Conservatives to Bush: Fire Gonzales

[habitual]

Source: TIME

In what could prove an embarrassing new setback for embattled Attorney General Alberto Gonzales on the eve of his testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee, a group of influential conservatives and longtime Bush supporters has written a letter to the White House to call for his resignation.

The two-page letter, written on stationery of the American Freedom Agenda, a recently formed body designed to promote conservative legal principles, is blunt. Addressed to both Bush and Gonzales, it goes well beyond the U.S. attorneys controversy and details other alleged failings by Gonzales. "Mr. Gonzales has presided over an unprecedented crippling of the Constitution's time-honored checks and balances," it declares. "He has brought rule of law into disrepute, and debased honesty as the coin of the realm." Alluding to ongoing scandal, it notes: "He has engendered the suspicion that partisan politics trumps evenhanded law enforcement in the Department of Justice."

The letter concludes by saying, "Attorney General Gonzales has proven an unsuitable steward of the law and should resign for the good of the country... The President should accept the resignation, and set a standard to which the wise and honest might repair in nominating a successor..." It is the first public demand by a group of conservatives for Gonzales' firing. Signatories to the letter include Bruce Fein, a former senior official in the Reagan Justice Department, who has worked frequently with current Administration and the Republican National Committee to promote Bush's court nominees; David Keene, chairman of the influential American Conservative Union, one of the nation's oldest and largest grassroots conservative groups, Richard Viguerie, a well-known GOP direct mail expert and fundraiser, Bob Barr, the former Republican congressman from Georgia and free speech advocate, as well as John Whitehead, head of the Rutherford Institute, a conservative non-forit active in fighting for what it calls religious freedoms.

Fein, speaking for the signatories, told TIME that Gonzales' planned testimony to Congress tomorrow, the text of which has been released by the Justice Department, was a "terrible disappointment" that left unanswered key questions on which his job may now depend. "Gonzales testimony before the Judiciary Committee resorts to a truly Clintonesque defense of his own previous false statements," says Fein. "In fact," he says, "Gonzales' latest declarations really do call into question the forthrightness and honesty indispensable for America's chief law enforcement officer."

Read more: http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1610738,00.html

---

Gonzo is Toast, this is HUGE!!!

[SpiralHawk]

1. "Corrupt is cool, but getting caught is uncool." - republicon cronies

"Fire Gonzo's caught butt, and let us get on with looting the US Treasury, and loading
up the bureaucracy with True Believing christofascist drones."

- republicon cronies

[yardwork]

26. Exactly. The chickens are coming home to roost.

What did these fine conservatives think would happen??! They've put Bush where he is, and now suddenly they're shocked - shocked! - that "partisan politics" is trumping the rule of law.

[Lerkfish]

53. just what I was going to say, wtf? NOW they are concerned about it once they get caught?

they seemd perfectly happy with it the last several years.

the friggin hypocrits.

[HereSince1628]

2. Gonzales must go, but firing him is like pushing pus from a carbuncle.

The real infection lies in a much deeper core. How does one remove the source of a problem that is the guiding philosophy of the Cheney* administration?




*credit where credit is due. Cheney is the puppeteer and W. is a sock puppet much enjoying Cheney's fist up his arse.

[bluestateguy]

7. Agreed

And guess who gets to appoint the replacement? Bush!

I won't be doing cartwheels when Gonzo resigns. It's not like we'll suddenly have a good person in that job.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

13. Amazing. It makes me wistful for ashcroft.

I cannot believe I just typed that, nor that I believe it.

[wake.up.america]

50. I agree.. Gonzo is nothing more than an replaceable extension of Cheney .

[saigon68]

12. Yikes

[MessiahRp]

3. I don't see how they don't fire Gonzales now

I get the feeling that they feel firing him would somehow be enough to get Democrats off the idea of going after those emails. Like it's some sort of political compromise.

I say no! Get every email from 2001-present that you can. The Presidential Records Act is a law that must be upheld. Not to mention I believe that those emails contain details on the 2004 election scam, memos about how to lie about the war, etc, etc...

I get the feeling that they don't want us reading those emails not because of this US Atty scandal, that's small potatoes, but rather because it is the smoking gun and link to every criminal action that they would be impeached and then prosecuted for.

Rp

[EST]

6. Right on target!

[eagleswing963]

32. Simple, Bush still thinks Congress kisses hit ass!

NOT!!!

This drunken spolied frat boy is not used to people who are not nose deep in his butt.

He is still drunk (literally and figuratively) from his 6 years of undisputed power.

Impeach his ass.

[Skittles]

45. I think it is more than that

Gonzo's got something on his old buddy Dubya - Gonzo knows something

[femrap]

40. Just think of the stuff about the

'04 Election! There have to be emails about stealing the '04. Why aren't we subpoenaing SoS of Ohio, Blackwell's emails?

And where is Ralston? Rove's asst? She must know a ton of shit.

The '06 Election was about SUBPOENA POWER! Now that we have it, let's use it.

[WiseButAngrySara]

4. Debased honesty and crippled the Constitution! If that's not

the truth.

KNR

[EST]

5. Leave it to these trashy excuses for human beings to take

a swipe at someone arguably more honest and honorable than they by calling anything "clintonesque."

I think calling Speedy's so-called testimony "typically republican" is far more descriptive and accurate.

[Ex Lion Tamer]

8. Finally, a sign of healthy conservatism?

This is incredible language: "Mr. Gonzales has presided over an unprecedented crippling of the Constitution's time-honored checks and balances," it declares. "He has brought rule of law into disrepute, and debased honesty as the coin of the realm." Alluding to ongoing scandal, it notes: "He has engendered the suspicion that partisan politics trumps evenhanded law enforcement in the Department of Justice."

I've been amazed for a number of years now that Republicans--the party of supposed "smaller" government and mistrustful of government powers--have fallen for the Bush cult of personality that has turned out to be exactly the opposite of what the party is supposed to be about. "Conservatism" is on its way to becoming another word for "totalitarianism."

Hopefully, this portends a return to rationality.

Of course, I'm not holding my breath.

[EFerrari]

9. The group calls itself The American Freedom Agenda

and Mr. Orwell rolls again.

[watrwefitinfor]

11. A sign that they are really pissed

that Gonzo didn't cover Bushco's collective arse any better than he did.
See, now everyone sees the emperor has no clothes, and it's Gonzo's fault.
Heads are gonna roll, I tell ya.

Wat

(Edit for the spell-checker. Dammit.)

[ClintonTyree]

27. See post #3....

there is no honor among these thieves. It's a definite CYA move meant to take the spotlight off this administration's more serious crimes. The day you find an honest, ethical conservative is the day they'll be playing ice hockey in hell.

[Skittles]

46. nothing healthy about it

torture was OK but now this is not OK? conservatives SUCK SUCK SUCK

[bdamomma]

10. I hope Gonsalves pulls * down with him.

[starroute]

14. Bruce Fein, Bob Barr, David Keene, Richard Viguerie

Those are the named principals. I can't say I have strongly positive feelings about any of them -- but they're not Neocons and they're not loyal Bushies, and their site suggests they genuinely do care about the constitution.

They're Goldwater conservatives, more or less. Viguerie and Keene were involved in some fairly dubious stuff back in the Cold War days of the 70's and 80's, and Keene was willing to deal with DeLay during the period of DeLay's ascendancy. Barr was really nasty during the Clinton years.

But within their own parameters, they recognize the need for a principled conservatism that can survive the trainwreck of the Bush administration, and they're working overtime to lay the groundwork for just that. On that basis, I see no reason to question their sincerity.

[EVDebs]

36. Bob Barr, a former CIA officer...

Maybe he can tell us exactly why Porter Goss is out. We know why Dusty Foggo is.

Congress, FOLLOW THE MONEY. Don't do an el foldo like the Wright Patman banking cmte did after Watergate. STAY ON THE TRAIL !!!

[tanyev]

37. Richard Viguerie helped create this monster. Quote from 2000:

Right-wing direct mail guru Richard Viguerie declared, "Conservatives are thrilled that Bush, a centrist, establishment Republican, has selected a solid conservative to balance the ticket." He went on to address Bush's strategy to keep both the right- and moderate- wings of the party on board: "Dick Cheney looks like 'them'(establishment republicans) but he sounds like (and is) one of 'us' - a principled conservative."
http://www.pfaw.org/pfaw/general/default.aspx?oid=3296

He should have been more careful what he wished for.

[PegDAC]

42. OMFG

Bush, a centrist, establishment Republican

:puke: :eyes:

Who does Viguerie think he's kidding?

[femrap]

41. I think these guys realize that W and the

neocons have ruined the Repugnant Party....for years and years and years. They're trying to save it. Lotsa luck, assholes.

[Le Taz Hot]

55. We said that after Watergate

and 6 years later . . . Reagan who started this whole mess.

[napi21]

52. I've heard Bruce Fein speak very unfavorably against Shrub, Cheney & Gonzo

on several different panels aired on cspan in the past year or so. Most of the time Bruce reminds me of a little whiny mouse, buthe IS a very good Constitutional lawyer.

Having this group against you isn't a very good spot to be in!

[peacetalksforall]

56. I don't quite agree. We have seen the members of this troup

in action before and now thy march in lock-step to protect the President from impeachment. They want Republican rule - they don't want a near impeachment for Nixon and a real impeachment for Bush or Cheney.

Make Gonzales look like the criminal. Make Bush appear honest and a defender of the Constitution.

This troup is perfect to make the case that the crime will be contained if Gonzales can be removed.

They expect and will probably succeed in getting a certain number of people to ignore the fact that blame always goes up when the campaigns of crimes go on for years. Bush found Gonzales to be the perfectly loyal to do the bidding of PNAC (torture), DOD (justifying war crimes, NSC (spying), RNC (judges) and so on.

Does anyone really want us to believe that Gonzales came up with all this on his own?

I see it as a set-up and campaign for now. A nice try.

I am now off to find out (sometime today) if Fein or Barr or Whitehead of any other lawyers in their association are members of the Federalist Society. That will say something about their concern for the Constituion.

[drm604]

15. Am I being cynical

if I say that these guys are simply scapegoating Gonzo for carrying out their plans?

[ejbr]

17. a post after my own heart n/t

[wake.up.america]

51. No, you are not. I also believe Bush is afraid Gonzo will sing unless Gonzo gets what he ...

wants from Bush.

[ejbr]

16. Gonzales is to Bush as Libby is to Cheney,

the fall guy. The guy who was following orders. Granted, as AG, he is responsible for telling Bush to fuck off, but to have anyone believe that Gonzo is the one who thought up all or ANY of his transgressions is smoking something.
:smoke:

Nice letter, but they should have just forcefully told Bush to cut the shit without ever mentioning Gonzo. If Bush took the letter seriously, he would let Gonzo go.
:hurts:

[thereismore]

18. self-deleted

[madrchsod]

19. here is the website

http://www.americanfreedomagenda.org/
American Freedom Agenda

[donkeyotay]

20. I saw some of these guys on C-Span. They're paleoconservatives

and pretty upset with the neocons, which makes them an ally in this fight. However, they conclude their letter thusly:

"Attorney General Gonzales has proven an unsuitable steward of the law and should resign for the good of the country... The President should accept the resignation, and set a standard to which the wise and honest might repair in nominating a successor..."

Perhaps they overestimate the president and his junta. "Wise and honest" seems like a moonshot.

Abu is a disgrace, but he's only a symptom.

[superconnected]

21. I like what they wrote in the letter, even though I wouldn't trust

them to actually carry out what they said - honesty and uphold the constitution, etc.

The letter will help though.

Gonzales is out, I'm sure of that.

[ooglymoogly]

22. Traslation....Gonzales has blown our cover. nt

[YDogg]

23. Clintonesque? How about Bushesque or Cheneyesque??

[ClintonTyree]

29. Oh, that they WERE "Clintonesque".

Clinton did absolutely nothing wrong with the exception of lying about a blow job. I only WISH our country had those problems now! The Reich-Wingers think every American still buys all that horse shit about Clinton's "crimes". Funny, in spite of Clinton's many "crimes" he was never as hated as the current occupant of the White House. Bush WISHES he had the support Clinton enjoyed during his entire Presidency.

[eagleswing963]

34. Reminds me of a bumper sticker

That read

"Somebody give Bush a blow job so we can impeach him!!"

[rateyes]

24. In other words,

fire Gonzales, and perhaps you'll be able to save yourself. These conservatives should be demanding the resignation of Gonzales, Cheney, Rice and Bush (among others).

[paparush]

25. More of that Pesky R E A L I T Y for Bush to deal with.

Hey, Neocons, meet my friends Reality and Accountability.

[ClintonTyree]

28. I'm sure Bush will listen to every word they say....

and then quickly dismiss them. BUSH is the decider, and for him to take the advice of anyone else and fire Gonzo now would make him look weak. No siree..... Bush still has all the confidence in the world in Gonzo. He's a true American patriot :sarcasm: and SURE future recipient if the Medal of Freedom. :puke:

Unless of course Gonzo steps down to "spend more time with his family". That would get Bush off the hook and keep his manliness in tact. :puke: :puke:

[EVDebs]

35. To end it all gracefully, he'd have to

do as the bumper sticker said : At Least Nixon Had The Dignity To Resign

[jazzjunkysue]

47. Wow. At least Nixon had the dignity to resign. That's it, right there.

The ultimate * bumper sticker.

[Demeter]

30. Bush Will Refuse; And He'll Be That Much Closer to Impeachment

It's our very own Republican Passion Play, as Bush makes all the Stations of the Cross.

No blasphemy intended.

[Amonester]

31. AWOL King George Bu$che's answer to the American Freedom Agenda:

Haven't these idiots noticed their deceiver doesn't care about them (and anyone) yet? :shrug:

[EVDebs]

33. Unless he resigns FAST we're about to find out just WHO these "others" are at CIA and in Congress...

"It's all part of a growing ongoing investigation into corruption in defense and intelligence contracts, which already has sent former Rep. Randy “Duke” Cunningham to prison and, legal sources say, may threaten others in Congress and the CIA. "

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12634250 /

Bush fired Lam in order to obstruct justice and stop her investigation(s) and these GOPers who've partaken of the CIA/GOP largesse are now about to be exposed in what will become known as the Mother Of All Scandals.

[svpadgham]

38. I doubt

* even knows what half of the words in the letter mean.

[Jacobin]

39. Wow. The real conservatives woke up.....finally

(I dispute the assertion that BushCo is a 'conservative' organization. I believe they are simply fascists and have almost none of the hallmarks of traditional conservatives)

[EVDebs]

48. Sooo true. Paul Craig Roberts has been on *'s case since Day 1 nt

And Kevin Phillips knew the score years ago.

[Stinky The Clown]

43. John Whitehead is one of the funders of the Paula Jones boost

This fucker ....... his mug should be on a Wanted Poster.



Funny how he purports to be some holy pro-life activist, but he got his biggest fame from sniffing the crotch of our last elected president. I wonder if he and Ken Starr were ever roomates.

[EVDebs]

49. *'s entire presidency can be called Operation Bunged Up

And that's being charitable.

[peacetalksforall]

57. He's the one who 'arranged' and/or paid for surgery, makeover, and a

round-the-clock public relations expert for Paula Jones.

[Handsome Pete]

44. Rats. Sinking ship.

G'bye, Alberto (you poop).

[Lerkfish]

54. more like "no honor among thieves"