradiction between Gonzales' statement a few minutes ago on Carol Lam and Sampson's statement weeks ago.
12:03 Senator Jeff Sessions is finished.
12:02:
11:59: Sessions supports his colleague Domenici questioning U.S. attorney Iglesias
11:57: Sessions: "I'm concerned about your recollection."
11:56: Just to note, the meeting has to do with the one with Sampson regarding the firings.
11:55: Gonzales: "but in any event, i have no recollection of that meeting"
11:54: Quote of the day! Gonzales: "I have searched my memory."
11:53: Senator Sessions (R-AL) is up. Then aterwards, Senator Schumer, Graham, and then Durbin will go.
11:52: Feingold: What Gonzales said about the process of the firings "doesn't cut it with me."
11:50: Gonzales: "I want to get to the bottom of this, Senator, just as you do."
11:49: Feingold: You had "no basis for telling the American people" in the newspaper that U.S. attorneys "lost your confidence." -- since Gonzales was not that involved in the process.
11:47: Gonzales: "I can't recall" specificity of conversations about recommendations that 7 U.S. attorneys be fired.
11:45: Feingold: "I'm trying to highlight what a problem" this scandal has been.
11:44: Gonzales to Feingold: "Sir, look at the facts here."
11:43: Feingold: "you have an obligation to tell the truth when speaking to the people or a newspaper, don't you?"
11:42: Leahy points out that over time 92-93 attorneys were replaced by Bush
11:41: We can now celebrate because Cornyn is finished!
11:39: Gonzales: "There is a lot of misinformation, or disinformation, about what happened here."
11:38: Cornyn: The House trying "to drag" other non-fired U.S. attorneys into the debate.
11:37: Gonzales: "Performance, for me, means a lot of things" -- referring to the attorneys.
11:35: Cornyn now defending Gonzales, saying that FBI has had no evidence of wrongdoing on the part of the DoJ (Of course Cornyn, that's because the FBI didn't launch a sweeping investigation of Alberto.)
11:34: Gonzales: "the attorneys don't want a formal process for evaluation"
11:32: John Cornyn is up. He expressed shame in how the investigation was conducted.
11:31: Leahy: "Let me remind you that you are here as guests of the United States Senate."
11:30: Protesters are now yelling!!
11:28: Before they begin again, reports "Glove off early in Gonzales hearing."
11:25: Okay, the Senate break should be over in a few min. As soon as it does, we will continue this live blogging session. I'd like to give a big shoutout to all the Kos viewers that are joining us.
11:21: Taking 4 min break....we will continue! I hope you are all enjoying this as much as I am! This guy is toast.
11:18: Feinstein basically cited letters that showed DoJ actually commended Carol Lam on her pefformance.
11:17: Gonzo: Lam got letters from congress (and elsewhere) but he said he wasn't awre of the letters
11:15: Gonzales: Carol Lam "was aware of the fact that we had concerns."
11:14: "Leahy: i sent you a transcript of what we are talking about so you wouldn't be surprised."
11:13: Feinstein: She is now defending Carol Lam, and talking about her positive performance record. (Note: Lam was one of the fired prosecutors)
11:11: Feinstein is clearly providing the best questioning of any senator so far. Gonzales is stumbling around.
11:09: Gonzales: I don't recall making the decision. "I made the decision." (I was for it, before I was against it.)
11:08: Feinstein: All of this has been "constant equivocation." (She is grilling him on this Patriot Act loophole issue)
11:07: Gonzales says he does not have any "recollection."
11:06: Feinstein: "Whose idea was it to change the law" regarding the Patriot Act loophole that allows him to replace attorney generals without Senate approval.
11:05: "My responsibility" is to "field complaints" and "address concerns." (oh yeah, sure, you did that!)
11:02: Hatch says to Gonzales: "I'd like to help you dispel these myths." (Well thanks, Hatch, for your partiality!!!)
11:00: Gonzales: "I don't spend as much time as I used to at the White House."
10:59: Hatch threw another softball, by asking Gonzales if anyone was fired for the wrong reason? Hatch, remember, is a GOP Senator from Utah.
10:58: Senator Hatch now bashing Democrats, and threw a softball question at Gonzales regarding whether we should govern based on polls. This is an obvious shot at Democratic Senator Kohl.
10:57: Leahy mad that signs are being held up in the hearing room.
10:56: Gonzo: "as soon as i feel i haven't done my job, then i will resign"
10:56: Alberto Gonzales says he is trying to educate the American public about what happened.
10:55: Kohl: "the point still is that the majority of Americans belive it was political and you should be fired"
10:54: Gonzo: on why he should keep his job: "I look back at what we've accomplished" ..""dept has not been mis-managed"
10:53: Gonzo: Criticizing the Justice Department hurts career professionals at DoJ
10:52: Kohl: "can you explain why you should remain in this office"
10:52: Kohl: 67% of americans belive atty's were fired for political reasons and Gonzo should be fired.
10:51: Kohl is describing the AG's job description.
10:49: Gonzo diverting blame to Kyle Sampson regarding why one attorney was on the firing list, and then removed from list.
10:48: Kohl is asking why one U.S. attorney, who was almost fired, was taken off the list? In other words, how can he be distinguished from those that were fired?
10:46: Senator Kohl is up (D-WI)
10:45: Gonzo had concerns about McKay's judgment, which was why he was fired. (note: McKay was the attorney from Seattle)
10:44: Gonzo: Bud Cummins not qualified
10:40: Brownback is letting Gonzales ramble like crazy without interrupting him. This is pathetic.
10:38: Gonzo: Bogden was the closest call, concerned about his commitment.
10:37: Brownback: "why were these attorneys chosen" and going down the list
10:35: Kennedy now getting to Gonzo. "who who who," Kennedy interrupted Gonzales regarding discussions of who Gonzo talked to.
10:32: Kennedy: "Did you speak with any of the attorneys that were replaced?" Gonzales said he spoke to one.
10:30: "Nothing improper happened here" with regard to the firings. -- Gonzales
10:29: Kennedy: "you said 'my decision is justified and should stand', w/o knowledge of their qualifications, how can you make that decision?"
10:28 "How can you know none of them were removed for improper reasons?" -- Kennedy
10:23: Your testimony is "adverse with the facts," Specter said of Gonzo.
10:22: So you all know, they are showing this on CNN too.
10:22: This is as if a kid was sent to the Principal's office. Gonzo is stuttering and is being told off.
10:20: gonzo: "i don't want to core with you" Specter: "i don't want you to either"
10:19: "You didn't understand that there was a process going on?" Specter asked.
10:18: Specter is eating him alive regarding the Bud Cummins firing.
10:16: Specter says if we talk about your preparation, you aren't going to win the debate. wow!!
10:15: Man, they are giving it to Gonzales!!! Specter: "Were you prepared for your press conference?"
10:11: The feed is now up. here we go.
10:08: Sorry everyone. We are now trying to find an additional feeds, since C-Span is abandoning its pledge to air the testimony.
10:04: Now no tv network is covering it... we're waiting until they go back
10:00: "I have been extremely forthcoming." -- Gonzales
9:57: Gonzales: "I failed to tell the truth"
9:56: Your behavior "has hurt the department..your ability to lead the department" is in question -- Jeff Sessions said of Gonzales
9:53: Schumer is now letting him hear it! shumer: i hope we keep it to a minimum of "i don't recall"
9:50: This hearing "is more important than your confirmation hearing," said Specter of Gonzales. -- Specter
9:48: "This is not a game of gotcha. We want the facts." -- Specter
9:47: Specter basically saying that he won't judge Gonzales until after he speaks.
9:44: "We appreciate your status as a role model," Arlen Specter just said of Gonzales.
9:42: Leahy told him "it ain't looking pretty for you."
9:41: The Administration engaged in "Katrina-style cronyism" with regard to the law. -- Leahy
(9:37) Leahy says the phrase "performance-related" should not be used again.
(9:36) "The Department is facing a crisis.." -- Leahy
uncovered another issue to add to Attorneygate: adult pornography
April 19, 2007 | Facing a torrent of criticism that the Department of Justicehas been tainted by partisan politics, Alberto Gonzales is poised for thedefense argument of his life. The attorney general must explain to Congress anaccumulation of embarrassing partisan e-mails and inaccurate statements by topBush officials, which have helped transform the quiet firing of eight U.S.attorneys last year into an explosive Washington scandal.
Gonzales will be grilled about alleged Republican meddling on issues fromcorruption to cronyism, widely documented in the four months since the purge.But a Salon investigation has uncovered another partisan issue dirtying the scandal: adult pornography.
. I'm keeping this post to a minimum to get readyfor the live blogging of the Gonzales hearing will be hosting at 9:30 AM EST / 6:30 AM EST.
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