Nowhere To Hide For Gonzales

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/03/14/opinion/courtwatch/main2567105.shtml

(CBS) Attorney Andrew Cohen analyzes legal issues for CBS News and CBSNews.com


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Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales has endured his share of criticism in the past, but nothing of the sort he now faces for his role in the burgeoning scandal over the forced White House dismissal of eight federal prosecutors.

What is different about this problem for Gonzales, compared with his past troubles anyway, is that he is forced by his current position and by the tide of events to address and resolve the matter from center stage instead of from his usual spot in the back row.

White House advisor Dan Bartlett on Tuesday called Gonzales "a stand-up guy" but I’m not sure that the Attorney General’s strongest suit is standing up and facing the music. When he faced criticism four years ago for his remarkably shoddy legal memoranda in death-row clemency cases for then-Texas Gov. George W. Bush, Gonzales already was ensconced in the White House as counsel to the President. He never had to stand in front of the cameras and try to defend his indefensible factual analysis and legal conclusions that helped lead to scores of executions.

Likewise, when the world learned about Gonzales’ role in the infamous "torture" memos that helped beget Abu Ghraib, the attorney general, still White House counsel, was able to shield himself from the full heat of public scrutiny by invoking "national security" and, of course, the ever-present "attorney-client privilege."

Again, he was able to shield himself from the worst criticism — and others took much of his deserved heat. So much so that he was nominated two years later to be the 80th attorney general in U.S. history. snip

The man and his moment finally have met. The nation’s top lawyer now faces a political judgment. He cannot hide any longer behind the White House, or legal principles, or sheer anonymity. The "stand-up" guy has to either stand up or become the "fall guy." It’s a psychodrama that even Hollywood could not make up and I cannot wait to see it unfold.

[pwb]

1. what a phony of a man

he is a little weasel. his eyes are his tell. a very small man.

[saltpoint]

2. Yesterday at that press appearance Gonzales looked like a 2nd grader

caught throwing spitballs at the clock sent to the principal's office and stammering out a series of lame-ass excuses for his behavior, absolutely none of them persuading the principal that there was a reasonable explanation for the spitballs.

The next step would be for the principal to assign him detention after school. Little Abu will have to write, 500 times on the chalkboard, I WILL NOT SUBVERT THE CAUSE OF LIBERTY IN A CONSTITUTIONAL REPUBLIC.

[deutsey]

4. A lot different than that smirking arrogance he had a few months ago

I hope he goes down in flames.

[saltpoint]

6. Exactly. Before he threw the spitballs, didn't get caught, and smirked

because he got away with it.

This time the teacher's turned around just as he was in mid-throw.

I think he's out of there by Friday.

And I'd definitely settle for Thursday.

[underpants]

5. He started off with his "core values" and even mentioned his own history

If you remember his appointment hearing (then under RW control) it was nothing but "remarkable personal story" no substance because there is none. He is W's lawyer and whenever there is trouble he advises to hire some other lawyers and then hides, as this article points out, he is a sham a complete sham.

Frank Rich very accurately described the Bush administration as an "empty spectacle" they think image and perception not only wins the news cycle but is in fact the truth.

[saltpoint]

7. Good point, and I think Rich is right-on with this administration's

perception of what's news and what's truth.

There are so many deliberate deceptions by the Bush crew that it makes my head spin.

[ellenfl]

3. i'm getting really tired of the third person 'mistakes

have been made'. using the passive form means 'it's not my fault'. these are the least 'stand up guys' that have ever lived and i find them totally disgusting.

ellen fl