Comments (72)

Arkansan wrote on March 10, 2007 12:17 PM:

"The attorney general assured the senators he will "get to the bottom of what occurred and to ensure that process is used appropriately," Kyl said."

As if Gonzales didn’t know (shucks, slaps face). This is all a charade to these men, if Gonzales licks some boots and shows the senate the respect they deserve the rest will be forgiven. The integrity of government and public interest be damned.

JohnW wrote on March 10, 2007 12:36 PM:

Don't ever trust a member of the Bush gang. If I have learned anything about these people its to ignore what they say, and watch what they do.

Anonymous wrote on March 10, 2007 12:54 PM:

Gonzales is the ultimate yes man as are all those who serve the Bushmasters who tolerate only yes men like Libby who will throw themselves on their swords to save their masters if need be.
The Cheneys, Rummys, Gates, et al, got to where they were by being yes men to begin with.
When they get caught? Lie, stonewall, dodge and weave. Gotta nail their feet to the floor to get anywhere with them.

Richard L. Adlof wrote on March 10, 2007 1:03 PM:

Senato Ensign welcome to the pain that the rest of the country has been feeling for six years.

little peanut wrote on March 10, 2007 1:06 PM:

I'm not sure what the investigations will achieve if the fired USAs don't GET THEIR JOBS BACK.

Other than pointing out another stumble-step embarrassment for the Bush Ad., who ultimately won't care one way or the other, so what?

The only clearly, effective way to make their blunder stick is to DEMAND that all of the USAs be reinstated.

sagakaki wrote on March 10, 2007 1:08 PM:

The Bush administration has a stunted moral development. If something is legal or if they can justify to themselves if it is legal, then they consider it RIGHT. If there is some power that is possible for them to claim, then it is RIGHT for them to claim it.

Even the Republicans are waking up to this fact.

POD wrote on March 10, 2007 1:10 PM:

Noise machine. Anybody who believes in these 'enraged' republican senators, I have some prime real estate here in my pocket. Specter has set the bar for 'enraged' republicans who do nothing but whatever the admin wants.

Richard Hall wrote on March 10, 2007 1:15 PM:

Can we all say "UNDER OATH"? I think each of us demand that, as all these Democratic investigations proceed, that there is no more testifying without being sworn ala Republican fake investigations.

global yokel wrote on March 10, 2007 1:19 PM:

The fundamental problem is that we are being governed by a bunch of people who don't believe in government.

JML wrote on March 10, 2007 1:20 PM:

I'm waiting for the day when Gonzales responds to a summons from a Democratic senator.

John wrote on March 10, 2007 1:36 PM:

All of this has happened whilr the republicans controlled government.

Dennis wrote on March 10, 2007 1:55 PM:

"The integrity of government and public interest be damned. Posted by: Arkansan"

I agree, and political party makes no difference.

Deny as they may, congressional members can say all they want about not being persuaded by political contributions, but when the chips are down, or all in or whatever, the one with the most money wins the influence of the Congress.

I've often said that this reality is what we ought to teach in our public schools rather than the usual sanitized verson of how our government works.

You don't have to be a blind conservative not to see it, just an ignorant one to deny it.

Ron Byers wrote on March 10, 2007 2:00 PM:

The Brogden firing had more in common with the Cummins firing that Iglesias or Lam. They have announced that there was nothing wrong with Brogden's performance. Instead of going to Ensign and asking him for the name of somebody new, at least initially, the AG's office wanted to drop somebody in from the outside as they did with Cummins or in Alaska.

The question is why. Brogden was nominated by Ensign. He is an independent minded person but he has Ensign's confidence. It could be that the Rovian Republicans wanted to install a political operative to dig dirt on Harry Reid. It could also be that they wanted somebody with some independence from Ensign in the job. Maybe Ensign is the real target. That would explain his genuine anger. My bet is they wanted to put somebody in place who would reliably go after Harry Reid. What is clear is that Nevada had a Republican senator. You wouldn't want to install an outsider over his objection unless (1) you didn't really care about Ensign's opinion, (2)you had a really "special" person in mind or (3)Ensign was the target.

gjdodger wrote on March 10, 2007 2:06 PM:

I'd like to interrupt this display of moral outrage with a more pragmatic perspective. The issue here is, once again, not that the Administration replaced eight Republican US Attorneys with eight more Republican US Attorneys. It's that they were so sensitive about public reaction to the reasons for the dismissals that they felt obliged to lie about it. This has created yet another political headache for the wounded beast that is the national GOP. Remember that someday, there will be another Democrat in the White House, and he or she may feel obliged to replace a US Attorney for political reasons; when that happens, regardless of the reasons, he or she will be assailed by the Right for the move. It will be characterized as far worse than Gonzalez' purge. This remains a war of rhetoric, and the Administration has bungled it so badly that Congressional Republicans have joined the other side. Who cares why they're doing it, or how they're couching their arguments? Think of it as a boxing match. The Dems are looking toward the decision in 20 months, and every time they lay a glove on the Reps--or the Reps commit a foul--they score points. We'll add it all up the first Tuesday after the first Monday of November of 2008. Just keep your cool, score on them whenever the opportunity presents itself. Someone above argued the Republicans don't care whether what they do is right, as long as it's legal. That is obviously not the case--it was perfectly legal for Bush to remove those attorneys for no reason at all, and the Republicans are panicking in the presence of public scrutiny. They do care, because they are geared toward self-preservation, and they have just taken several more large steps toward that cliff.

Frank S wrote on March 10, 2007 2:23 PM:

The democrats need to do more than just cry about it; "mommy, mommy they hit me." I've had it with the girly-boy, turn the other cheek, whimpy, sissy responses of paast years. Hopefully Pelosi and Reid will take it to them and nail their a-sses time and time again.

NJ Phil wrote on March 10, 2007 2:54 PM:

These recently revealed efforts by the Bush Administration to politicize the AUSA continues in NJ. The U.S. Attorney there - Chris Christie - a former Republican fundraiser whose only accomplishment to date has been to go after every Democratic fundraiser and/or politician in the state, has now taken off after the NJ State Legislature. He's issued subpoena's which are so broad and far-reaching that even state Republican legislators have signed on to the Legislature's decision to hire outside counsel and fight the subpoenas. This is a shocking and outrageous attempt by an unelected Republican officeholder to thwart the will of the people of New Jersey who have increasingly voted Democratic out of disgust and frustration with the old-line Republican party's takeover by Christian fundamentalists.

bjobotts wrote on March 10, 2007 3:05 PM:

What people are really demanding of the Dems is that they stand up and say "You're all fired...every repub and every person connected to the Bush/Cheney WH...fired and most are going to Jail." Come on, really, it took 6yrs to build this state of corruption and failed politics and it cannot be undone in a night. Everyone has just run out of patience, we are frustrated and angry beyond belief and want everything done by this administration undone. But it must be done right. The amount of work before the Dems is overwhelming. They've already increased the work week just to handle it. They must never tire and we should encourage them at every opportunity by showing some appreciation for the huge effort this is taking. Rumsfeld, Libby, Gonzales, Rice, Cheney, and Bush but not necessarily in that order, and that's just the people at large not the issues or the department heads etc.

mbbsdphil wrote on March 10, 2007 3:11 PM:

gjdodger, exactly right. Dems have to be clear and forceful and loud about how they frame and publicize their criticism. The president has the lawful authority to replace political appointees at will. A new democratic president will do the same.

The issue is the timing, the questionnable, possibly corrupt, and shifting reasons behind these firings. It is the corrupt, if legal, process for naming their successors without seeking Senate confirmation.

We've heard Congressional noises, but no action on repealing the offending Patriot Act II provision. We have not heard a peep about submitting any of the new eight to the Senate for the promised advice and consent. Or, does Mr. Rove consider not having a head lawyer, and the resultant loss of morale and leadership in the chief prosecutors' offices, his intended Plan B?

Tug wrote on March 10, 2007 3:25 PM:

I hate to admit this, but I had to look the word "keelhaul" up to be sure what it meant:

keel·haul [keel-hawl]
–verb (used with object)
1. Nautical. to haul (an offender) under the bottom of a ship and up on the other side as a punishment.
2. to rebuke severely.

Excellent choice of words.

mbbsdphil wrote on March 10, 2007 3:29 PM:

"Or, does Mr. Rove consider not having a head lawyer, and the resultant loss of morale and leadership in the chief prosecutors' offices, his intended Plan B?"

Consider. The Republic Party has been in complete control for over six years. If for no reason other than opportunity, they are likely to generate the most scandals. It takes a long time to build morale; hire, train and motivate top lawyers and investigators; and construct tight cases in complex crimes. Smoking guns go cold and evidence goes stale. People forget or have incentives to avoid remembering.

In the twilight years of the Cheney presidency, debilitating these offices and delaying their getting up to speed in a new administration, is as equally good an outcome for Mr. Rove as investigating possible Democratic Party corruption.

What else are we not paying attention to or failing to act on? The administration is beginning to fall apart under its own corruption and ambition. In playing up multiple scandals, is Mr. Rove turning Mr. Bush from Hemingway's sailfish into a school of herring, the easier for him to get away?

mbbsdphil wrote on March 10, 2007 3:41 PM:

Keelhauling was deadly. The offending sailor was tied to a line that ran from one side of the ship, under the keel, to the other. He was then thrown overboard, scraped along the hull and pulled up the other side.

If the sailors pulled too slowly, the offending sailor might drown. If too quickly, the barnacles covering the hull lacerated his body. Apart from the obvious pain and danger that wounds would improperly heal, blood in the water attracted teh usual suspects.

jeffgee wrote on March 10, 2007 3:47 PM:

Bush chose Gonzales for one reason: loyalty. And 'cause Rove told him to. Al's humble beginnings and professional biography provided a good story for Bush when he wanted to burnish his image with Hispanics. (Remember when the republicans had high hopes for cornering the Hispanic vote? What happened to that dream?)

Mark F. wrote on March 10, 2007 3:51 PM:

Who'da guessed Gonzales would turn out to be such a pimp? I guess the fact that GW wanted him should have been the first clue...

bboop wrote on March 10, 2007 3:53 PM:

Politicize the DOJ is exactly what Gonzoles is about. This recently:

Attorney General's Advisory Committee of United States Attorneys - 2006

Said Attorney General Gonzales, "The Advisory Committee plays an invaluable role in providing strong advice and counsel as the Department works to make our Nation safer and more secure. Together, we will work to combat terrorism, reduce violent crime and drug trafficking, prevent cybercrime and child exploitation, prosecute government and corporate corruption, and protect the civil rights of all Americans." The Advisory Committee plays a vital role in furthering the Department's law enforcement efforts and represents the voice of the United States Attorneys in making Department policy.
The following is a listing of the 2006 Advisory Committee:
Johnny Sutton, United States Attorney, Western District of Texas, Chair
Susan Brooks, United States Attorney, Southern District of Indiana, Vice Chair
Michael Garcia, United States Attorney, Southern District of New York
Karin J. Immergut, United States Attorney, District of Oregon
Roslynn Mauskopf, United States Attorney, Eastern District of New York
Patrick L. Meehan, United States Attorney, Eastern District of Pennsylvania
Thomas E. Moss, United States Attorney, District of Idaho
David E. Nahmias, United States Attorney, Northern District of Georgia
Kevin J. O'Connor, United States Attorney, District of Connecticut
Paul Ignatius Perez, United States Attorney, Middle District of Florida
McGregor W. Scott, United States Attorney, Eastern District of California
Gretchen C. F. Shappert, United States Attorney, Western District of North Carolina
Michael Sullivan, United States Attorney, District of Massachusetts
Donald W. Washington, United States Attorney, Western District of Louisiana
Gregory A. White, United States Attorney, Northern District of Ohio
Drew Wrigley, United States Attorney, District of North Dakota
Robert Troester, First Assistant United States Attorney, Western District of Oklahoma

Anybody familiar with either the politics or resumes of these people? In CT, Kevin O'Connor is a very politically connected attorney who ran as a Repug against John Larson for the Senate and lost. He was named SUSAG just as the Governor John Rowland scandals were breaking, promptly recused himself from prosecuting individuals. Most of CT's scandals are Republicans and have been prosecuted by either John Danaher, Eric Glover or Nora Dannehy, all Asst. AGs. O'Connor had relatively little previous experience as a prosecutor and is rumored to have little in the way of charisma or people skills.
In January 2004, Attorney General Ashcroft appointed Professor O'Connor to serve a two-year term on the Attorney General's Advisory Committee of US Attorneys. He should have been gone off this Board by now, but he's still there.
Just what are these people facilitating for Gonzoles?

beware wrote on March 10, 2007 4:42 PM:

"Don't ever trust a member of the Bush gang. If I have learned anything about these people its to ignore what they say, and watch what they do."

Exactly, and by the Bush gang one has to include every member of congress, which Bush still holds so much fundraising and organizational clout over.

While there most certainly are good Republicans, they've been awfully passive, and many even downright deceptive as they roll over for this admin again and again.

Watch what they do, what they actually produce in the end, NOT what they say.

SqueakyRat wrote on March 10, 2007 4:43 PM:

The Constitution does not limit impeachment to the President or Vice-President. No reason at all why the Attorney-General can't be impeached.

oldtree wrote on March 10, 2007 4:45 PM:

ensign is just doing damage control and making it look public. this same BS artist is deeply involved with the gibbons campaign. it is nevada and it is the mob.
it's a republican, it has no values and does not tell what it knows about something it is asked about, ever. two of them talking to each other? pretty dull conversation if you cut out the lies.

vidstudent wrote on March 10, 2007 4:46 PM:

My guess is that Sen. Ensign is miffed over what was likely his recommendation of a U.S. Attorney being removed for no good reason. If that is the case, Daniel Bogden may have a slim chance of being reinstated out of respect to the senator.

oppositionradio wrote on March 10, 2007 5:13 PM:

It seems fairly obvious that this all started with with Republican hard-cores coming to Rove... Rove/Miers to Gonzales (with Cheney's approval) and Gonazales sent out his pitbulls.

As they say here in Minnesota - the fish rots from the head.

Can we do a regression for once ?

elrapierwit wrote on March 10, 2007 5:18 PM:

Onr thing that stands out here, is that the former USA from MN, Heffelfinger, stepped down in MN abruptly and the USA who replaced him was a young female minority, who had a metoric leap over other qualified attys and she was a former assistant to McNulty as well as being a Yale law grad and member of the Federalist Society. Her name is Papose, or somethin of that sort. She is Asian/Hmong.

Heffelfinger is one of the one's complaining about 'how' this was done in terms of the fall out on the young USA's.

It is real clear that the GOP is trying to fill the pipeline with attys who have been USA's so that they qualify to sit on the bench. They are attempting to leave a jurisprudence legacy.

The thing about MN, is that is where the next GOP national convention is and where it is likely to be the site of national voter fraud for the 2008 election as MN allows same day registration of voters. The person who would look into the legal issues would be the barely 30 year old minority female who replaced Heffelfinger.

The GOP umbrage is only out there to prevent e othethose attys from having their professional reputations smeared so as to not taint the legal legacy of this administration.

They do not care about the politicization of the justice system.

Jim Caputo wrote on March 10, 2007 5:59 PM:

Does anyone here really think that Ensign would give a rat's behind about this issue if the Repugnantcans were still in the majority? At best, this is feigned indignation; at worst, it's blatant self-preservation.

dhonig wrote on March 10, 2007 6:25 PM:

Alberto Gonzalez' Department of Just Us. Sorry, but the only way to deal with this whole thing is to laugh or to cry.

tbhull wrote on March 10, 2007 6:30 PM:

Gonzalez has and will always be the GWB's lawn boy. Today the yard is DOJ. Earlier it was the Texas Supreme Court. All nice yards, but he always must answer to the drunken man.

gjdodger wrote on March 10, 2007 6:49 PM:

This has been a pattern in Bush's second term. He has eliminated functional but loyal Republicans and replaced them with people who idolize him personally. That was what the Harriet Miers Supreme Court nomination was all about; it's why Johanns is at Agriculture, and Gonzales at Justice, and Rice at State, and Gutierrez at Commerce. It really is kind of sickening; he has so little self esteem that he has to be surrounded by people who worship him. His policies were built from a lifetime of being an insider, of having things handed to him, of being desirable because of his family and his dad and his grandfather. He can't stand to have someone close to him challenge those policies.

gracie wrote on March 10, 2007 7:06 PM:

Mike Garcia is a douchebag showboater who weaseled his way into being one of ICE's first Assistant Secretaries before he made the big score with SD-NY. (Rudy's old stomping ground, IIRC).

mbbsdphil wrote on March 10, 2007 9:23 PM:

You're right, SqueakyRat, Congress can impeach executive and judicial officers other than the president and vice president. My point was that Congress is limited to removing them from office. They remain subject to prosecution by state and federal authorities, but such prosecutions are rare.

I agree with gjdodger. The administration's first priority is to bend all federal agency action to the primary purpose of electoral victory, and the secondary purposes of enriching their supporters or ensuring their immunity from liability.

Anticipating that they could no longer limit functioning agencies to those purposes, expect this administration to spike their effectiveness, and delay a successor administration's returning them to effectiveness. Early and continuing disarray at the top is a good start, and not just among US Attorneys.

The administration is likely to execute this "plan" across all federal agencies, especially those that pose the most immediate threats to heavy donors, once the administration leaves office: EPA, SEC, IRS, US Attorneys, etc.

The only practical defense against this, other than impeachment proceedings, is Congress, the public and press shedding one heckuva lot of light on what's going on.

Darclay wrote on March 11, 2007 8:38 AM:

Daily Kos has more on this under diary section. Nixon's adm. was not this dirty.

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