Monday, August 27, 2007

What They're Really Saying: Reaction To Attorney General's Resignation

As you may guess, there's been a wide variety of commentary about Alberto Gonzalez's decision to step down. Here are a few of the comments from the usual host of suspects:



Statement:


"He has exhibited a lack of candor with Congress and the American people and a disdain for the rule of law and our constitutional system. I strongly urge President Bush to nominate a new attorney general who will respect our laws and restore the integrity of the office."—Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass.


Translation:

Unlike Democrats, he lied. I strongly urge the President to appoint someone that I approve of, because I am Ted Kennedy. I am smart enough, good enough, and doggone it, people in Massachusetts keep re-electing me.



Statement:


"Alberto Gonzales was never the right man for this job. He lacked independence, he lacked judgment, and he lacked the spine to say no to Karl Rove. This resignation is not the end of the story. Congress must get to the bottom of this mess and follow the facts where they lead, into the White House."—Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev.


Translation:


I don't like him, I never liked him. He didn't stand for what I thought he should stand for. Now, Congress must waste more taxpayer dollars, trying to dig up more dirt that we can pin on the President.



Statement:


"Attorney General Gonzales' ability to lead the Department of Justice had been undermined by his serious errors in judgment and conflicting statements. I am hopeful that the President will name a strong successor who will begin to restore confidence in the department."—Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine.


Translation:

I am running for re-election in a blue state, so I must distance myself from anything Bush stands for (in order to have any chance, of winning).



Statement:


"It has been a long and difficult struggle but at last, the attorney general has done the right thing and stepped down. ...We Democrats implore you (Bush) to work with us. Don't choose the path of confrontation and throw down the gauntlet we are willing to meet you in the middle of the road. All we ask is that you choose somebody who puts the rule of law first. we're not looking for confrontation here." - Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y.


Translation:

We implore the President to appoint someone that I approve of or it'll be a cold day in Hell before he gets any nominee, past me.




8 comments:

Anonymous said...

How ironic for Harry Reid, the biggest wimp among a group of wimps, to accuse someone else (in his trademarked high-pitched voice) of having no backbone. Seriously - is that on audio somewhere? I need a good laugh today.

I personally liked Gonazales for having the backbone to stand up to terrorist defenders and push the envelope in the fight against the islamic supremacists. It was inevitable he was going to ruffle a lot of left-wing feathers, and frankly I'm surprised he lasted so long.

If I were GWB, I would just decline to appoint anyone. The deputy can be acting AG until the end of the presidency. That way the Senate doesn't get the chance to run some highly-accomplished lawyer or judge over the coals for the pleasure of a one-year appointment.

Anonymous said...

Speaking of Gonzo, here's a great piece on one of the legal battles he waged with al Qaeda. Not surprisingly, many of Gonzo's detractors also side with this al-Qaeda-linked group that is attacking terrorist surveillance itself. In other words, the idea of the lawsuit is to completely shut down surveillance of foreign terrorists on US soil. Got this from LGF. It's a good read....

http://www.zombietime.com/al-haramain_surveillance/

Anonymous said...

I just got this info from Mary-Ellen's blog:

"The acting attorney general with be Solicitor General Paul Clement. He "can stay in that position for quite a while," a senior administration official said.... An administration official explained: An individual may serve in an acting capacity for 210 days. However, if there is a pending nominee, the 210 day "clock" starts again when a nominee is announced. The 210 day "clock" would restart again if the nominee is voted down. The clock stops when there's a nominee, and restarts with a new 210 days if the nomination is withdrawn or fails."

LA Sunset said...

Greg,

Sounds like a pretty good strategy from a political perspective. But get ready. The Dems will likely start complaining about how the country deserves a permanent AG, and so on. They may even look to discredit Clement, during this time.

"Calling all hacks, calling all hacks, we have an emergency. Need dirt on Clements ASAP. Over."

Woody said...

I heard a report that some Democrats and media were proposing that special prosecutor Pat Fitzgerald be appointed A.G. I'm still waiting for him to admit that he found no crime committed in the phony Valerie Plame matter. Although he knew that immediately, he kept asking questions until he could at least get something on someone. Yeah, that's what America needs.

I've got a better idea. Let's get Janet Reno back! A mom legally brought her daughter here from Cuba, but the mom became sick so the dad wants the girl back in Cuba, so bring out the storm troopers and send her back to hell. Then we can go burn out some religious groups.

LA Sunset said...

Woody,

//I heard a report that some Democrats and media were proposing that special prosecutor Pat Fitzgerald be appointed A.G.//

Wanting something is one thing, getting it is another. they always want there way. By now you'd think they'd resign themselves, to the fact that they won't get what they want.

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