TPM Muckraker

« previous | MUCK HOME | next »

Today's Must Read

Ah, the lessons learned.

So. As we ready ourselves for the congressional hearings today, during which an already raging scandal will get a full airing, we hear from Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, who tells The Wall Street Journal what all this has taught him: "We could have rolled out the decisions more smoothly."

Put this together with the "acknowledgment" by White House officials that "the administration mishandled the firings by not explaining more clearly to lawmakers that a large group was being terminated at once -- which is unusual -- and that the reason was the policy performance review," and it's clear that this scandal is nothing more than a PR failure, at least in the administration's view.

But let's gauge the PR failure moving into today's hearings. Today, in just one morning of reporting, we find out from McClatchy that a Justice Department official threatened the U.S. attorneys that if they continued to talk about the circumstances of their firing, "previously undisclosed details about the reasons they were fired might be released"; The Washington Post reports that Rep. Heather Wilson (R-NM) has finally admitted that she called U.S. Attorney David Iglesias to question him about his office's investigation of a state Democrat -- though she risibly argues that she was trying to help Iglesias, not pressure him; The New York Times reports that another U.S. attorney says that he was run out of office for pursuing a corruption investigation of Maryland Gov. Bob Ehrlich (R); and the senior Justice official who, apparently reluctantly, made the actual calls to fire seven of the prosecutors, has resigned in the midst of the scandal, though he says his resignation is unrelated.

Yes, I'd say the decisions could have been rolled out more smoothly.


361 Comments

| Leave a comment
user-pic

Does anyone feel as I do? that we are going to see every loophole used by the "newconvict, see; neocon, to remove those that don't agree with them?
this isn't our america, this is what hitler would have preferred. you are doing him proud dick

user-pic

Are these hearings going to be on C-Span?

user-pic

What's so awful about this is my awareness that my own tolerance level has changed. This is horrifying to me and yet, no longer surprising. Given my fierce progressive commitment, it is disturbing that I read something like this and think "Right. So what's new?"

And if this extraordinary behavior is not surprising to me any longer, then on some level it's become normalized. So now I'm already part-way down that slippery slope.

It's agonizing because I fear this may be true for most Americans. The bar's been reset -- and now we're all re-stooping to accommodate the newest reality. What next? And what do we do, aside from express moral indignation?

This morning, with this news, I'm just stumped.

user-pic

US foriegn policy used to be a PR failure too, according to the administration. We'd be winning if the Iraqi's understood that we were bringing freedom. And if the media at home reported the good things that happened.

Sadly, Alberto is probably right. If they had done the firing gradually over half a year, it may not have gotten a splash in the news.

user-pic

Yep, the problem isn't that they fired 7 (8?) US Attorneys for political reasons. The problem is that they didn't spin it right.

Seriously, this is so bizarre. The problem isn't the problem, the problem is that we didn't hide the problem well enough. How brazen!

user-pic

As I get tired of saying, the Bush & Co. only understands a whack on the side of the head with a meatphorical 2x4. When Gonzalez is subpoenaed and is caught lying and gets sentenced, he may understand what he has done wrong. Ditto with Cheney and Bush. Until that happens it's still yattica, yattic, talk and more talk. The subpoenas, starting with the attorneys and going up the ladder, are a real start. But Gonzalez should have been compelled to testify under oath first, after which the attorneys could tell their story; the logic is wrong hopefully it will work out to put some teeth into punishment for these miscreants.

user-pic

Build the case to impeach Gonzales. He's got less grasp of the law and the Constitution than a basic, politically elected Texas Justice of the Peace. I never thought anyone could make me look back with some fondness for John Ashcroft, but Alberto manages.

user-pic

Amazing! Our illustrious AG sees it all as a just another failure in PR that prevented his dept from hiding his pogrom from the prying eyes of the Dem congress and who knows who.
This guy must be made to testify under oath.
We must make a public record of this brazen attempt to suppress the prosecution of Bush cronies.

user-pic

Is it wrong that my instant answer to the headline was "next time, make it look like an accident/"

user-pic

Of course this is their reaction. EVERYTHING is PR to them. Policy based on politics.

user-pic

I am wondering how members of Congress even learn about these investigations to begin with. What business is it of theirs? Were they told by the administration to pressure these US Attorneys? Did Gonzales tell them? Who told them about these investigations that ended up with them making the phone calls?

user-pic

Clearly, this is an administration unaccustomed to Congressional oversight.

user-pic

Similarly fumbled PR problems:

a. Torture
b. Gitmo
c. Katrina
d. Walter Reed etc.
e. Eavesdropping

Just a sample. The list goes on!!!

user-pic

Credit must be given to the prez us(l)urper for having the ability to appoint the absolute worst sleazebags to every possible position.

user-pic

Credit must be given to the prez us(l)urper for having the ability to appoint the absolute worst sleazebags to every possible position.

user-pic

"...rolled out the decisions more smoothly"

???

It sounds like he is bringing a line of panty hose to fashion week in Milan.

Sounds a little like andy Card and his "roll out" of product.

To BushCo these aren't people, they are pawns to be moved at their leisure to satisfy twisted neocon political goals, win a news cycle or get revenge.

user-pic

Ooooh. It's not the "performance" review on which the USA's got failing marks, it was the "policy performance" review. Whyyy didn't you say so? Now close your eyes, click your heels three times, and say, there's no place like the BushWorld, there's no place like BushWorld, there's no place...

user-pic

It's because they feel justified in doing whatever it is they want to do. They don't see themselves as getting away with anything, they believe in their own righteousness. Thus, whenever anyone else has a problem with it, it's that they just don't understand the situation. And that's a PR problem. Obviously, if it had been explained properly, people would see that (as always) the administration was doing things properly.

If you start from the premise that W is always right, it all makes sense.

user-pic

Can I just say one word in defense of Gonzales, Heather and Dom:

Duh----

user-pic

For the love of God, the problem isn't that the administration is getting its hair mussed because of this. The problem is that the administration chose to purge talented USAs because said attorneys could not be manipulated by political pressure - you know, they chose to blindly uphold justice, which is like, their fucking constitutional duty!

To these skunks and traitors, the only virture is retaining the power they've stolen - at any cost. I only hope Congress continues to "drain the swamp" of all of the filth.

user-pic

Using the DOJ as a cover, this is nothing but further open contempt by the White House and some congressional members for all Americans and our Constitution.

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

user-pic

Man, I don't know what's going on in the hearing right now but this guy is just ranting and wasting time.

user-pic

The first step to draining the swamp should the expulsion of both Wilson and Domenici from the Congress for their actions are clearly in violation of House and Senate ethics rules as well as a violation of the Constitutional separation of powers. Then, the second step will be for Congress to refuse to fun DOJ for the upcoming fiscal year until such time as Gonzales has resigned. Unfortunately, the biggest swamp slimeballs would be cleared out until 1/20/09.

Who would have thought that Dubya's place in history will be noted by his destruction of the GOP. I guess there is a silver lining in every cloud.

user-pic

At some point I expect sufficient members of Congress, probably with the aid of junior staff or an intern, will remember their oath of office, including the part about defending the US Constitution.

"Duty, Honor, Country" demands it.

user-pic


The simple fact is that this administration considers itself to be above the law, so it should be no suprise to anyone to find out that it has no problem using the law and firing US attorneys for political advantage.

Gonzales and others like him are nothing but thugs and liars who were appointed for that very reason - because they don't have a concience or any sense of decency. All the decent people who were once in this administration are gone, while the worst of them have been duly promoted.

Our govenment - at least the executive branch -operates more like a crime family.

user-pic

I'm familiar with a typical human resources "performance review," but what is a "policy performance" review? Are White House officials saying that the attorneys were dismissed because they weren't performing to White House policy standards?

user-pic

My question is how many USA's bent to pressure and what was the result. Now there is a can of worms because some no doubt did....

user-pic

Alex: you said make it look like an accident next time. Were you referring to the still unsolved murders of two different Assistant US Attorneys? Both looked like professional hits designed to send a message.

The two are named Luna and Wales. Luna was Asst USA for the USA in the news today from Maryland.

The FBI investigated both murders and never came up with anyone. For the Luna murder, they kept blaming the media. Given that the Ehrlich admin had ties to Abramoff (see Ehrlich's chief of staff), this all becomes even more interesting.

user-pic

Oops. I was just going to sarcastically suggest that Gonzalez take a few tips from Putin the Poisoner, but maybe he already has.

user-pic

This, in addition to the Libby conviction, is one more arrow in the bullseye. But, I have to agree with voice. especially, after having lived through the Nixon era. Sometimes, I just feel emotionally dead about all of this. At yet, I have an overwhelming sence of schadenfreude.

user-pic

Could it be just like every other Federal Organization, during this Bush War, no Money? Can't do any new hiring, support getting low, personnel overworked, not paid overtime. Crime going up and with no money to take them to trial it's deal or no deal.

user-pic

You know, this administration is hanging itself. It is continually making bad choices in politics, in international relations, in dealing with the American people. As one article I read said - it is not incompetence, it is that this administration willfully chooses aggressive polices, executes them as ordered by the Real Decider(tm) and Decider Jr.(tm), and then is shocked, shocked, that someone gets upset that they are no obeying the law.

I do not wish any harm to any member of this administration - I just want them to be forced to watch F-Troop and Gomer Pyle USMC re-runs for the rest of their lives in a very small room.

user-pic

I visited your web site.
Ok! Beautyful.
I visited your web site.
Ok! Beautyful.
It's fine.
This is super.

user-pic

It's fine.
And my grandpa is a train finatic.
Is cool and to say hello.
Glad to see other.
Moon Freddie.
Ok! Best regards!

user-pic

Super!
Moon Freddie.
Sample design...
Moon Freddie.
Super!
Fine!

user-pic

Sample design...
It's vonderful.
Glad to see other.
This is super.
Thanks.
Sample design...

user-pic

Fine!
Checking in to see if everybody.
Fabulous Website!
Ok! Beautyful.
Moon Freddie.
It's fine.

user-pic

Ok! Best regards!
Moon Freddie.

user-pic

Glad to see other.
Ok! Master!

user-pic

The Best.
Fine!

user-pic

Thanks.
Ok! Beautyful.

user-pic

qvwrfgt byqxel tevmurj ufzcx tsczjurio rwbl zmgeqo

user-pic

qvwrfgt byqxel tevmurj ufzcx tsczjurio rwbl zmgeqo

user-pic

Glad to see other.
Sample design...

user-pic

It's fine.
I really enjoyed your page.

user-pic

Is cool and to say hello.
Thanks.

user-pic

It's fine.
Ok! Master!

user-pic

Glad to see other.
The Best.

user-pic

Glad to see other.
Sample design...

user-pic

Sample design...
It is very creative.

user-pic

Glad to see other.
I really enjoyed your page.

user-pic

Ok! Best regards!
Is cool and to say hello.

user-pic

I visited your web site.
I visited your web site.

user-pic

Glad to see other.
Ok! Beautyful.

user-pic

Glad to see other.
Moon Freddie.

user-pic

Looks interesting.
This is super.

user-pic

Glad to see other.
It's fine.

user-pic

Checking in to see if everybody.
Super!

user-pic

And my grandpa is a train finatic.
Fabulous Website!

user-pic

And my grandpa is a train finatic.
Looks interesting.

user-pic

I visited your web site.
It's vonderful.

user-pic

Its the second time.
And my grandpa is a train finatic.

user-pic

Thanks.
And my grandpa is a train finatic.

user-pic

And my grandpa is a train finatic.
It's vonderful.

user-pic

Glad to see other.
The Best.

user-pic

cheap@viagra.com

user-pic

cheap@viagra.com

user-pic

cheap@viagra.com

user-pic

cheap@viagra.com

user-pic

cheap@viagra.com

user-pic

cheap@viagra.com

user-pic

cheap@viagra.com

user-pic

sale@mp3.com

user-pic

cheap@viagra.com

user-pic

cheap@levitra.com

user-pic

cheap@viagra.com

user-pic

cheap@viagra.com

user-pic

cheap@levitra.com

user-pic

cheap@levitra.com

user-pic

cheap@levitra.com

user-pic

cheap@levitra.com

user-pic

cheap@viagra.com

user-pic

cheap@viagra.com

user-pic

cheap@viagra.com

user-pic

cheap@viagra.com

user-pic

cheap@viagra.com

user-pic

cheap@viagra.com

user-pic

cheap@viagra.com

user-pic

cheap@viagra.com

user-pic

cheap@viagra.com

user-pic

cheap@viagra.com

user-pic

cheap@viagra.com

user-pic

cheap@viagra.com

user-pic

cheap@levitra.com

user-pic

cheap@levitra.com

user-pic

cheap@levitra.com

user-pic

cheap@levitra.com

user-pic

cheap@viagra.com

user-pic

cheap@viagra.com

user-pic

cheap@viagra.com

user-pic

cheap@viagra.com

user-pic

cheap@viagra.com

user-pic

cheap@viagra.com

user-pic

cheap@viagra.com

user-pic

cheap@viagra.com

user-pic

cheap@viagra.com

user-pic

cheap@viagra.com

user-pic

cheap@levitra.com

user-pic

cheap@levitra.com

user-pic

cheap@levitra.com

user-pic

cheap@levitra.com

user-pic

cheap@viagra.com

user-pic

cheap@viagra.com

user-pic

cheap@viagra.com

user-pic

cheap@viagra.com

user-pic

cheap@viagra.com

user-pic

cheap@viagra.com

user-pic

cheap@viagra.com

user-pic

cheap@viagra.com

user-pic

cheap@viagra.com

user-pic

cheap@viagra.com

user-pic

cheap@viagra.com

user-pic

cheap@levitra.com

user-pic

cheap@levitra.com

user-pic

cheap@levitra.com

user-pic

cheap@viagra.com

user-pic

cheap@viagra.com

user-pic

cheap@viagra.com

user-pic

cheap@viagra.com

user-pic

cheap@viagra.com

user-pic

cheap@viagra.com

user-pic

cheap@viagra.com

user-pic

cheap@viagra.com

user-pic

cheap@viagra.com

user-pic

cheap@viagra.com

user-pic

cheap@viagra.com

user-pic

cheap@viagra.com

user-pic

cheap@levitra.com

user-pic

cheap@levitra.com

user-pic

cheap@levitra.com

user-pic

cheap@levitra.com

user-pic

cheap@viagra.com

user-pic

cheap@viagra.com

user-pic

cheap@viagra.com

user-pic

cheap@viagra.com

user-pic

cheap@viagra.com

user-pic

cheap@viagra.com

user-pic

cheap@viagra.com

user-pic

cheap@viagra.com

user-pic

cheap@viagra.com

user-pic

cheap@viagra.com

user-pic

cheap@viagra.com

user-pic

cheap@viagra.com

user-pic

cheap@levitra.com

user-pic

cheap@levitra.com

user-pic

cheap@levitra.com

user-pic

cheap@levitra.com

user-pic

cheap@viagra.com

user-pic

cheap@viagra.com

user-pic

cheap@viagra.com

user-pic

cheap@viagra.com

user-pic

cheap@viagra.com

user-pic

cheap@viagra.com

user-pic

cheap@viagra.com

user-pic

cheap@viagra.com

user-pic

cheap@viagra.com

user-pic

cheap@viagra.com

user-pic

cheap@viagra.com

user-pic

cheap@viagra.com

user-pic

cheap@levitra.com

user-pic

cheap@levitra.com

user-pic

cheap@levitra.com

user-pic

cheap@levitra.com

user-pic

cheap@viagra.com

user-pic

cheap@viagra.com

user-pic

cheap@viagra.com

user-pic

cheap@viagra.com

user-pic

cheap@viagra.com

user-pic

cheap@viagra.com

user-pic

cheap@viagra.com

user-pic

cheap@viagra.com

user-pic

cheap@viagra.com

user-pic

cheap@viagra.com

user-pic

cheap@viagra.com

user-pic

cheap@viagra.com

user-pic

cheap@levitra.com

user-pic

cheap@levitra.com

user-pic

cheap@levitra.com

user-pic

cheap@levitra.com

user-pic

cheap@viagra.com

user-pic

cheap@viagra.com

user-pic

cheap@viagra.com

user-pic

cheap@viagra.com

user-pic

cheap@viagra.com

user-pic

cheap@viagra.com

user-pic

cheap@viagra.com

user-pic

cheap@viagra.com

user-pic

cheap@viagra.com

user-pic

cheap@viagra.com