Attorney general doesn't satisfy critics

[rodeodance]

Source: AP




Attorney general doesn't satisfy critics

By LAURIE KELLMAN, Associated Press Writer 1 minute ago

WASHINGTON - Attorney General Alberto Gonzales came to Capitol Hill with only one mission: to placate Republican and Democratic senators dissatisfied with his account of how eight federal prosecutors were fired.

Apparently, he failed. For the first time, Republicans on the Judiciary Committee broke ranks and said it might be best if Gonzales stepped down.

"It is generous to say the attorney general's communications about this matter have been inconsistent," Sen. Tom Coburn (news, bio, voting record), R-Okla., told Gonzales in a packed hearing room Thursday. "The consequence should be the resignation of the attorney general."

Sen. Jeff Sessions (news, bio, voting record), R-Ala., said in an interview after the hearing, "There are some problems that he just hasn't handled well, and it might just be best if he came to a conclusion that the department is better served if he's not there.".........

Read more: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=post&forum=102

[rodeodance]

1. Protesters at the back of the room sang a rock tune

Democrats, many of whom have called for Gonzales' resignation, widely ridiculed his answers. But some of the sharpest criticism came from Republicans.

Sen. John Cornyn (news, bio, voting record) of Texas, like Gonzales a close Bush ally, called the handling of the firings "deplorable."

Sen. Lindsey Graham (news, bio, voting record) of South Carolina called most of Gonzales' explanations "a stretch."

"It's clear to me that some of these people just had personality conflicts with people in your office or the White House and (they) just made up reasons to fire them," Graham said. "You have a tremendous credibility problem with the American people and the Congress."

At the end, Gonzales shook hands with the senators remaining in the room and strode out, ignoring reporters' questions. Protesters at the back of the room sang a rock tune popular with sports fans when a rival basketball player fouls out of a game: "Hey, hey, hey, goodbye."

[Xipe Totec]

2. Can you fix the link, please?

[saltpoint]

3. With no Republicans rising to Gonzales' defense, it feels to me as if he'll

be gone soon.

Republicans LOVE to rise to the defense of crappy public servants, and they wouldn't miss any chance to do so.

But in this instance the choir is mighty quiet.

[IADEMO2004]

4. 7th in presidential line of succession and can't remember a thing

Not good enough.

[Kali]

5. satisfy critics? hell he didn't even pass for supporters did he?