I found this interesting. Gonzales getting pummeled at a Senate hearing on his involvement in the U.S. Attorney scandals, by none other than Republican Arlen Specter. Granted Specter is really more of an independent or a Democrat at this point, he’s a traditional Republican in the truest sense, which shows you how far to the right the Republicans have gone.
Gonzales is trying to defend his position that charges members of the Bush Administration for leaning on numerous U.S. attorneys to act in the interest of political campaigns, including to drum up investigations against Democrats and to pull attorneys working on rape and murder cases to satisfy an illegal immigration Republican running in Southern California.
This is abuse of power if I’ve ever seen it. It is not unethical to fire attorneys because they are not doing their jobs, but to fire them because they are not helping Republicans get elected is not just a misuse of government resources, it sets a frightening precedent. If they use the U.S. attorneys for strictly partisan political ends, then how else will they use the law to further their cause? Where will it end?
___
Then the verdict came in from the media, Congress 1 – Gonzo 0.
Then the monday morning quarterbacking began. GOP support is fading and fading fast.
__
Looks like bedtime for Gonzo. The president still pledges support, telling Gonzales to hang on, but even the defiant and strategically naive president can’t save the fate of the Attorney General. His days are numbered, and everyone knows it.
Bush doesn’t like being told what to do, and so, Gonzales will suddenly feel the need to spend more time with his family, and site the vicious attacks of Democrats as a source of stress to his beloved wife and kids, or he’ll be reassigned to a quiet place outside of the main fray. Either way, we’re looking at a new Attorney General by the end of this lame duck presidency. Otherwise, this could contribute to the possibilities of a new president by the end of this lame duck session.
___
Maybe even sooner than previously thought. The situation for Gonzales is growing dire. Republicans, who have already openly told Gonzales to step down are now expected to reaffirm their belief that his departure is the right thing for the country. What they really mean is that the more defiant Gonzales is, the longer the story drags on, not to mention that the President’s name is now being included in some of the testimony.
___
But of course, the realm of politics boils down to power in the end, and having the President show support in the face of what has been called a disastrous performance on the hill, is a powerful ally. Bush even said he has more confidence in Gonzo since the ugly verbal massacre in Congress.
Does America have confidence in Gonzo? Does America have confidence in Bush? Even more interesting, does Bush’s own father have confidence in Bush? Bush Sr. seems to believe that Bush fatique is setting in.
___
Time Magazine posted an article about the new conflict over Gonzo.
Democrats intend to put the Bush Administrations feet to the fire for their lack of common sense (normally in politics, once you’ve been shown to be a moron, you’re finished, not Bush. They just keep on sticking to thier hardline till the walls come tumbling down). House hearings of Gonzo are coming up, which are expected to be even more brutal, and the Dems, coming of the spectacular performance of Gonzo in the Senate, can’t wait to get their hands on him again.
Bush and his cronies are just laughing it up, seeming to believe that Congress can’t do anything about it. It’s sad, since that this seems to be nothing but a game to the failing president. Think nothing of the fact his attorney general is a disgrace who either had no clue that politically motivated abuses of power happened beneath his nose, or was in on the whole deal. The same could be said of many Bush department heads, including Bush himself. The uncanny ability to forget things when unethical and potentially criminal actions are found. Just like Reagan.
Haven’t we had enough of this nonsense?