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Leahy Comments on Gonzales Resignation
From Senate Judiciary Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-VT):
“Under this Attorney General and this President, the Department of Justice suffered a severe crisis of leadership that allowed our justice system to be corrupted by political influence. It is a shame, and it is the Justice Department, the American people and the dedicated professionals of our law enforcement community who have suffered most from it.“The obligations of the Justice Department and its leaders are to the Constitution, the rule of law and the American people, not to the political considerations of this or any White House. The Attorney General’s resignation reinforces what Congress and the American people already know -- that no Justice Department should be allowed to become a political arm of the White House, whether occupied by a Republican or a Democrat.
“The troubling evidence revealed about this massive breach is a lesson to those in the future who hold these high offices, so that law enforcement is never subverted in this way again. I hope the Attorney General’s decision will be a step toward getting to the truth about the level of political influence this White House wields over the Department of Justice and toward reconstituting its leadership so that the American people can renew their faith in its role as our leading law enforcement agency.”
Comments (14)
dave t wrote on August 27, 2007 9:44 AM:"I hope the Attorney General’s decision will be a step toward getting to the truth about the level of political influence this White House wields over the Department of Justice.."
Not letting him off the hook. oh goodie! pass the popcorn.
Susan Kitchens wrote on August 27, 2007 9:58 AM:Leahy:
I hope the Attorney General’s decision will be a step toward getting to the truth about the level of political influence this White House wields over the Department of Justice...
Naaah, despite your face-saving statment of hope, Abu Gonzales's decision is to continue to hide the amount of political influence.
x32792 wrote on August 27, 2007 9:59 AM:Bush is just one man. It took a willing and compliant Congress to let him happen to America and our Nation.
The fact Bush is still in office proves beyond a doubt we have a non-represenative government which serves and protects the best paying Special Interests.
Unmitigated Audacity wrote on August 27, 2007 10:00 AM:Now that this sordid little side-show is over, on to the real business at hand - the impeachment of the real nexus of evil in the executive branch - CHENEY.
Bartimaeus wrote on August 27, 2007 10:01 AM:Ummm. Ok. Now will you get Harry Reid to gavel the f**king Senate back into session to prevent a recess appointment. Or at least issue a statement saying that you will expect to hold hearings on the President's nominee, who must be credible, utterly candid, and trustworthy, as soon as September rolls around.
Please.
Pretty please.
mageduley wrote on August 27, 2007 10:02 AM:So now will the executive privledge be overturned so that congress can legistlate stronger checks and balances on the executive? So that this never happens again?
oleeb wrote on August 27, 2007 10:03 AM:I certainly hope this doesn't mean the numerous investigations will now cease. The investigations need to continue until all the corruption is exposed and rooted out! The investigation of Fredo's lies to Congress in particular need to be pursued relentlessly and prosecution of that bum needs to occur in order to cleanse our political system of his filth. Without that, future corrupt appointees will have no fear of doing whatever they please. The Democrats should finally find the balls not to give up on this.
Fred M. wrote on August 27, 2007 10:07 AM:I just wonder how long it will be before Bush presents him with his Medal of Freedom ...
kentuck wrote on August 27, 2007 10:14 AM:As late as yesterday, the Gonzales camp was saying there was no plan to resign. I do not think Alberto resigned voluntarily but he will have to say he quit voluntarily, so the President can save face. The person that replaces Gonzales will have to be a faithful follower of Brother Bush and be willing to protect all the lies and defend the secrecy. Chertoff would be on that short list.
swampcracker wrote on August 27, 2007 10:25 AM:A Chertoff nomination will also mean a hat tip towards Guiliani.
KYJurisDoctor wrote on August 27, 2007 10:39 AM:So he FINALLY, though BELATEDLY, does the "Gonzo shuffle"? View my choice for successor:
http://osi-speaks.blogspot.com/2007/08/breaking-news-us-attorney-general.html#links
Richard wrote on August 27, 2007 10:39 AM:""""The fact Bush is still in office proves beyond a doubt we have a non-represenative (sic)government which serves and protects the best paying Special Interests."""""
You might want to support such a far reaching claim. Impeachment is not going to oust Bush as it will not pass a 51 / 49 Senate. So why do it? The 'special interests' you mention, who are they, who is being held by them and for what quid pro quo. It's time to stop the Kucinich crap and support your claims.
Dennis wrote on August 27, 2007 10:47 AM:Just watch. Inspite of the comments of Leahy and others, this investigation is over and we now resume "business as usual".
You don't have to be a blind conservative not to see it, just an ignorant one to deny it.
BronxInTN wrote on August 27, 2007 11:43 AM:Leahy can go beyond mere words by forcing a deal with the White House. The White House must ask for an Independent Counsel appointment, whose charge will be to investigate the firings of the U.S. Attorneys, the subsequent and repeated misleading testimony by Gonzales and other DOJ officials, and the Hatch Act violations by Rove et al. If no Independent Counsel, then there will be no AG confirmation.