vt.Buzz ~ a political blog

Political notes from Free Press staff writers Terri Hallenbeck, Sam Hemingway and Nancy Remsen

8.27.2007

Gonzales gone

Attorney General Alberto Gonzales resigned this morning. Here's a bit from the AP on it:

WASHINGTON (AP) — Alberto Gonzales, the nation’s first Hispanic attorney
general, announced his resignation Monday — ending a nasty, monthslong standoff
over his honesty and competence at the helm of the Justice Department.

Republicans and Democrats alike had demanded his resignation over the
botched handling of FBI terror investigations and the firings of U.S. attorneys,
but President Bush had defiantly stood by his Texas friend until accepting his
resignation Friday.

“It has been one of my greatest privileges to lead the Department of
Justice,” Gonzales said, announcing his resignation effective Sept. 17 in a
terse statement. He took no questions.

Gonzales had become quite the nemesis of Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., who was quoted today as saying of him: The Justice Department under Gonzales “suffered a severe crisis of leadership that allowed our justice system to be corrupted by political influence.”

Rep. Peter Welch, D-Vt., credited Leahy and the congressional inquiry with holding Gonzales responsible. He said:

"Alberto Gonzales will go down in history as one of the nation's worst Attorneys
General. His legacy will be one of reckless politicization of the Justice
Department, lying to Congress, and undermining our nation's cherished civil
liberties. Vigorous congressional oversight, particularly under the
principled leadership of Senator Patrick Leahy, is holding this Administration
accountable and producing results."

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who offered only muted support for the attorney general when some Republicans called for Gonzales’ resignation, blamed the troubles on Democrats, the AP said. “It is my hope that whomever President Bush selects as the next attorney general, he or she is not subjected to the same poisonous partisanship that we’ve sadly grown accustomed to over the past eight months,” McConnell, R-Ky., said in a statement.

Does Gonzales' departure restore the credibility Leahy argues was damaged? Does his departure make it any more likely we will hear the whole story of how U.S. attorneys were fired?

- Terri Hallenbeck

posted by vt.Buzz | 11:16 AM |

Comments:

“It is my hope that whomever President Bush selects as the next attorney general, he or she is not a corrupt moron like we've sadly had to grow accustomed to over the past few years,” average thinking humans said in a statement.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 12:07 PM, August 27, 2007

LOL judgedan!

that's way too much to hope for. Bush wouldn't think of selecting anyone other than a corrupt moron for this job!

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 12:09 PM, August 27, 2007

Let me see - Janet Reno and her pervert boss fired 93 attorneys...Bush fired 8. Way to go, Leahy - this ought to help get your picture in the paper, mavbe even another bit part in some movie produced by your Hollywood buddies.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 12:19 PM, August 27, 2007

Even Senate Republicans were saying that Gonzalez needed to go.

There was wide bi-partisan support for his dismissal.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 12:54 PM, August 27, 2007

There was definately bi-partisan support for this.

"The resignation today of Attorney General Alberto Gonzales comes well after the American people had lost confidence in his ability to continue serving in his capacity as head of the Justice Department," said Sen. Olympia Snowe, R-Me. "His decision to step down is appropriate, necessary and I believe in the best interest of our nation."

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 1:03 PM, August 27, 2007

Sen. John E. Sununu (R-NH), first Republican to call for ouster: "If I were the president, I would fire the attorney general"

Sen. Gordon Smith (R-OR): ouster "would be helpful"

Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK), member of the Senate Judiciary Committee: told Gonzales at hearing that "the best way to put this behind us is your resignation"; had earlier described affair as "idiocy"

Sen. John McCain (R-AZ): "very disappointed in his performance", "it would be best for Gonzales to quit"

Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL), member of Senate Judiciary Committee: "If he and the President decide that he cannot be an effective leader moving forward, then he should resign."

Sen. Norm Coleman (R-MN): "deeply concerned"

Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA), ranking Republican on Senate Judiciary Committee: called failure to step down "bad for the Justice Department"

Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-NE): "lost the moral authority to lead"

Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA): "the president should have an attorney general who is less a personal friend and more professional in his approach"
Rep. Paul Gillmor (R-OH): "lightning rod"

Rep. Vern Ehlers (R-MI): "he's hurt the President by what he's doing ... he's damaged himself and the President"

Rep. Jon Porter (R-NV): "egregiously mishandled," "we need to restore confidence"

Rep. Lee Terry (R-NE): "I trusted him before, but I can't now"

Rep. Adam Putnam (R-FL), House Republican Conference Chairman, 1st top House Republican to call for ouster: "time for fresh leadership"

Even Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), admits, "some things ... just don't add up"

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 1:07 PM, August 27, 2007

Hey everyone: All I can add to my blog anymore are video clips of stuff I think is ultra-cool, so forget about any actual posts. The future is me posting clips and maybe a few stories about how I had to sort my life out. If you have me bookmarked, you might want to delete the link.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 1:32 PM, August 27, 2007

"Gonzales had become quite the nemesis of Sen. Patrick Leahy..."

I'd think "punching bag" would be closer to the mark.

# Posted by:

jvwalt | 1:47 PM, August 27, 2007

Senator Leahy: End the war, then we'll talk.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 2:06 PM, August 27, 2007

Um, Leahy isn't the Commander in Chief. If you expect him to end the war, you're going to have to wait a long time.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 2:57 PM, August 27, 2007

Hell will freeze over before Leaky Leahy occupies the White House

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 7:05 PM, August 27, 2007

Does anyone remember Janet Reno? All she did was immolate men, women, and children (learned from Hitler),at Waco, execute an innocent women and her baby at Ruby Ridge, send a young boy (Elian Gonzalez) back to the Cuban hell, and in her spare time stonewalled all investigations of the numerous Clinton crooks like Cisneros, Ron Brown, Whitewater, Travelgate, ad nauseum? Of course she never fired a leftist US attorney, so all is well with numbskull Leahy.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 7:15 PM, August 27, 2007

Oh, really? Disgraceful? Maybe you can tell me what the difference was between Reno's actions at Waco and the Nazi's storming the Warsaw ghettos during WWII.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 8:07 PM, August 27, 2007

If Leahy can't be more forceful regarding Iraq, he's worthless...and so is Bernie. Why is it that no one expects anything from these men? The old Bernie would be standing on his desk screaming about the war. Now he's Mr. Collequiality. It's bull. He's always been correct that Washington needs to be changed. It's needs it now more than ever.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 8:41 PM, August 27, 2007

It's asinine to blame Leahy for this war.

This is Bush's war. He's the one in charge. He's the one that pushed us in to this quagmire.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 9:51 PM, August 27, 2007

Bubba does not know his history.

He's just not interested in knowing what the Hitler did or why.

He's made anti-semetic comments on this blog before.

I'm glad he's back. He's an articulate voice of the Republican jackholes who have run this country into the ground.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 9:52 PM, August 27, 2007

There's no such word as "collequiality."

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 10:58 PM, August 27, 2007

Unbelievable that anyone would equate the raid on Waco with Hitler.

Of course, if a Republican had conducted the raid at Waco, Bubba would be singing its praises.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 11:01 PM, August 27, 2007

We could equate Regan's sins in Grenada with what Hitler did.

We could equate GHW Bush's sins in Panama with what Hitler did.

We could equate Nixion's sins in Cambodia with what Hitler did.

But there was only one Hitler ... and even though these US Presidents have inflicted a lot of damage to a lot of innocent civilians ... what Hitler did was worse.

But today, is about Gonzalez. He's a liar. Republicans and Democrats agree. He's a liar. He's a liar. He's a liar.

Even Janet Reno can't change that.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 11:34 PM, August 27, 2007

Who cares whose war it is? Anyone else tired of R's fighting D's while people die? Leahy, Sanders and Welch need to represent us and makes some waves about the war.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 5:48 AM, August 28, 2007

Bubba? Where have you been? I missed you in Minneapolis.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 8:46 AM, August 28, 2007

Anyone else think it's funny that Larry Craig is too nasty to be the Chair of Mit Romney's Campaign, but it's okay for him to keep serving in the Senate?

Ha! Great irony!

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 9:58 AM, August 28, 2007

Foley!
Vitter!
Craig!
Haggard!

Family Values -- GOP Style.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 10:03 AM, August 28, 2007

Frank!
Studds!
Foley! (the other one)
Jefferson! (the congressman)
Lippert!
Shumlin!
The Clintons!

Family values-dim style!

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 11:23 AM, August 28, 2007

Only in Bubba's world is it okay to over look Larry Craig's actions, but accuse Bill Lippert of being less than upstanding and moral.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 11:49 AM, August 28, 2007

Ever notice that it's the most anti-gay "pro family values" guys who turn out to have the strongest homosexual feelings?

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 12:07 PM, August 28, 2007

That definition fits Bubba to a tee. He's got way too much homophobia not to have entertained the idea of coming out himself. C'mon Bubba, we're here for you. Don't be afraid. Ted Haggard wasn't.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 1:13 PM, August 28, 2007

Larry Craig is a piece of garbage and will be gotten rid of by Idaho and the Republicans. Democrats, on the other hand, make similar members chairmen of committees. (i.e., Barney Frank)

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 2:42 PM, August 28, 2007

Barney Frank is honest about who he is. He's proud of who he is.

Too bad that Senator Craig and Bubba feel the need to torture themselves and abuse others.

Life doesn't have to be like that, Bubba.

It's okay to be honest.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 2:45 PM, August 28, 2007

"Frank!
Studds!
Foley! (the other one)
Jefferson! (the congressman)
Lippert!
Shumlin!"

Ther's a difference, Bubba. Yes, some of the above (not all) are of questionable character or had moral lapses. I don't like all of them. But none of them preached "family values," like our Republican friends, and then went off and had gay sex.

And I don't think Lippert should be on your list. He's never been dishonest about who he is. He never had sex with a page. He never hid money in his freezer. I assume you include him on your list because you just don't like gay people, and that's not ok in my book.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 3:33 PM, August 28, 2007

I dislike Lippert because he doesn't give a damn about protecting children from pedophiles. And he is a coward who has to hide behind womens' skirts when questioned by a FOX reporter. It's as simple as that!

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 4:32 PM, August 28, 2007

The accusation that "he doesn't give a damn about protecting children from pedophiles" is a blatant lie. You don't think for yourself. You just repeat the message that O'Reilly beams into your head. You're a robot.

Second, he didn't hide behind women's skirts. He was responding to the reporter (who ambushed him) when other House members rushed to the scene. He didn't call for anyone's help.

By the way, your reference to hiding behind women's skirts shows that you are a sexist pig.

Moron.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 7:21 PM, August 28, 2007

I agree with that.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 7:21 AM, August 29, 2007

Can we get Leahy to open up an investigation into Shumlin? We really need to see him go.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 8:02 AM, August 29, 2007

Shumlin, Symington and Campbell all have to go!!

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 8:07 AM, August 29, 2007

While you are at it, let's replace Gov. Douglas!

He has shown no leadership, no vision, no compassion. He speaks one way, but his actions go the other way - much of it following the Rove playbook - via Gibbs, Lunderville and formerly with "Pee Wee" Barnett.

Governor Douglas and his staff have become the most polarizing force in the statehouse - it's actually funny to watch the GOP supporters try to lay ALL the blame on Shumlin and Symington.

It's too bad that Gov Douglas could not be more like former Gov Dick Snelling. Dick Snelling was above politics - and dealt with the issues as needed. Gov Snelling was not afraid to show real leadership.

Governor Jim Douglas, Mike Smith, Jason Gibbs, Neale Lunderville, and Rob Roper don't really care about Vermont. It's all about the GOP Party - period!

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 8:42 AM, August 29, 2007

Douglas, Smith, Gibbs, Lunderville, Barnett, etc,

These guys are all posers who would never survive politically outside the sheltered confines of Vermont. Why? Because they don't have an original idea among them and they have no kahonas. They play defense all the time. Wait for the Dems to introduce an idea and then shred it for political gain. Their day is coming hopefully. Be fun watching them try to find gainful employment after sucking the taxpayers' teet for so long.

Smith is probably the only one who could find a job. There's a casting call for a Wizard of Oz Broadway show and they're looking for munchkins.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 8:56 AM, August 29, 2007

That's a terrible thing to say about munchkins.

They look far more dignified than Smith ever could.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 9:09 AM, August 29, 2007

Sounds like a bunch of whining losers still bitter about losing make-work government "energy jobs"! Poor babies, might have to get a real job in private industry!

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 10:39 AM, August 29, 2007

Terri: please provide a translator for Bubba's posts. S/he is a bit erratic.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 11:07 AM, August 29, 2007

Bubba, I make a great living in private industry in Vermont. Work hard. Put myself through college in Vermont, all by working in private industry. What do you do for work?

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 11:45 AM, August 29, 2007

Who cares about bubba. Let's get to work impeaching Shumlin.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 12:50 PM, August 29, 2007

Impeach Douglas!

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 1:28 PM, August 29, 2007

Impeach Shumlin!

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 6:39 PM, August 29, 2007

Impeach Shumlin. After all, we can thank him for wasting all that time on impeachment this year. What the hell is the ballot box for, when you can just start impeaching people. Impeach Shumlin!!

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 6:40 PM, August 29, 2007

Get rid of Symington and Campbell!

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 10:06 PM, August 29, 2007

"Governor Douglas and his staff have become the most polarizing force in the statehouse - it's actually funny to watch the GOP supporters try to lay ALL the blame on Shumlin and Symington. "

Give me an f-ing break. Most polarizing force? Who's the "polarizing" retard who invited Al "check out my house with the $30k per year electric bill" to televangelize in Vermont in favor af a global warming bill he knew absolutely nothing about?

Polarizing Shumlin, that's who.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 10:51 PM, August 29, 2007

Jim Douglas has never worked a day in the private sector - he really knows nothing about jobs - hence, the reason why we have lost high paying jobs - and gained on low paying service jobs.

Jim Douglas has averaged a 10% increase in pay per year since taking office in 2003.

How many Vermonters can say that?

I say it's time for a change - we need new blood in the Governor's office.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 12:02 PM, August 30, 2007

It's a crime that Douglas earns $150,000 per year. He's in the top 10 nationwide, in terms of pay to the governor. I s*%t you not. In his giant, pasty inflated head, he probably thinks he deserves every penny.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 3:14 PM, August 30, 2007

There probably is no Governor in the U.S. that has to put up with the idiots that Jim Douglas has to. He has probably saved Vermont 10 times his salary alone just by his vetos of the bills passed by the morons in Montpelier this year alone!

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 6:40 PM, August 30, 2007

"hence, the reason why we have lost high paying jobs - "

It is fair to criticize the Governor. But it is not fair to blame him for the business climate in this state.

Why do you blame only the Governor for the loss of high-paying jobs in this state? Do you think the the hysterically anti-business Legislature under Symington and Shumlin has had absolutely nothing to do with the miserable business climate in this state?

I don't believe the Governor can make this state an attractive place to do business when the Legislature does everything it can to undermine that.

A little more honest perspective, and a little less partisanship and sloganeering, please.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 6:45 PM, August 30, 2007

Hey! Speak for yourself. I say bring on the sloganeering. Nothing wrong with the partisanship either. Yours is the dry opinion I could do without.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 8:41 PM, August 30, 2007

Wrong. There IS something very wrong with partisanship, on either side. It's completely counterproductive to anything.

So you're in favor of sloganeering and partisanship against the Governor. Are you equally in favor of sloganeering and partisanship against Symington and Shumlin?

Why? Where does partisanship and sloganeering on either side get us? Except further hatred for our "enemies" when we should be trying to work with them to find solutions.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 1:06 AM, August 31, 2007

Your approach is so warm and fuzzy, it reminds me of a little bunny. What universe do you live in? As much as you want Vermont to be America's last remaining Shangri-La, the times they are a changin'. Blame Tarrant for opening the floodgates.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 9:11 AM, August 31, 2007

Or, blame Bernie for opening the floodgates to cynical partisan politics in Vermont. I'd call him one of the most cynical, the ends-justify-the-means politicians I've ever seen. Let's not forget how many offices he ran for after moving to Vermont in the late 60s, and how many parties he's affiliated himself with in pursuit of office over time. Let's not forget how he beat perfectly good liberal Republican Pete Smith in 1990 to gain the state's Congressional seat -- by blatantly appealing to the NRA and accusing Pete Smith as being for gun control. Oh, how awful!

I'll go to my grave opposing mindless partisanship. Yeah, Douglas engages in it. But guess what? Vermont is controlled by the Left. It has nothing whatsoever to fear from Douglas. There's no reason to emulate national-style politics. But the Vermont Dems have now embraced partisan attacks as their modus operandi, too. And Vt. Democrats engaging in partisan attacks because "the other side does" is just not the road to follow. There's absolutely no need for it when you're 100% secure in your dominance of the political structure of the state. Do they need the Governor's office so badly that they're willing to do anything and say anything?

Sorry, you may not like Douglas, but he is not the devil that the Dem party machine in this state paints him as.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 7:43 PM, August 31, 2007