Heckuva job, Fredo.

And I suppose 'I don't recall' just about counts as an answer by the low standards of BushCo.

I only wish that we didn't have to wait until Monday to see The Daily Show's full coverage of the hearing.

It will be interesting to see the Bush water carriers on Hardball etc, try to point to even one soundbite where Fredo actually sounds credible.

No big surprise today. Gonzales cotniue to be the water boy for partisan driven incompetency and mediocrity. GWB benefits by continued political to his failed policy in Iraq and other issues that are on the back burner (the NSA's warrantless searches of americans' e-mails and phone records). This will drag on and justice will undoubtedly suffer as even my pug would laugh at and/or piss on the the leg of any once respected US Attorney with impunity.

Incompetence judging Incompetence

"Pleased"...

What, that he didn't break down and start bawling his eyes out?!?!

Bush: "[H]e (Gonzales) answered all the Senators' questions."???

WTF?

Did anyone tell Bush that "I don't recall" is NOT a valid answer?

Bush has been bleeding for months because of Gonzales. So why doesn't he fire him? And why, in fact, is he doing his "heckuva job" dance with this absurd press release?

This goes beyond Bush's much-vaunted "loyalty." Bush gave up on loyalty (as well as any pretense of honesty) with the Rumsfeld firing.

The only reason that Bush can be protecting Gonzales so fiercely is that Gonzales has the goods on what Bush personally knew and when he knew it regarding the firings.

This would also explain why AGAG was supposedly memory-impaired about a conversation with Bush on this issue. Gonzales was attempting to protect the President, and Bush is playing along.

They are in a tangled "knot" (security word) together.

Why wouldn't he be pleased that his bootlicker lied to protect him. Nice indication of the utter and complete disrespect Righty truly has for the rule of law.

I have to wonder why the President is "pleased" with Gonzo's performance? bush cant fire Gonzo as Gonzo knows where all the bones are buried. Gonzo coild tear down Bush's presidency.

it would be game set point.

Bush is boxed into a corner.

Many dont believe in the DOJ and even feweer believe in Gonzo.
however Bush has to hold Gonzo close and even closer.

how your friends close but hold your enemies closer.

Gonzo is now an "enemy" but Bush has to keep him closer.

I could be wrong, but I really don't expect a Gonzales resignation anytime soon. If he leaves, it won't put out the fires, and instead there will be a new AG to choose and confirmation hearings to deal with, both of which are likely to be nightmarish for the administration. Another syncophant, if nominated, would run into a buzz saw at the hearings, while an AG of any integrity would be a direct legal threat to Republicans in or out of the administration. Leaving that aside, confirmation hearings would also be a forum for Democrats bringing up lots of other embarassing business.

Even more important than any of that, though, is the fact that dumping Gonzales would be a personal affront to Bush, at least in his mind. A rational president would have dumped Gonzales over the side well before he had to submit to the flaying that we saw today. But Bush likes his man and doesn't feel like letting anyone push him into firing him, so he may just give everyone the finger and keep Gonzales on.

Rumsfeld "pleased"?

The Medal of Freedom's being clear-coated as we speak.

How about a quick up-and-down vote on impeaching Gonzales for conspiracy to obstruct justice? If Bush is pleased with AGAG, there is no other choice.

And if AGAG resigns the night before the vote, impeach him anyway. Then subpoena AGAG the next day in order to find what was in those conversations with Bush.

I'm afraid it's up to the Democrats to hang tough and withstand the Orwellian logic coming our way (obfuscation=transparency, etc.). How is the MSM sufficiently roused that they don't simply buy into AGAG's "BUrden's not on me"??? We've already had weeks of the "no real evidence" meme--that grotesque simulation of hard-nosed skepticism is just what the MSM likes to think is doing its job.

security code: hope (hope for the best)

please, can someone post a link to the full audio podcast??? so important!

FWIW.

CBS news is _still_ running "36% say AG Gonzales should quit" on their front page and as the headline to their article. However, the article and the graph of the data both say more or less the opposite, i.e. that roughly 30% say AG AG should stay. Dumb. Intentional? All the heads and subheads are wrong and it's been running all day.

This press release sounds like pretty standard boilerplate and would have been released regardless of his performance. I think the reactions in the room, as reported by CNN and others, are a more accurate picture of the reaction from the administration.

Although "like clubbing a baby seal" may have been over the top.

This press release was probably written in February; it has no recognition of the lack of responsiveness and coherence of AG's testimony.

And I'd note that either the grammar is incorrect or they're distancing themselves from AG.

"The Attorney General... appreciates the work he is doing at the Department of Justice to help keep our citizens safe from terrorists, our children safe from predators, our government safe from corruption, and our streets free from gang violence."

Bush HAS to keep Gonzo..it does two things. First it ensures that the incompetence continues. Second, if he "cuts away the cancer on the Presidency", like Nixon, then he leaves himself exposed! (I think he will do anything not to make this 'watergate' mistake!)

However, in choosing to keep him (indeed praise him) he only illustrates that he has no real concern for competency. Again.

(Gonzo did a great job for Bush; he didn't overtly implicate the WH; & he took all reponsibility!)

I'm of two minds here - It's a real treat to watch the AG do a 100 megawatt flop and twitch, but it's truly clear it's time for him to go.

On the other hand, the AG has zero credibility with anyone who matters, so it's unlikely he can do too much more harm, and most importantly the is a galactic level drain on the Bushies.

Sort of a tough choice. Maybe we have a bit of both worlds and a nice long drawn out impeachment.

Holy schneiky dudes. It's a frikin' puppet show. These bozos don't even care to keep up a semblance of factuality as long as they believe they control the message. Remember Bush waaaay back in 2000 during the debates? Anyone with one good discerning eye and a patch could tell he was lying through his teeth. It served to prove Barnum correct. Play to the suckers. Continues to this day. I love it. Security code: frikinpuppetshow

The White House chump who wrote that press release could say that only because Bush didn't see any of the testimony.

Click on my name to see Dana Perino's statement from earlier this afternoon:

"Of course, the President has not seen any of that testimony. As I told you, he's had a busy morning, and now we're on our way to Tipp City, Ohio."

(h/t to BarbinMD at the Kos)

Alberto is just relieved he didn't need CPR before leaving Capitol Hill.

Apologies are fine, but only when coupled with contrition and a demonstrable willingness to change. The Bush administration has perfected a professional “apology” that contains neither. Like its version of “accountability”, its version of “apology” no longer has meaning.

A Bush apology won’t restore Ms. Plame’s anonymity, though he hasn’t made one to her for the damage caused by his subordinates. It will not restore the dignity to government employees shorn of their union protections. It will not restore Georgia Thompson’s home or career, or the credibility of Mr. Gonzales’ Justice Department, any more than it will restore freedom to those mistakenly or brazenly and wrongly held in Mr. Bush’s secret prisons.

If sincere apologies were not enough to save the USA careers of Mr. Iglesias or Ms. Lam, a Bush apology from Mr. Gonzales should not be enough to save him from the dismissal and ignominy he so richly deserves.

If Gonzalez were to resign, I'd expect Bush to go either with an Acting AG for the rest of his term or a recess appointment. There's no way he can afford confirmation hearings of anyone who wouldn't be a danger to him and his cronies.

There's one thing I learned from this saga:

Karl Rove is the real guy who's running our country behind the scene.

Bush and Gonzales are just puppets.

"he appreciates the work he is doing at the Department of Justice to help keep our citizens safe from terrorists, our children safe from predators, our government safe from corruption, and our streets free from gang violence."

hmmm...no mention of the AG's handling of immigration issues...might have to replace him with a loyal bushie!

Gonzales' testimony today was truly cringe-worthy.

CNN: GONZALES TO APPOINT JUSTICE CZAR

Recognizing the need for someone capable of running the affairs of the Department of Justice, Albert Gonzales, the Attorney General, will appoint a justice czar. When asked whom he had in mind, Mr. Gonzales replied, "I don't know."

"The only reason that Bush can be protecting Gonzales so fiercely is that Gonzales has the goods on what Bush personally knew and when he knew it regarding the firings."

Posted by: Bluebeard

Close. But it isn't about the U.S. Attorney firings that "the goods" are. Think torture memos, think rendition flights, think NSA wire-taping... etc. etc. all the way down that rabbit hole... to expunging a Texas DUI and resisting arrest conviction of one George W, Bush.

The U.S. Attorney firings are the lose thread that is just begining to be pulled. "The goods" as you call it, are far deeper and far more troubling as well as being the deepest most profound meanings of the term criminal.

i'm just disappointed, or more than that, that the whole federalist society thing didn't come out. i mean, that's out there. it can't be too hard for some senator to explain what it is and question why that was a criterion for retention. that just stinks.

Bush detests government and he continues to deconstruct government, unless it serves his own selfish interests.

I understand the psychological difficulty in trying to get a scrap of food when momma walrus with pearls gobbled up all of the food at the table when GWB was young. Hell dad is so gaunt because Barbara still twists his ball until he relents and lets her have the last plate of lasagna.

I think Gonzalez cannot resign, or Bush will be impeached within weeks of confirmation of a new AG. Why do I say that? Look at the DOD under Gates as compared to Rumsfeld. The openness to change, the honesty at the top, the self-criticism (all compared to Rumsfeld) are really breathtaking. I can't imagine Bush can get anyone confirmed who would be willing to allow the current criminality of the DOJ to continue.
Only if Bush can live with an interrim AG, or if he recess appoints---only then can I see Abu G going.

The comments about what's required of competent managers are correct.

But for George, as with Enron's top managers, his Harvard MBA is only about technique. He doesn't want objectively competent management; his multiple oil company bankruptcies should have made clear he doesn't know what that is. He wants only the management that serves his special interests.

For the same reason, he doesn't care what revenue the U.S. Treasury needs, he only cares about what taxes he doesn't want his family trust funds to pay, which is all the basis he needs for a national tax strategy. All those in the same financial boat as George get a free ride (all one-tenth of one percent of them); everybody else gets left in the wake.

Mr. Bush's selfishness and cynicism would make a Whitehall mandarin look like a Franciscan; they are almost unprecedented. He will no more toss Gonzo than Karl (or disavow Cheney); they are slavishly loyal in what matters to George, and accomplish precisely what he wants. The short version of that is that NO rules apply to him, and nobody tells him what to do and walks out of the room standing up.

And this already via CNN no less:

White House insiders: Gonzales hurt himself before panel

Buh Bye!

Posted by: John S
Date: April 19, 2007 10:14 PM

Who was DOJ protecting in this TYC fiasco?

There is no such thing as a pardon for an impeachment. Also if I am not mistaken if you have been impeached you cannot hold a public office. So if Fredo is impeached he would have to actually go to work as a Lawyer. GO FIGURE!

If Gonzo remains in his job, its incumbent for anyone who works in the DOJ (federal state or local) to be ever vigilant and tell what they know. If its about any ongoing investigation or an old investigation, tell tell tell.

Please contact your "representatives". I have. Following is what I have related to my "representatives".

Honorable Senator Martinez,

Through news accounts of the deplorable actions of Cho Seung-Hui it has come to my attention the federal government may be keeping a database of antidepressant and other prescription medication users in violation of HIPPA.

Senator Martinez, I work in the health care field. We take pride, are continuously trained and reminded, and constantly strive to maintain our patient's right to privacy. The government's recent "admitting" knowledge of Cho Seung-Hui's use of antidepressants is extremely disturbing.

Senator Martinez, I am 54 years old. In 2002, my marriage of 26 years ended in divorce. Two months after the divorce I was informed I had a spot on my right lung and might have lung cancer, which my natural father died of at 53 years of age, and my step-father died of 5 years previous to my diagnosis without leaving the hospital after his operation.

Senator Martinez, I was fired from my job at Cargill for supposed but undocumented deficiencies in my "performance" 3 months after returning from my life saving surgery.

Senator Martinez, would you please inquire if I am in that database of antidepressant patients. If I am, could you please remove my records in compliance with the laws I have to adhere to?

Please respond, and not with a form letter.

Thank you,
ME!

I wonder how much his haircut cost? No way he was in the same room with everyone else. He looked as if he were somewhere else. Who has the body language analysis? What does looking up at the ceiling and pausing for a LONG time mean?

When is it turdblossom's turn?

Bush is telling us to stop him in the rambling addresses of today and this press release. They're not being very "precise" at it, but deep down, they want us to stop them.

WTF? Impeach them already!

Today's hearing, on its face, was about the question "are you lying or are you stupid?"

Gonzales shouted, "I'm stupid! I'm stupid!"

This may have been the best outcome for the Administration. The perjury was venal, no new information emerged, and Gonzales could not recall any interactions with the White House.

Can you impeach someone for being stupid? Well, yes. But it doesn't play very well.

If you believe the testimony that was given today, the most reasonable explanation of known events is that Gonzales really didn't know or care about who was on the list; that function had been delegated to staffers who took orders from the White House. He honestly was not concerned about knowing details because of this.

However, "I know nothing of the process but I know it is not improper" might be impeachable on the grounds of mental incapacitation....

security code: "round". "Round 1: Fight!!"

Of course Bush is pleased with the AG testimony. Abu didn't give up anything, really. That's exactly what they wanted him to do. The problem is that, in the process of covering his ass, he dropped some bread crumbs on the ground for the D's to follow.

Schumer and DiFi came the closest today to blowing the political purposes door wide open.

The problem is that the WH has figured out how to get around that, and Schumer/DiFi went after this line the hardest: As long as nobody claims responsibility for the list, as long as fingers keep pointing at everyone and his brother, the committee can't askk the person who drafted what the impetus was for removing the attorneys. This is why Abu keeps going on and on about "the consensus." Of course it's a consensus. That way, nobody has to take responsibility. They can pass the buck, person to person, ad infinitum. But at least one person of "the consensus" is lying. Now it's time to find the one for the D's to break.

Goodling looks like the weakest link; she has the most to lose. Abu and the rest of the DOJ boys are pretty set. They have long resumes and deep connections behind them. She doesn't. she's the easiest to throw under a bus, and she must know, after today, that if these Republicans will throw Abu under one, they'll hesitate even less with doing it to her. She's a nobody to them, a useful idiot who's worn out her welcome. I think she knows it.

Wouldn't the problem be in filling the AG post more than anything else? The circle of friends is tightening. No one beat down the door to become War Czar. Who would even want to be associated with Bush/Cheney?

To Leahy I say: Keep investigatin'! If nothing else, having the spotlight on them 24/7 will prevent further abuses -- or one would hope.

In the meantime, we should maintain a directory of Regent University quacks that have gotten their foot in the door and see to it that they don't reincarnate later.

Whoops - One hand's not watching what the other's doing; after releasing the statement that Bush was mighty pleased with GONEzales' testimony, his spokesman Dana Perino said:

"Of course, the President has not seen any of that testimony. As I told you, he's had a busy morning, and now we're on our way to Tipp City, Ohio."

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/04/20070419-1.html

What a bunch of supreme fuckups. They can't even bullshit competently.

Fill the AG post with Patrick Fitzgerald, clean out the White House lackeys at the secondary and support levels, and restore the integrity of the Department of Justice.

Code word = clean. how fitting.

jdw wrote:

"Fredo is to running the DOJ as W is to running the Executive Branch of the USA. Neither one is running the show. They're both incompetent hacks that others take action in the name of."

All this, including the war in Iraq, is merely a sideshow meant to divert attention while the "others" dismantle the institution of the United States.

I think it's instructive to look at all those former-administration members that President George W. Bush has praised, only to be dumped --- or swept under the rug --- in the end.

When you get the Official Presidential Seal of Approval, it's time to start updating your resume.

With all my love,
Aunty Em

"The Attorney General has the full confidence of the President, and he appreciates the work he is doing at the Department of Justice to help keep our citizens safe from terrorists, our children safe from predators, our government safe from corruption, and our streets free from gang violence."

Where?, on WHAT PLANET are these things happening? This whole administration has REALLY GOT TO GO! They are delusional!

IMPEACH
INVESTIGATE
INDICT
IMPRISON!
Pelosi in '07!
siri