Why don't they just cut off funding?

[edhopper]

No not for Iraq. Why doesn't Congress cut off funding to the DOJ until Gonzales resigns?

[sabbat hunter]

1. already budgeted

the DOJ budget is already set for fiscal 2007. to cut off the funding for 2008 would do FAR more harm than good.

[edhopper]

2. My feeling is

that even the threat of a funding cut would make the WH give Gonzo his pink slip.

[bryant69]

4. I don't know about that

I can see what you are saying; but you are assuming a sane response from the White House. I can see Bush saying "Screw Congress" and digging in his heels hoping that the United States will look at the fight and conclude that he's right.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[Bucky]

8. Sound prediction. And politically, it's better for us the longer Gonzo is left twisting in the wind.

Unfortunately there are other long term negative consequences to having a distracted and functionally headless Justice Department. It really will be better to have Bush find someone more acceptable to the Senate to come run that department. As long as the chaos continues, it's better for Bush to be blamed, but it would be best to not have the train wreck in the first place.

[Dr. Death]

7. Depends on your point of view

If you're a Dem politician looking to get elected in 08, maybe it is "FAR more harm than good."

On the other hand, if you're a soldier or Iraqi civilian who is going to die because of it, things probably look a little differently.

[John Q. Citizen]

3. They don't need to. The Repos are going to take out Gonzales, to save their own skins.

Not bush, but the Repos who actually have to get elected in 08.

[Bucky]

5. Not quite parallel. The funding question over Iraq is more like a hostage negotiation

"Gimme da money, Pelosi, or you'll never see dese troops again!"

The crisis with the Attorney General is more like coaching your distraught teenager out of a locked bathroom.

Seriously, tho. This is actually a pretty good suggestion, but there's basic problem with it. Congress may some day get so impatient that they'd cut off funding for troops overseas. Can you seriously see them cutting off funding the salaries for their fellow lawyers?

[edhopper]

6. My feeling is it will never come to that

This would only work with broad bi-partisan support. (That is, everyone but Hatch!) Just the threat of an overwhelming vote of this nature will bring Gonzo's resignation. The funding will never have to be actually cut.