AG Alberto Gonzales will be giving a speech shortly at the Department of Justice. Shortly thereafter, scheduled for 11:30 am ET, President Bush will give a press conference in Waco, TX.
MSNBC talking heads Chris Matthews and Joe Scarborough say that local GOP folks have been calling for Gonzales’ removal and that this may have been an organized effort by incoming Rove replacement Ed Gillespie to “cut off the dead limbs on the GOP trees,” so to speak.
CNN’s been interviewing John Cornyn. YAWN. Here’s a summary: partisan…mean…partisan…witch hunt…sad day…blah blah blah. Shorter Cornyn: Accept no responsibility and blame someone else for GOP failures. (Can someone get this man a new script?)
_____________________________
10:31 am ET:
ALBERTO GONZALES live at podium:
Good morning. 13 years ago, I entered public service to make a positive difference in the lives of others. And during this time, I have travelled a remarkable journey from my home state of Texas to Washington, D.C., supported by the unwavering love and encouragement of my wife Rebecca, and our sons Jerret, Graham and Gabriel.
Yesterday, I met with President Bush and informed him of decision to conclude my government service as Attorney General of the United States effective as of 9/17/07. Let me say that it has been one of my greatest privileges to lead the DOJ. I have great admiration and respect for the men and women who work here. I have made a point as attorney general to personally meet as many of them as possible. And today I want to again thank them for their service to our nation.
It is through their continued work that our country and our communities remain safe. That the rights and civil liberties of our citizens remain protected. And the hopes and dreams of all our children are secured. I often remind our fellow citizens that we live in the greatest country in the world — and that I have lived the American dream. Even my worst days as attorney general have been better than my father’s best days. Public service is honorable and noble.
And I am profoundly grateful to President Bush for his friendship and for the many opportunities he has given me to serve the American people. Thank you and God bless America.
______________
That’s it. No questions taken.
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FITZ! (that felt good)
waaa
uno?
voice quavering… – and he’s outta there!!
Buh Bye Gonzo
that was it?!
thanks for updating those of us without tv access at work!
His worst day was better than his father’s best. . .jesus.
wow! not one word why he was quitting!
from TPM:
Posts are flyin’ pretty fast this morning. Good on you, CHS. I’m not gettin’ any WORK done…
OldCoastie @ 9
Siesta time.
resignation effective 16th – does that mean no recess appointment?
And good morning to you, too, Christy. What a difference you have made. Between your work as an attorney and your work here, the nation is much better off. Thank you!
Good riddance.
Next?
how come the shrub wasn’t there hugging and kissing and crying his goodbyes?
That was short and sweet.
Shorter Gonzo (as if that were possible): kthxbye.
I thought he was going to cry …. hey congress please investatgate this bozo
wow, that was short… I’m glad he didn’t get into WHY he’s leaving, as inevitably he would’ve played the victim card… didn’t use the lame family excuse either… good on you, Gonzo… now get lost!!!
The wheels are finally coming off this runaway cabal.
He said he told the Pres yesterday but the press says the letter was sent Friday
No recess appointment. I’m hearing there was some kind of deal between Reid and the WH.
Good Bye to bad trash!
epu’d –
The email sent to Gonzales from the White House informing him to drop news items like this on a Friday afternoon must have been lost in the email dump.
I thought he was talking about Bush when he was talking about his wife. Yuck.
How long before they put his name on a seat at AEI? Who else would want him? . . . maybe Halliburton?
Bustednuckles @ 21
I think the wheels are still on but only being held with one lugnut per rim…
Chimpy to “speak” live at 11:50 eastern.
Public Service is honorable calling, sez Abu (I’m paraphrasing).
Too bad he wasn’t honorable about it.
must post the following for the times someone brings up the rediculous talking point “the ag’s work at the pleasure of the president”
jayt @ 58
but no, the president does NOT have the rights as presented by scarborouh
if the president is obstructing justice by firing someone, if he is impeding an investigation, preventing charges preferred or if he is forcing charges preferred when they should not be preferred he is NOT allowed to do it
now, if he CLAIMS it’s because of the color of a person’s hair and there was no evidence it was rather an obustruction of justice, then joe might have a point
MIGHT have a point
becuase no matter what the president does, it is never the less subject to congress allowing him to do it, they Always have the ability to stop a president if he is acting in a depraved maner that is detrimental to our republic
joe is entirely wrong
Fredo booked it out of that pressroom FAST!
Tom @ 23
Glenn has the details on the bottom of this post.
Gonzo claims he has lived the American Dream. Funny, I didn’t realize that the American Dream was that a complete incompetent can rise to a high position by sucking up to powerful people and lying for them.
I guess that’s the Republican Dream.
Orrin Hatch. He’s a lawyer. Or Mitch McConnell. He’s another lawyer. The list of upstanding statesmen and gifted attorney’s are endless. So many would be a seamless fit.
RevDeb @ 27
Hey RevDeb! Welcome to the neighborhood. Glad you are here.
Rove–gone
Gonzo–gone
Darth–begone!
No recess appointment. I’m hearing there was some kind of deal between Reid and the WH.
I like the theory advanced in a previous thread — that Gonzo’s resignation was the price Bush had to pay for the getting the new FISA bill passed…
GeorgeSimian @ 26
I thought the same thing!
No explanation of why he’s resigning, no answering of questions – why am I thinking that there really is Something Bad coming up on the horizon?
No, I don’t mean another big terrorist attack – could it be the rumours that Susan Ralston is singing in the Abramhoff-related scandals? Or more about Ag’s involvement with the USAA purges?
Somebody hook up Marcy’s caffeine IV – oh damn, she went on a mini-vacation without Tubez access.
“how come the shrub wasn’t there hugging and kissing and crying his goodbyes?”
Shrub is in Seattle today, and we are planning a gathering to “welcome” him and a vigil afterward. Darcy Burner is heading his welcoming committee – remember to donate to her campaign against Riechert.
Th-th-th-that’s all folks!
(Cue Looney Tunes theme)
White House–Puhleeze nominate Chertoff for this. We’ve got to get that guy before the Senate for some hearings.
A bit more rubber saved, off the graydog tires.
But, hey, we gotta make those things last at least 15 months; plenty more “paving material” where Abu came from. :o)
No questions allowed for Gonzo or Bush. Can’t wait til the WH briefing – wonder which schmuck will stand before the WH press corp spinning in the wind?
a scary thought just bubbled up from the pit of my stomach;
unless there is a behind the scenes deal, the president should be able to get anyone confirmed that will turn a blind eye to the crimes that have been committed
how can the president risk allowing torture to leave without a recess appointment?
do we remember the president anointed himself king if there is a catastrophy?
me begins to worry
Millineryman @ 36
Thanks MM. Looking forward to being out of boxes and settled in. Spending beaucoup bucks just on tradespeople—electrician, plumber, tree guys, etc. Feeling very welcomed by them.
Any ideas as to why now?
WAG (Wild-ass-guess) alert, they wanted this today to hide behind the Mike Vick news.
If so, it suggests to me more evidence of just how pathetically weak the WH is. It seems to me that the GOP pressured Bush into this. The only leverage they have, other than impeachment is support for Iraq.
RevDeb @ 27
And there’s that Presidential Medal of Freedom!
In honor of the latest mediated talking point to emanate from the Whitehouse and to be repeated ad nasueum until we all believe it to be true.
Alberto Gonzales, American dreamer.
-GSD
Now to see what brillant idea Bush has for a replacement.
CSPAN host – “AG Gonzales is resigning long after becoming an embarrassment to this administration.”
Oh, that’s some honest commentary.
As long as the Republicans are in, the name of the game will stay the same. I’ve got to go back to work. And I’m glad.
msmolly @ 11
I didn’t even bother going to work today. Knew I would be cheating my employer.
cornyn is a joke. don’t waste time on him unless you are going to be discussing beating his ass in the coming election. The gonzo dated the resign for sept 17 2007. Why the delay? What is gonna happen before sept 17?
I gotta tellya – the folks are sooooo scary– I am getting really paranoid.
pierce aero @ 41
You know, if you’re going to welcome him in a spirited way, try your best to look 21 years old, fresh-faced, well-dressed and gosh-darn perky; that way, you’ll blend right in with the youth-rally groups planted to make you disappear.
Best of luck!
perris @ 44
Gee, ya think maybe he would pardon him anyway?
Any precedent there?
Ruby Tuesday @ 40
I can’t say, but I’m thinking what you’re thinking. Something is going on behind the scenes, and I’d like to know what.
GSD @ 48
Abu Gonzo, dreams his way through making America a nightmare.
Future testimony from the coming AG–
“I was not ‘on duty’ at that time, so I can’t testify in regard to those allegations.”
I’d be more curious about what tipped the scale, moving gonzo out, after all the crime and prevarication he leaves now ?
Is there any connection to Rove’s departure ?
It may be oblique to think their is, there are some obvious points of connection, but nothing conclusive.
OldCoastie @ 16
Hmmm. That does seem kinda odd. Aren’t these things usually joint appearances?
Thank you Christy! I know that the living blogging takes a great deal of effort! *g*
“Our rights and civil liberties remain protected” and there was NO LIGHTNING BOLT frying his lying ass?
I hate this man. Oily little weasel.
Clusterfuck won’t pick a sitting congresscritter or senator–and risk losing a seat- and no senator with a brain would give up a senate seat in exchange for a 16 month gig on the Titanic.
Chertoff sounds like a good guess.
It’s simple; bush is running out of political capital to use to protect his people. They’re more useful to him now as sacrificial goats for bargaining purposes…which procedure I hope is going to continue until the GOP decides to have that
“Campaign 2008!” barbecue on the white house lawn. :o)
The R’s are too damn happy about this… there’s fuckery afoot.
Ruby Tuesday @ 40
rove resigned for a reason didn’t he, and we have yet to find out what that reason is
me thinks the two resignations are related
Compare & contrast:
Rove officially announced his resignation by Bush’s side. It was a rather long speech. Crying, etc.
Gonzo officially announced his resignation alone. Short & sweet. Bush speaks over an hour later.
Rove resigned, Gonzo pushed? Discuss.
whoo hoo! Fitz for AG!!
I went back through the Tivo of the presser and cleaned up the transcript. I think I have a fairly clean copy of what was said up now. It was a short speech, but I think I got the whole think accurately. Just FYI gang…
Bearpaw @ 59
He’s in Texas ain’t he? ABU just has “a Lone Star State of Mind”.
David Kurtz at TPM:
“Small Shoes to Fill”
RevDeb @ 27
SMU Law School. Or Baker Botts. Those would be my bets.
that really was the strangest little presser… be interesting to see what’s shrub’s is like…
Alpo G.
Doesn’t feel good when you get thrown under the bus, does it Al?
David Iglesias must be drinking some good coffee this AM.
-GSD
snowbird42 @ 22
Lying is such a habit with him. He can’t even get this fact straight.
jeffnar @ 66
Now YOU are a REAL dreamer!
Still fun to contemplate. *sigh*
jayt @ 63
they wanted him gone a long time ago, they cringed whenever an issue relating to torutre would arise
it is one less problem as far as they are concerned, I don’t think they realize the gates of hell will open for the repukelicans if we get an ag with integrity
or maybe they do, maybe they want an excuse to abandon this administration and distance themselves
that is there only hope after all, reclaiming their party, calling the administration something differant then republican, they might be able to rebuild
prostratedragon @ 69
actually, they’re just flip-flops
raven @ 69
The Gonzo/Rover Texas Reunion should be a hoot!
CHS, help all of us who are IANAL.
consequences? perjury charges, for example.
Jane or EW ? the confluence of 3 resignations: Schlossberg, Kim and Abu G an indicator of the DOJ internal investigation closing in on a particular offense and particularly offensive offense? And Rove? Timeline thoughts, EW?
and remind us. Can he be pardoned for crimes as yet uncharged without the president conceding that there are charges?
etc.?
and now, to VENT (ordinary yelling):
I just turned off NPR/WBUR where the commentator after talking hard facts like the Seligman fixing before the statement then went to waxing lyrical on his cinderalla story.
And everyone, pups: a great day after months of going going goining he is GONZO GONE. and yes I am yelling with joy.
It was interesting to see Ana Marie Cox playing pundit on Morning Joe on MSNBC this morning.
kdh22 @ 53
Yeah, I didn’t get the big news in time to stay home. I’m TRYIN’ to ignore FDL, but it ain’t working.
When did the American Dream become trashing the Bill of Rights and suffering both short term and long term memory loss at hearings in front of Senators?
We need someone to update Wikipedia I think.
It’s gonna be *real* interesting to see if the D’s come back from recess with fangs bared toward FISA – if not, there was a deal in place. Abu for FISA.
Can I be pre-emptively pissed off?
billjpa @ 53
Rick Noriega for Texas
Thirty years after that young man enlisted, Rick Noriega — now a Lt. Colonel in the Army National Guard, a member of the Texas Legislature, a husband and a father – again answered the call, serving in Afghanistan with the Texas National Guard in the aftermath of another attack on innocent Americans.
…
may all that is true and holy help Rick Noriega.
folks, what would be the point of questions? even when he answers them, he doesn’t answer them… we saw this again and again before Congress… do we really need to hear “I don’t recall” a bunch more times?
Thank you much, Christy!
Bearpaw @ 60
Oh, gosh, there’s brush to clear in Crawford; one must have his priorities straight.
Biodun @ 80
Wonder where Mika was this a.m.? I think she’s a little too left of center for that lot.
John Fund suggesting Hatch, Silberman and Russell, a judge.
on point with Tom Ashbrook on vacation.
Mauimom @ 74
I think he called on Friday, then he and his wife went to Crawford yesterday.
Especially when you get nominated for a job you’re not qualified for.
Rove and Gonzales — is this designed to take the winds out of Dems sails for having a smackdown in the Fall with these guys over the attorney scandal? You can’t impeach a resigning AG.
Now he can become a waaaambulance chaser.
Other Pat @ 87
Maybe Gonzo’s really resigning because he’s needed on the ranch to help bring in this season’s record brush crop.
Gee, I guess this means we can stop worrying now about his plethora of crimes. What a relief! He’s been hounded out of office by us mean ol’ liberals. He’s paid his price.
NOT.
* * *
Defend the Constitution. Restore the Republic. Impeach the Usurper and his Henchmen.
(Pardon my actual patriotism is defending the Constitution against subversion meme.)
We’ve seen this pattern before. When facing a forced decision, Clusterfuck likes to wait until the heat is off before knuckling under. Makes him more macho. With congress out of session, the heat was off- so it was a perfect time to do what should have been done months ago.
Apparently the White House told senior staff that if they don’t intend to stay on the Titanic until the bitter end, they need to go ashore by LABOR DAY. Reportedly there are others who will jump ship soon.
Adie @ 77
Bahahaha!!!!
rwcole @ 62
Chertoff brings the reality of 2 confirmation hearings—AG and HS which will bring up mounds of dirt on Katrina and the aftermath. I don’t think they want to go there. YMMV
Bush loves his Turd Blossom, and TB is packing his bags for whatever reasons behind the smokescreen.
But Bush and AG go back a long long way. AG been abusing law and judicial practices for Bush since he helped cover up Bush’s DWIs (and other rumored brushes with the law).
It’s not like Bush to let go of his inner circle easily. They certainly didn’t do it for the good of the DoJ, let alone the nation.
With both of these resignations, I don’t think it’s just one thing that is pushing/pulling them out the door and out of the administration.
Off to go read Glenn.
Any chance Congress would tell Clement to jump in a lake and force Bush to nominate Fitz?
If offered, would Fitz even accept? It might look like an approval of Bush’s commuting of Scooter’s sentence?
zennurse @ 90
Can’t decide if the joy of getting smarmy Hatch off of Judiciary Committee is worth 18 months of him as AG.
I am sorry he is gone..The DOJ is a criminal enterprise..Replacing a dumb criminal with a smarter criminal is not particularly good for us. There is evidence of too many un-indicted felonies floating around the DOJ, no honest person need to apply for the job.
Biodun @ 91
he never heal any public positions that Dubya did not appoint him to.
none.
rwcole @ 97
Totally agree with this.
pierce aero @ 41
Godspeed to you all, good goin’!
Say “Impeach!” for all of us.
Alberto Gonzales leaves behind a tiny pair of oil stained shoes to fill.
-GSD
FionnBarr @ 58
“I was not ‘on duty’ at that time, so I can’t testify in regard to those allegations.”
First question in any comfirmation hearing should be: How’s your memory?
musicsleuth @ 93
Perhaps the pieces were in place for a real impeachment inquiry, and there was enogh GOP disgust to make the “mean partisan Democrats” theme harder to sell.
Sword-falling usually has a larger motive.
GSD, shit stained shoes.
But does he remember resigning?
Maybe Dennis Hastert?
Diane @ 110
Alberto was the Stool Boy.
-GSD
Biodun @ 91
Strangely, as an American, I have never dreamed of being a Bush Toady.
Tanbark @ 63
Sort of like roast the fatted calf(s)?
Helpless Dancer @ 106
Thank goodness I had my coffee earlier or else it would have been all over my desk. LOL!
“I often remind our fellow citizens that we live in the greatest country in the world..”
He had the unmitigated GALL to say that in public? after throwing our Constitution in the privy?
BEGONE! NO questions, PLEASE! JUST.GO!
Well the lightning rods are departing- Rove and Gonzo–Harriet left long ago..Rummy. Still got Uncle Dicky though. The White House is batting down the hatches for the big, long, blow.
Helpless Dancer @ 107
First question in any comfirmation hearing should be: How’s your memory?
Yes, yes, yes! [must clean coffee from monitor]
yellowdog jim @ 104
ahem a na,
“he never held“, that would be held any …
What a whole lot of nothing that speech was.
There one name I haven’t seen floated yet, Christy Hardin Smith.
So, who’s left of the Texans now? Karen Hughes is still in the wings, but unless I am mistaken, Gonzo was the last West texas ranger left after Rove jumped ship.
Still think Lungren might be the only easy-appointment for Bush, everyone else would face some serious scrutiny for approval, Lungren, being “one of them” might not have such a mountain to climb…
And Lungren has proven conclusively that he holds his neocon agenda above the civil rights of the citizens. That represents some serious Republican credentials these days…
I may be wayoff on this, like my theory that Condi has been positioned to replace Cheney (is that what’s next on this revolving playbill?) I have that good old “gut feeling” that it might happen sooner than later.
The answers now go from “I don’t recall” to “I am new on the job and trying to figure things out” or “I wasn’t here then” or “I’ll look into that and get back to you”..in 18 months.
I’ve heard Fran Townsend’s name bandied about. It rang a bell with me. We’ll see, of course. But no one in their right mind who has any career going would take the job.
Now they are all on the dogfight guy. Nothing to see here. . . . move along.
I was thinking about nominating The First Dog, Barney, for AG (similar loyalties and capabilities, ya know), but then I remembered that that little pooch is pro-war, so fuck him too.
Other Pat @ 112
Good idea! DC can keep Hastert. We don’t want him back, thank you very much.
Signed-
Illinois
musicsleuth @ 93
Perhaps not but I, for one, can certainly wave buh-bye with considerable enthusiasm.
Millineryman at 121 — HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA…
Um…no. Not gonna happen. But thanks for the giggle, anyway.
DHS nomination – remember who runs the Senate committee on DHS.
Ol’ Lonesome Joe.
Bushco know they will have a much easier time getting someone thru the DHS hearings that trying to get a candidate approved by the Leahy-led Judiciary committee.
jayt @ 84
Yep. I am.
Interesting timing, getting big stories over the recess/vacation. Kind of hard to watch CNN/MSNBC show their limitations, only able to cover the surface of such an important, complicated event.
No one mentioning Gonzo’s utility as a firewall for the Bush Administration, just how he had lost all credibility and support except for the President, as if he wasn’t a key man in protecting the President. Now would be a good time to look at how previous AGs were actually independent from the presidents who appointed them. Would an independent new AG appoint a special prosecutor for the politicization of the DoJ? What about all of the other scandals, Abramoff, Wilkes/Foggo–the probable source of the firing of the USAs in the first place. It’s all such a widespread and huge topic, but all you see is the sliding along the surface.
kdh22 @ 89:
Mika is on vacation. And yes you’re right, she’s definitely to the left of that bunch.
Mrs. Beasley has withdrawn her name from consideration.
-GSD
Christy Hardin Smith @ 130
You’re welcome. I thought a little levity could help.
GSD @ 135
But not Jenna’s fiance?
JEP @ 122 – I have suspected the Condi/Cheney swap ever since Mrs. Dubya mentioned she would like to see her run. Seems obvious, but I don’t believe Cheney would let go for Boots.
West Texans?
Naw- Gonzo was an East Texan. Harriet was a Dallas Girl (North Central Texas). Clusterfuck is from Connecticut.
Laura Belle’s the only west texan I know about in that group.
Meanwhile, in Bush’s forgotten war in Afghanistan. 5 NATO troops killed this weekend.
Link.
Also, US commanders claiming that the Taliban are fabricating reports of civilian casualties, even though other NATO members have been expressing concerns about civilian casualties.
-GSD
GSD @ 134
I can’t accept the nod from the Chief either. I got to finish the patio steps that got washed away in last weeks torrential rain.
There won’t be a new AG for a while. Help wanted flyers have just been posted at Regent University.
phred @ 132
No need to look ahead to be pissed. ALl you need do is look back.
Elliott @ 10
I just got back fromt eh gym and I didn’t have earphones with me, but they had CNN on and the crawl at the bottom of the CNN screeen, said Chertoff is the nominee?
has that changed?
from Atrios:
Sadly, I think he may have hit it.
Another sad chapter in the nation’s story.
ww @ 123
And who says any of these clowns are in their right minds?
Billy Martin spokesman for Michael Vick pre-empting punditry on Fredo. The same Billy Martin cryin’ the blues for Scooter? The same Billy Martin whose wife Michele McQueen was holding court on Maher Friday night?
The cozy cocktail wienie circuit’s really teenier than we thought….
That’s it. No questions taken.
Why bother? He either won’t remember or he can’t discuss it. Don’t let the screen door whack you on the tuchus on your way back to TX, Al. Good riddance.
I’ll bet it’s Chertoff- he’s already been through the confirmation process. He’s got a problem with Katrina- and will get some questions about his role- but that’s an hours worth of grief.
I think the senate will take him.
Then they need another homeland security puppet.
Badwater @ 142
I forgot all about that pool of pre-pubescent neo-con a$$lickers! Aww sh*t!
I know that some amount of schmaltzy hyperbole is to be expected upon departures, but I had a hard time choking this one down. It’s beyond “What color is the sky in your world, Alberto?”
We’re safe, our liberties are protected, and we’re set for the future. I had no idea.
Biodun @ 37
Amen.
Speaking of Regent… I moved here from Ohio and recently found out that in Wisconsin if you graduate from law school in Wisconsin you do not have to take a state bar exam. Your a lawyer on the receipt of the diploma.
Do other states do that?
Well, Chertoff’s nomination would certainly fit the Bush Administration pattern of promoting incompetence.
… oops
never mind.
so who has the odds on the recess appointment? I say it will be Addington.
From the text of Gonzo’s resignation speech:
I’m sure daddy would be glad to hear that.
Badwater @ 141
Bush will choose from the ones with the best inside-the-lines coloring.
I had a scarier thought — Rove, gone. Gonzo, gone. Bush resigns and President Cheney?
EPU’d downstairs, & would love to hear anyone’s thots in re:
…
Gonzo’s been a firewall.
Gonzo’s been accused of perjury.
Do these things just float off into the ethers now?
What of the “torture’s cool” crowd and their t.p.-ing of the Constitution?
Where does resignation leave gonzo and the residue of the administration, not to mention the rest of us poor slobs who have to put up with this gang awhile longer?
Thoughts Christy? (in your spare time, of course, heh), anyone??
Daddy must have been a REAL failure.
Badwater @ 142
Wanted: Energetic, obedient attorney to run Department of
Prosecuting Democrats as much as possibleJustice.Valid law degree, member of the Bar of at least one (preferably red) state, 5-10 years
politicalprosecutorial experience.Working knowledge of the Constitution not required.
RevDeb @ 125
That’s just CNN. They’re back on it now and they are not being particularly kind either.
JEP @ 123
No!!!!!! Not Lungren. He is my very own congress critter and is dumb as a bucket of hair. And mean.
TiredFed @ 154
oooo! interesting!
rwcole @ 139
touchy touchy! whew. don’t mess w/ TX!s
Are we believing the story that this was Gonzo’s decision, that he brought it to Bush on Friday and Bush took the weekend to decide to go ahead with it?
Kind of makes sense, and fits into the idea that Bush would have held on to Gonzo for forever, because of his firewall value. But if his old buddy Al was breaking down under the pressure, and without the necessity of protecting Rove (or at least protecting Rove’s job), maybe Gonzo himself realized he could make a break for it. Then Bush talked to Gillespie, Fred Fielding (a key figure) and the 4th branch, who figured it would be okay, and might put a little wind in their sails for the September Iraq fight/phoney “Petraeus” report.” Coverage (CNN/John King) keeps saying that the WH has cleaned house so that they can have a new start and a bit of momentum for the last 17 months, but he’s not mentioning that they have big battles coming in Sept., Iraq and taking another look at the FISA debacle.
“Perhaps the pieces were in place for a real impeachment inquiry, and there was enogh GOP disgust to make the “mean partisan Democrats” theme harder to sell.”
I agree the GOP is driving the termintions of Rove and Gonzales. I think the GOP’s lever, however, was support for Iraq, not impeachment. They keep giving Bush ultimatums, either pull back in Iraq or fire Rove and then fire Gonzales. I think the GOP would much prefer it if Bush chose pulling out of Iraq, but they keep chopping him down, publicly humiliating him, piece by piece. Senator
Elizabeth TaylorJohn Warner on MTP yesterday was just the most recent ultimatum. My guess is that if Bush didn’t pull out of Iraq or fire Gonzales, than the GOP would consider impeachment. GOP is still able to pull support for Iraq in two weeks, if they choose to. IMVHO, this shows just how desperately weak Bush is.Somebody better tell Harry to call the Senate back to town! We don’t need any more recess appointments.
oh, my…. bubbye, Abu. don’t let the door hit you on the way out.
looseheadprop @ 144
there’s no evidence to support that yet.
So it seems that these investigations ARE having some effect. I was losing both heart and interest in what was looking a lot like kabuki theater.
That would be rich. Lieberman gets the AG nod. In the name of bi-partisanship. How will our spineless Democrats handle that one?
What a day!
Pack up your magical torture bag and get out!
looseheadprop @ 142
Nothing official, just “sources say.”
The buzz among top Bushies is that beleaguered Attorney General Alberto Gonzales finally plans to depart and will be replaced by Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff. Why Chertoff? Officials say he’s got fans on Capitol Hill, is untouched by the Justice prosecutor scandal, and has more experience than Gonzales did, having served as a federal judge and assistant attorney general.
http://www.usnews.com/blogs/wa…..stice.html
mc @ 152
Chertoff is not incompetent. He is ruthless, amoral and as LHP posted..a very sharp lawyer. It takes real skill to “loose” 22.3 billion dollars. If Chertoff becomes AJ, it is to replace a dumb criminal with a smart one..hold back the flood for 18 months or until martial law is declared.
He isn’t leaving till 9/17. Congress will be back by then. This means no recess appts, correct?
Apparently, it’s time for Rove and Gonzalez to enter the bunker and become part of the shadow government …
Boo Radley @ 47
More important news than Vick out there today, but as usual it’s hidden.
US could be heading for recession
Last Updated: 9:42am BST 27/08/2007
Ex-Treasury Secretary Summers warns of risks ‘greater than any since aftermath of 9/11′, reports Ambrose Evans-Pritchard
Subprime crisis in full
Ambrose Evans-Pritchard: Prepare for the crunch
Former US Treasury Secretary Larry Summers warned that the United States may be heading into recession as the biggest victim to date of the sub-prime mortgage debacle was humiliatingly sold for a token sum in Germany.
Traders are braced for another week of turmoil after the near breakdown of America’s $2,200bn (£1,100bn) market for commercial paper.
“It would be far too premature to judge this crisis over,” Mr Summers said. “I would say the risks of recession are now greater than they’ve been any time since the period in the aftermath of 9/11.”
In Germany, it emerged that the state-bank SachsenLB may have accumulated $80bn of exposure to risky assets through a set of Irish funds kept off balance sheet.
The regional government of Saxony agreed yesterday to sell the East German bank – the biggest victim so far of the worldwide credit rout – for a token €300m (£204m) to the Landesbank Baden-Württemberg in Stuttgart (LBBW), ending a three-week saga that has revealed the extent of German involvement in the some of the most treacherous areas of US sub-prime debt.
Georg Milbrandt, prime minister of Saxony, said the sale of state-owned lender was the only viable option.
“Given the market turbulence and the pressures on the bank, it could not have gone on without a partner. We want to get our ship off the high waves and into a safe port,” he said.
Sachsen LB, founded in 1992 after the fall of the Berlin Wall, was rescued two weeks ago in a state orchestrated bail-out. A consortium of banks agreed to provide a €17.3bn credit lifeline, but only on the understanding that it agreed to be sold to a stronger player.
It allegedly used no fewer than five Irish ‘conduits’ (off-balance sheet vehicles) to invest in collateralised debt obligations (CDOs) and other high-risk instruments, according to German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung.
The biggest losses stemmed from structured investment vehicles (SIVs) which involve using short-term credit to buy longer-term assets, creating a mismatch in maturities.
The rescue deal comes as investors waited to learn whether the US Federal Reserve would succeed in stabilising the US commercial paper market, the latest – and biggest -domino to fall in the spreading contagion from sub-prime debt. Investors have suddenly lost trust in this form of debt, fearing it may be tainted by exposure to CDOs.
Stock markets rallied strongly late last week on the belief that the Federal Reserve would start to cut its key lending rate in September, and that the European Central Bank would refrain from further tightening. Goldman Sachs said any hint the banks may prove more hawkish could quickly dampen investor spirits again, warning it was too early to give “all clear” on equities.
Federal Reserve data shows that the outstanding stock of US commercial paper has fallen by $255bn over the last three weeks, a sign that borrowers have been unable to roll over huge amounts of debt. The fall is comparable to the sudden shrinkage that occurred at the onset of the dotcom bust, and may have the effect of draining liquidity.
The New York Fed issued a statement on Friday stressing that asset-backed commercial paper (ABCP) would be accepted as collateral for loans to banks from the discount window. The move has helped trim the average yield slightly to 6.04pc, helping to calm a key part of the money market that lubricates the financial system.
Even so, the cost of this credit is still up roughly 80 basis points since late July – for those borrowers who can obtain it at all. Bill Gross, head of the US bond-giant PIMCO, said parts of the commercial paper industry were now so discredited that it may be impossible to revive them.
A string of Germany banks have run into trouble after taking leveraged bets on CDOs and the even more deadly ’synthetic’ or derivative CDOs – bond-like securities that often contain slices of US mortgage debt.
The scale of carnage in Europe explains the series of emergency actions by ECB, which injected a further $85bn in liquidity through various mechanisms last week. IKB was the first German bank to crumble earlier this month, requiring an €8.1bn state-rescue just days after it denied any significant exposure to sub-prime debt.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/mon…..con127.xml
jeffnar @ 68
In THIS administration? Why would you want to have him coated with Bush’s slime?
Millineryman @ 122
Now THAT would result in a new round of Depends for the White Elephant cocktail-weenie crowd…
Maybe, by 2009, this would be worth promoting. But I would assume she prefers to raise her child in peace and help Jane continue to build this new, revolutionary medium.
I know the a.g. is a big important job, but I have to say, these ladies have done more to promote democracy in their capacity as new-age bloggers than most attorney generals accomplish in their short tenure, so it might be viewed as a downgrade in her authority.
NOT SNARK, I mean that sincerely.
In recent years, we have seen a whole new breed of power broker born from the blogs. (read that last sentence out loud, it rolls nicely off the tongue) and their influence has been historic. Yet it will be ten years down the road before the full impact of these new media forms will be understood completely.
But for now, I can’t imagine Christy doing anything other than what she has done so far, just more of it. Especially the video conferences(MORE, please MORE!!!)
If you were going to look at the recent hearings to find a potential AG for the future (post 2008) the light that shined most brightly for me was Sheldon Whitehouse.
He may have higher aspiratins than AG, but he would sure put some of my faith back into the system.
Oklahoma kiddo @ 173
That would be very very interesting! Especially for Clinton, Obama, Dodd and Biden.
dakine01 @ 175
that’s what i was trying to say:
no evidence as good as than the CNN crawl.
ROFLMAO
Thank you Christy. The Leahy/Texas Toast photo will always remind me of you.
Biodun @ 156
rwcole @ 147
I’ll bet it’s Chertoff- he’s already been through the confirmation process. He’s got a problem with Katrina- and will get some questions about his role- but that’s an hours worth of grief.
I think the senate will take him.
Then they need another homeland security puppet.
Respectfully disagree. Chertoff’s a smoke-screen. Boosh can’t afford having to have his admin subjected to two confirmation hearings, each of which will open up HUGE
cansdump-trucks of worms for the D’s to make hay with.P.S. Sorry about the mixed metaphor and the ‘wormy’ thing.
over on the Muck, someone anonymous has suggested answered subpoenas as a condition for confirmation. kind of plea deal that USA make all the time with (ahem) criminals who plead guilty.
@ 178
Nope. He can be replaced effective today if the Prez wants. He has already resigned.
Mutant Poodle @ 143
That’s it exactly. The track record of this administration coupled to that of the ineffective Congressional Dems is what is making me so cranky this morning. I would like to think that getting rid of Gonzo is the beginning of a brand new day, but with Bush in the White House, I have absolutely no reason to believe that will be the case…
CHS, please clarify if you have not already:
can the AG be a recess appointment?
Anyone,
what happens to the acts of impeachment being drafted? dead letter? interested because conserv. lawyer Fein was writing one and he was the author of one of Clinton’s. wld be great to see it/them.
From AP:
TiredFed @ 167
Resignation not effective until Sept 17..last thing that I heard..so no recess appointment.
Oklahoma kiddo @ 173
Even with a GOP appointment from Jodi Rell, that would be a relief. Not least because HoJoe would have to vacate his chair on the Senate HomSec Committee.
JEP @ 182
I see lots of little Republican heads exploding at the thought.
Oklahoma kiddo @ 173
The way they handle all matters of import. Spinelessly.
Steve-AR @ 177
HUH?! Have you heard him speak? Sure plays dumb/useless with extraordinarly skill, if he’s fakin’. s’all i can say….
I just listened to the Dianne Rehm show (WAMU-DC, http://www.wamu.org/programs/dr/) on the Gonzales resignation. They had a NYT reporter who spouted tepid CW, Republican operative Lee Casey who said exactly what you would expect, and honest conservative Bruce Fein who brought the only sanity to the discussion (he was great, btw). For gawd’s sake, this is NPR! I sent them this email:
“I’m listening to your show today in disbelief. The only person who is discussing the Gonzales situation with any honesty is Bruce Fein. Lee Casey is simply ridiculous with his line that there is no evidence of wrongdoing. There is vast and objective written evidence of wrong doing on multiple fronts. The problem is that the Bush Administration is playing rope-a-dope and refusing to cooperate with any investigations – and all trails have led to the White House. Bruce Fein has called repeatedly for impeachment of both Bush and Cheney due to their fundamental disrespect for the rule of law and the balance of powers required by the Constitution. Their behavior on the DOJ investigations is nearly exhibit A.
There were a number of experts on this issue you could have invited to participate in this discussion. For example, Josh Marshall at Talking Points Memo was widely credited in the traditional media for their investigations of the attorney firings that took the issue out of the shadows. He would have been a much more reasonable choice than the NYT reporter who seems pretty uninformed on the substance.”
This is inexcuseable. I would suggest that perhaps a letter writing campaign (respectful, of course) to WAMU and Dianne is in order.
BSRH – I’m sure the AG can be a recess appointment, but apparently Gonzo’s official leave day is in mid-September… so there probably won’t be any fuckery this week.
schumer live on cnn re gonzo
I don’t see how it will matter who Bush appoints. Unless our criminal prez has an epiphany, it will be bidness as usaul.
BlueStateRedHead @ 189
Is that the frequent anon poster at the Muck?
Because I like that approach. No consideration of Bush’s nominee until the WH shows respect for the law.
BlueStateRedHead @ 192
Even the Chief Justice can be a recess appointment. Lasts until this Congress ends. NO WAY TO STOP IT. But GOnzo can still be impeached.
Agree that there’s fuckery afoot.
Bush’s hoped-for legacy is permanent fascist government.
The fuckery has to do with the 2008 elections…and beyond.
musicsleuth @ 93
That’s my working theory at the moment.
Since Nacy Pelosi took impeaching the president off the table, al the good folks on the Hill were busy trying to cut deals to line up the votes to go after Gonzales or Karl.
Now 6 months of deal making has been wasted.
Dems got played AGAIN, b/c Nancy took impeachment of the PRes/VP off the table.
Schumer calling for “not a partisan, not a pal” for gonzo’s replacement.
That vacation colony in Paraguay is going to be huge.
perhaps 9/17 effective resignation date is a head-fake? watch out for a midnight insta-resignation plus recess appt.
Shumer: He needs to pick the best person, not his best friend.
Spot on!
Adie @ 196
I’ll leave that call to LHP.
Do you think Mr. Chertoff if appointed, will work as hard to convict the Bush crooks as he did on “Whitewater”?
wvng@199.
see my above on WBUR/NPR Boston. not as bad. but almost.
we need an Olberman for NPR. Marcie are you listening. NBS are YOU listening.
BlueStateRedHead @ 191
Yes, the AG can be filled by a recess appointment — which is different from naming an acting AG while someone else’s nomination proceeds. Of course, this would carry huge political baggage . . . like screwing up every other nomination Bush has pending now or in the future.
Acts of impeachment against AGAG would be dead. The penalty for impeachment is removal from office, and that’s already done via the resignation.
so who’s heading the Arabian Horse Association these days?
rwcole @ 161
I thought that very arrogant on Abu’s part.
schumer: sadly, the DOJ under this administration has less credibility than FEMA
Schumer’s shot at Chertoof: “under Gonzo, the DOJ has even less credibility than FEMA”.
Adie @ 160
From Leahy’s statement (someone quoted in an earlier thread), it doesn’t sound like this ends the investigations. Leahy said that the AG’s resignation is the start of understanding the politicization of the DOJ. He sounded quite feisty and made it clear that Gonzales’ departure is good for our country, but it doesn’t stop the scandal in its tracks.
Oh, Adie – ot: that program you mentioned the other day is crazy! No, I’ve never played both of those on the same concert, let alone the same half of a program. That’s very tough for all of the woodwinds, but especially for your sonny in the hotseat. May he have chops of steel and high Es singing out effortlessly.
Is he going for the Chicago job? I think I’m going to give it a whirl.
punaise @ 209
When does the Thanksgiving recess begin? Could Bush hold off making an appointment until then? The deal he supposedly made with Reid was only good for the August recess, I’m guessing.
Schumer is on cspan 1 now
twolf1 @ 200
You gotta love it. “Less creditability than FEMA”
Quebecois @ 207
Jenna could just have her wedding there and save everyone the travel expenses — what a reunion!
Steve-AR @ 177
I was thinking of the Katrina mess. Yeah, that was Brownie, but Chertoff was still in charge. My sister works at DHS and says things are a complet mess there.
Incompetence maybe is the wrong word. Ineffective loyalist is perhaps better.
Schumer’s doing okay, but names would help. Otherwise Bush can just say that ‘Chertoff stands for Rule of Law’, and it’s up to the Dems to say why he doesn’t fit the mark.
Concrete examples of independence from the WH, please.
From Gonzales’ resignation speech invocation of his father, one recall’s Nixon’s August 1974 farewell to the White House Staff: “I remember my old man…” launching into a strange public reverie.
Schumer: we just want someone who will put the law first
punaise @ 215
I think Michael Vick was recess appointed.
-GSD
TiredFed @ 156
No recess appointment — Gone-zo’s resignation effective 9/17 — and Congress will be in session at that time.
is abu’s head crooked?
that is the weirdest hairline I have ever seen… much to thick for a man his age who still produces testosterone me thinks
New CNN Quick Vote up “Did Attorney General Gonzales make the right decision by stepping down?”
Just over 5,400 votes so far – 86% say Yes.
pseudonymous in nc @ 57
Same here. I can only think of two teams with the power and leverage to get both Rove and Gonzo to resign: Poppy/Baker, or Cheney.
The Rove excuse, that Bolten wants people who won’t stay till the end out now, has me leaning marginally towards the Poppy/Baker hypothesis.
Someone mentioned Gillespie as a possible actor in this, but I don’t think he really has that level of influence.
From OJ to MJ and now Michael Vick,
this meaningless news just makes us all sick,
Its nothing but a contrived public spectacle,
To hide all the news that is truly political.
And the truth is turned into a riddle.
The media ignores the battles and bombs,
Reporting instead about dumb jocks and blondes,
yes, we are all being played like a fiddle.
The pompadour always gave me a sense of angst.
@203 and @204. Hi Tired Fed! As a relatively new pup,I count on your inexhaustible knowledge and power of clarification on head turning days like this.
re Anon. is just that, anon. but if it is the one we are thinking of he has shown real insight into the way things work in law and fed. administration. now how do we (Jane, Marcie, help here) get the message to the Senate?
I am checking Muck to see if he answered and will report back.
Nice pictures on MSNBC. Gonzo sitting behind Shrub, with Harriet Meiers next to him. The dream team. Not.
Gillespie is a message man. He’s not a power broker in that crowd. IMHO.
I still think this is the hand of Poppy trying to salvage his sons shitty little league game.
-GSD
You know what? It doesn’t really matter who is nominated for AG. There’s no way that person can restore the damage that’s already been done to the DoJ during the Bush administration. There’s not much time left for the Bush administration for that to be accomplished.
Schumer: wants someone at the DOJ who can help Senate investigations and come up with ways to fix things. Hopes for ‘the dawn of a new era for the Bush Administration’, with Rove and Gonzo gone. Yeah, right.
Oklahoma kiddo @ 176
Yeah, the Assisatnat Attorney General who helped write the Patriot Act.
The only guy who could be worse than Gonzo in terms of civl liberites. He will turn DOJ into Stasi.
Chertoff is apparently a competent lawyer- which doesn’t make him a competent administrator.
punaise @ 215
Next up at DHS?
dakine01 @ 231
The question assumes Gonzo made the decision.
I’ll almost miss Gonzo. Each time he testified, it was almost as revealing of the arrongance, criminality, and incompetence of the Bush Administration as were Abu Gharib and Katrina.
1,580 DAYZ AND THE KILLIN’ GOEZ ON AND ON AND..
Citizen Hardin Smith and the Firepup Patriots:
First of all a quick genuflection in your direction for another act of citizenship and patriotism and, might I add, JOURNALISM on behalf of us great unwashed out here. Thanx dear!
Now, based on the information and speculation advanced in the last few posts, it appears that a large fault-line has opened in the ruling oligarchy and the Bush-antiClinton-western oil proto-fascists have finally caved in to the old line Yankee banking forces. I believe that if Chertoff is advanced and confirmed as Attorney General, then we know that the fix is in and the oligarchy is casting its lot with Mrs. Clinton.
I find Schumer’s mealy-mouthed response to the idea of a Chertoff nomination to be chilling and I am drawn to Reid’s pre-recess meeting with the Chimperor when Reid supposedly got the committment not to advance any recess appointments.
If Chertoff is advanced and wins Democratic support, then we know that the Democratic leadership is in the pocket of the Murdoch-Rockefeller axis of evil and the Democratic Party nominee for president has been chosen for us…ain’t that pretty??!!
KEEP THE FAITH AND REMEMBER: YOU DON’T NEGOTIATE WITH FASCISTS!!
Schumer: doesn’t think it is coincidence that Abu is leaving shortly after Rove….
GSD @ 235
seems to be too little, too late.
anne @ 246
he must be reading our comments
looseheadprop @ 240
Perhaps that’s the point.
Salon.com:
Anybody else smell a recess appointment in the air?
twolf1 @ 241
Yeah, well, you know that and I know that but pretenses must still be maintained doncha know…
None of the asshole buddy team has worked out well for the shrubster.
He promoted em all six steps above their level of competence- they got taken down tryin ta cover his sorry ass.
Oklahoma kiddo @ 173
I think that would be great. He would be no worse than anyone else Bush would nominate and it would get him out of the Senate!
Administrative doubts about Chertoff, based upon ‘worrysome’ record at DHS. Also questions over ‘rule of law first’, based upon Chertoff’s legal history. Wouldn’t say yes, wouldn’t say no. ‘It’s hardly a slam dunk. There are some names that would be a slam dunk.’ Will be quietly suggesting names to the WH, doesn’t want to create a division by having a ‘Democratic name’.
rwcole @ 241
If he is a competent lawyer, then he must be a corrupt one, given that he gave Chiquita the A-OK to keep paying off paramilitaries in Colombia in clear violation of federal law.
OldCoastie @ 247
something had to have happened, something new was about to be made public and the president’s hand was forced
the president cannot afford to allow a confirmed ag, there is something big that happened, we may never know what it was, perhaps the deal was brokered to prevent the embarrassment but this is an event the adminstration cannot afford to allow unless they had no choice
Pete Bogs @ 86
Comedy fodder.
Biodun @ 238
I commented on a previous thread about the timing of this. Tick-tock, tick-tock goes the lame duck clock.
Steve-AR @ 177
Chertoff is brilliant. Harvard/harvard, clerked in the US Supreme Court, was ans AUSA in SDNY (and yes he was that skinny and wizened even as young guy), became USA in New Jersey. Was a Federal judge (very controversial in how he handled his courtroom and many complaints from the bar, though), ans was Asst. AG.
The guy has the brains and the resume–but he is completely amoral, ruthless and really would embrace a police state–because he thinks that it would make “good” people safer.
He was talking that way back in the 1980’s!!!
OT – HRC, Lance Armstrong and Tweety live on MSNBC – Livestrong Pres. Cancer Forum
jayt @ 188
ewwww.
Some talk about Orin Hatch as a possible replacement. His highest-ranking press staff recently quit to work at Justice Department. Per MSNBC interview with reporter for “The Hill.”
Steve-AR.
You’re prolly right about ch**topf. It’s just that I’m kinda stunned. He truly truly plays “dumb as a post” quite commendably, sigh.
he strikes me like a wanna-be tryin’ ta copy wo#lsey. now THERE’s a creepy one! – sets my antennae a-buzzin’ every time I see ‘im.
btw, I don’t doubt the amoral label for one sec.
Gotta be spot-on! Good call. Certified creep, smart or dumb, make no nevermind…
must be a repug factory someplace where they stamp out these creepycrawlers 24/7. *shudder*
punaise @ 250
it’s an inspiring read.
Chertoff looks like a corpse- other than that- he’s ready to rock and roll.
Does he have a twin? Who’s the other uber gooper lawyer who was advising the swift boaters?
BlueStateRedHead @ 235
Call your Senators — Congress is recessed at the moment, which means your Senators should be ‘in state’ at the moment. You’ll can get their phone numbers by Googling on their names.
I’m with the previous poster that thinks it odd that Bush isn’t standing with soon to be ex-AGAG.
He stood by Rove, but seems to be distancing himself from Gonzales.
The other shoe probably did drop, we might not ever find out what it was.
Brisingamen @ 267
not lying in state, one presumes. then again…
Boo Radley @ 101
Long Answer: You mean like how Congress stood up to Bush over the ‘Protect America Act’?
Short Answer: No.
IMHO, BushCo has pulled off the ‘Crime(s) of the Century’. Now they just sit back and reap. In this circumstance, lack of conscience has served them well. Sigh.
I first learned to dislike Chertoff as the Republican Counsel in the Senate Whitewater Hearings. He played the same position Fred Thompson had played in the Watergate Hearings. Recalling the Whitewater hearings, I don’t see how anyone could think Chertoff was somehow allied with the Clintons.
Breaking News:
Barney the Dog also announces resignation. Effective in three weeks.
Wants to spend more time with family. Misses the warmth and intelligence.
looseheadprop @ 260
The guy has the brains and the resume–but he is completely amoral, ruthless and really would embrace a police state–because he thinks that it would make “good” people safer.
He was talking that way back in the 1980’s!!!
So, which Dems most need to read Greenwald’s column today?
Just because the AG is leaving doesn’t mean that the ‘Adventures of Alberto and Harriet’ won’t continue in re-runs. Especially if the GOP figures out (Rove electoral mischief in Cali) a way to once again, via typical Republican chicanery, how to capture the WH in ‘08.
looseheadprop @ 240
Glad to have you back on-thread, lhp. Boy-oh-boy, you can’t even step out to the gym for a sec. w/o all h&## breakin’ out.
Seriously, hope you’re doing well these days. ;->
Glenn points out Drudge and Politico both keep mentioning a “recess appointment” but have taken it down, in Politico’s case, they have reported, then removed it, twice.
OldCoastie @ 200
Any appointee can be recess appointed but I think the Sept 17 date may block that. There’s a lot of discussion of what “vacant” means in this context. Tired Fed seems to think it applies here so I don’t know. TF. If he’s there till the 17′th how is the post not vacant?
If there was to be a recess appointment, there would be no reason to make the date of the resignation 9/16.. Looks as if the senate will have it’s advice and consent role.
1,580 DAYZ AND THE KILLIN’ GOEZ ON AND ON AND..
Citizen perris and the Firepup Patriots:
“Something had to have happened, something new was about to be made public and the president’s hand was forced.”
Right on, Citizen perris…right on,kid!! If Chertoff is advanced and confirmed as attorney General, then I will agree with you that “we may (readwill) never know what it was.” This is the opening for which we have been waiting so long…the confirmation hearings can be the open window through which democracy can come flying into the living rooms of every American family.
KEEP THE FAITH AND PASS THE AMMUNITION, THE BATTLE AIN’T NEARLY OVER!!
It wasn’t the Democrats who got rid of Rove and Gonzales, it was the Republicans. Fitz wouldn’t be my first choice, but he would be very acceptable to both parties.
BigMitch @ 263
I’m trying to visualize confirmation hearings, & it’s werry werry difficult. Brain keeps screaming, “ABORT! ReBOOT! Do NOT Report Error!”
As per usual, much appreciated lhp.
I don’t understand why Oren Hatch would be willing to give up his sinecure for 17 months as AG.
In this case, there’s really no mystery about why Gonzo got booted- the only mystery is why they waited this long.
He was an albatross.
rwcole @ 279
I was wondering about that, thank you.
pma @ 284
personal desire/need to keep the lid on this roiling pot of soured sop?
Don’t know who is making these projections about sitting senators taking the AG job- but they must be smokin something. This administration is all but dead- they’re on life support!
Whover takes this job is not on the e-ride to greatness- they’re on a short trip to a chop shop.
Chertoff/Chiquita
Chertoff was a signer on the PNAC letter.
Clusterfuck is clearing the decks to work on his “legacy”. Made everyone take a bath.. They still stink.
Maybe so, but I would think if the Repubs were that desparate, they would choose a less valuable sacrifice to play the clock out.
Adie @ 287
IMVHO, this was Bush’s
f*ck youresponse to Warner’s ultimatum yesterday on MTP.Next up- the Bush appointee to head up coal mining about ta get a procto exam in public.
Ain’t it bout time for the HEAD Clusterfucker to make his statement?
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel is reporting that Solicitor General, Paul Clement will take over for AGAG as interim AG.
1,580 DAYZ AND THE KILLIN’ GOEZ ON AND ON AND..
Citizen rwcole and the Firepup Patriots:
“I don’t know who is making these projections about sitting senators taking the AG job-but they must be smoking something.”
Absolutely right…you are also absolutely right about the recess appointment though I think we had a hint that something was up when Reid met with the junta at the Whitehouse and announced that there was a committment for no recess appointments. The your reasoning about the effective date nails it.
As for a L*kuderman nomination…not so much, he ain’t gunna give up 5 more years in the Senate no matter which party he hasta represent. Look for Joementum to be rehabilitated by Mrs. Clinton in the Democratic Party if she wins.
KEEP THE FAITH AND REMEMBER: YOU DON’T NEGOTIATE WITH FACISTS!!
~~~ModNote: Edited for content to clear filters.~~~
Yep, per GWB, “fine honorable man’s name dragged through mud for partisan political reasons.” I just wonder why Bush feels he can now do without this stonewall between him and investigations.
pma @ 297
Fielding and Addington?
Speaking of investigations…what about this break-in at Chris Dodd’s office. The burglars went to a great deal of trouble to get in there. Baby Watergate??
musicsleuth @ 93
Says who? The only Cabinet official ever to be impeached was Secretary of War William Belknap, who was unanimously impeached after he had already resigned.
FRN @ 300
Ooh, they can do that? Nifty.
1,580 DAYZ AND THE KILLIN’ GOEZ ON AND ON AND..
Citizen pma:
“I just wonder why Bush feels he can now do without this stonewall between him and investigations.”
Good question but I think it is answered by the phrase “impeachment is off the table.” There have been some serious knock-down drag-out fights these last few weeks between the factions of the oligarchy and I think that the Murdoch-Rockefeller faction offered the Chimp the guarantee of no impeachment as a Linus blanket if he just shuts the fuck up for the next 15 months.
KEEP THE FAITH AND PASS THE AMMUNITION, THE FASCISTS ARE STILL RUNNIN THE SHOW!!
pma @ 297
because he realized congress doesn’t have any gonads.
punaise @ 209
exactamundo!
1,580 DAYZ AND THE KILLIN’ GOEZ ON AND ON AND..
Firepup Patriots:
Today is a great day for progressives and the next few days will tell us a lot about where we need to focus our energies to win the battle to restore constitutional government in this country.
In my opinion, the anti-Bush pro-Clinton faction of the oligarchy represented by Murdoch and the Rockefeller insitutions has won the day in the battle for control of what happens next. If the progressives in the Democratic Party can succeed in blowin’ the breath of truth through the open window of confirmation hearings, then I think we have a great chance to de-rail the Clinton locamotive for succession.
But what happened today just clarifies where the fascists are puttin’ their money for ‘08. Mrs. Clinton must be stopped…
KEEP THE FAITH AND REMEMBER YOU DON’T NEGOTIATE WITH FASCISTS!!
Poor Shumer. He’s going to “quietly” help the king pick an AG; and the king may have an epiphany and act like a grown-up. Laugh of the day.
Cornyn has all Gonzales’s attributes, and then some. Bestest lapdog ever to guard the king’s secrets.
looseheadprop @ 206
I don’t recall her specifying that impeachment of the Veep was off the table. I thought she was only referring to the Prez.
Cite?
looseheadprop @ 206
Sorry! But you are both wrong…one can still impeach a resigned official…in fact it was done with Secretary of War William Worth Belknap. Belknap resigned while hearings were occurring in the House over whether he should have articles of impeachment voted upon. The House debated whether he could evade impeachment through resignation and voted almost unanimously that he could not escape the process as the Constitution holds that impeachment also precludes someone convicted from holding FUTURE office of “honor, trust or profit”
The Senate held the same thing but by a smaller majority…but when the actual vote on the articles of impeachment occurred..several Senators decided that Belknap’s resignation was sufficient, and joined with those who considered the action Unconstitutional. Belknap thus was not convicted ~ despite the legal issue of the Constitutionality of the act being decided already.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_W._Belknap