What a pitiful excuse for a Senate.

De-fund DOJ. Refuse to even SPEAK with the DOJ on ANY MATTER until AGAG is GONE!

Do your fucking jobs and QUIT with the pussy antics of no-confidence votes. This isn't a fucking parlaiament.

Waste of time.

Gosh, I wish a "no confidence" vote in American jurisprudence meant here what it means in the UK... that is, we don't like you, out you go. Instead, it's a slap on the wrist. In fact it's a sign of Congress' weakness, as the Dems don't have the political will or muscle to opt for impeachment (what a dirty word!).

Our politics have become so polarized that I expect a vote of no confidence would be worn by Gonzales and his only supporter as a badge of honor. "Look at all they can muster against us! We're still standing!" This is indeed the very definition of shamelessness.

bobh relax, this is a chess game.

The king is the king still, but his defense is breaking down.

@ bob h:

AGREED.

TOO MUCH PLODDING AND CYA. TIRED OF THEM ALL.

YAWN!

WTF!? IMPEACH!!!

Feet to the fire....this might force other resignations underneath Gonzo....no movement to replace or approve nominations...eventually Bush must seek a resignation....(of the once considered Supreme Court nominee)

Now this is tactical in that once Gonzo is gone, and now McNulty and Sampson, and others in the deputy chair possibly a career DoJ is in the interim and he or she will approve a special prosecutor....

I so agree. I am so tired of the cowardice, handwringing, dithering, etc from the democrats in congress. They OBVIOUSLY have enough votes to impeach him. The white house knows this. Impeach his ass. Impeach him. Save your no confidence vote for the presidency. The country desreves a warning for that impeachment. No one needs a warning for this one.

God the dems make me sick.

Security code: nail
as in
NAIL THEIR **** ***** ***** @SSES!!!

They should either impeach the SOB or stop humiliating themselves. This is ridiculous.

What happens if AGAG wins the no confidence vote?

How stupid would that be?

code: shame.

Is there any betting on Gonzo's tenure?

What do the oddsmakers think?

I'll put a C note on his exit before Monday!

This is all in an effort to get the MSM to pay attention to what we all know. The MSM only reports confrontation crap...This is framed as a confrontation. Stupid, yes. Necessary to get the MSM's attention, and in turn the ordinary clueless citizen informed, I'm afraid so.

I think this is actually a pretty good strategy. If they can get anywhere near 67 votes (the margin required for impeachment) that will seriously up the pressure on Gonzales and Bush even though likely many Republicans will vote for this who wouldn't (or wouldn't yet) vote for impeachment.

I'd also be interested to hear about the Texas Bar. Is there any interest in disbarring Gonzales?

(per WashPost article)

"I was completely shocked. No one had ever told me that my performance had been anything but good," Christie said. "I specifically asked him why he put my name on the list. He said he couldn't give me an explanation."

He added that Elston apologized and that he refused to accept the apology. "I still to this day don't know how I got taken off the list," Christie said."

None of the Bush-appointed U.S. Attorneys can be trusted. Notice how Christie jumps from questioning why he was put on the list to wondering why he was removed from the list.

Christie, you went after Sen. Menendez, a NJ Democrat, just before last year's election, as if it were a voter fraud case. Whether wittingly or unwittingly, Christie, you did exactly what Karl "Turdblossom" Rove wanted you to do, game our electoral system.

So, pleeasssee, Christie, saying you didn't know why your name was removed is just like Bush weaseling about his ordering Gonzales and Card to Ashcroft's bedside, to strongarm a sick man to recertify an illegal surveillance program, a program that had been illegal and un-American from it's inception.

Once again, none of the Bush-appointed U.S. Attorneys, or any other Bush appointees for that matter, can be trusted. Nor can Bush.

Next week is shaping up to be a good one. We'll have Ms. Goodling testifying about the newly anointed Mr. No Confidence!

Regarding the odds on Gonzo's depature bet, I think it's 10,000 to 1 that he'll leave next week.

Sad to say, but he ain't leaving voluntarily. Considering that Wolfie was basically told to leave and hasn't, this guy ain't go'in nowhere.

Dear Senator Feinstein,

Your confidence, and the confidence of the United States Senate, is of the greatest importance to me. That is why I have spent literally hours testifying before your panels and such. I have also provided you with in excess of between ten and fifteen thousand documents and/or lawyers. Let me assure you that I will make every effort to help you regain your confidence over the next 19 months.

Don’t be a strange

Alberto

I hope you’re right mayan. I just don't see any mechanism for ousting AGAG. President Bush could come to his senses and fire him. But look at how much political capital, not to mention blood and treasure, he was willing to waste on Rumsfeld.

Why jack around with non-binding resolutions?

Just impeach him. It isn't like there isn't more than enough evidence of high crimes and misdemeanors on the public record. We don't even need a special prosecutor. Just use his testimony before the house and senate.

Might this be a way to find out if they've got the votes to impeach without actually commencing to impeach? If they don't have the votes, it won't happen, no matter how loud anyone screams.

"Feet to the fire....this might force other resignations underneath Gonzo....no movement to replace or approve nominations...eventually Bush must seek a resignation....(of the once considered Supreme Court nominee)

"Now this is tactical in that once Gonzo is gone, and now McNulty and Sampson, and others in the deputy chair possibly a career DoJ is in the interim and he or she will approve a special prosecutor....

"Posted by: RW
Date: May 17, 2007 02:55 PM"

Congress can appoint a Special Prosecutor. At present, we are in the "show cause" -- to the damned asses who are attacking the Democrats because the damned asses are clueless -- phase.

SC = potato. As in, The clueless who don't know thing one about the meaning of democratic due process, and on that basis bash Democrats in Congress, have the IQ of a potato.

"I think this is actually a pretty good strategy. If they can get anywhere near 67 votes (the margin required for impeachment) that will seriously up the pressure on Gonzales and Bush even though likely many Republicans will vote for this who wouldn't (or wouldn't yet) vote for impeachment.

"I'd also be interested to hear about the Texas Bar. Is there any interest in disbarring Gonzales?

"Posted by: Crust
Date: May 17, 2007 03:10 PM"

This is what the attention-span-challenged Democrat bashers don't get: one cannot impeach without sufficient votes. And one cannot get sufficient votes by demanding them. As well, in view of a basically stupid electorate, and the requirements of law, it is essential to build the case at a pace which will progressively bring along those who at present are opposed to impeachment. And, hopefully, smarten up the bashers of the Democrats because the Democrats, not the bashers, know what they are doing.

Due process of law takes time and patience. It is deliberate and deliberative. During Watergate, I was a regular at a particular bar. Everyone in it but I supported Nixon. It took a solid year, but by the end of that year, as result of my being patient and persuasive, everyone in that bar opposed Nixon, and wanted impeachment.

The constructive approach is to cease bashing Democrats -- on no grounds but that of ignorance -- and regularly communicate to one's Senator and Representative one's demand for impeachment. Without the groundless insults.

"Why jack around with non-binding resolutions?

"Just impeach him. It isn't like there isn't more than enough evidence of high crimes and misdemeanors on the public record. We don't even need a special prosecutor. Just use his testimony before the house and senate.

"Posted by: Ron Byers
Date: May 17, 2007 05:06 PM"

There is sufficent information online about impeachment -- what is required, etc. But I'll make a simple point real simple for you, in hopes you'll "get" it --

A successful impeachment -- which begins in the House, not the Senate -- requires enough VOTES. If you think there are sufficent VOTES to impeach at this point, then you don't _think_.

This is not "Law & Order," a TeeVee show where everything is resolved within and hour (minus time for commercials). Due process -- you do want the rule of law, do you not? -- takes time. Persuading Republicans to vote with the Democrats takes time -- this requiring a progressively increasing embarassment of them to compel them to VOTE for impeachment.

In addition, Gonzo isn't the whole issue; it is a continuing embarassment for the republicans, and Bushit, for him to not resign or be fired. His remaining there is in effect an argument and advertisement FOR impeachment.

But it's more importnat, if necessary, to bypass him in order to impeach Bushit and Cheney. Or how many serial impeachments do you think many among We the people would be willing to tolerate? Gonzo is imporant as high proffile; but he is chump change as compares with the central problem: Bushit-Cheney-Rove.

Write a letter like this to your Representative:

Dear Senator Smith,
Constituents are counting on your votes to end the war in Iraq. I appreciate your rhetorical support in the press up to this point on this issue.

Congress must end this war now. We are in a constiitutional crisis where the Legislature must exert itself to check the powers of the presidency. We must do this in spite of the traditional pregotatives given to the president. These are tradition only and are clearly advised against in the constitution and related writings.

We want to hear from you on this topic in the roll call as well as in the press, and so far it doesn't seem as if you've used your votes to end the war.

Respectully,
David Dugo

I can understand that some are getting very frustrated. Some are frustrated that the chessgame is a deliberate one - and thus proceeding at a measured pace. Some are frustrated that others keep yelling for impeachment or bashing the democrats.

I urge everyone to try and be patient. Be patient with the elected representatives, whom, if you think about it, you want to behave like adults, not kids in a schoolyard. And be patient here with one another.

It's important that we practice the civility we expect for ourselves.

Sorry for the little sermon, but if need be, I will urge these things again. Because, indeed, I too am weary of the unrestrained anger, which is not going to move things forward or help us.

It's you and I on recess duty, uncle vester!

(in another life I had some experience with that_

Impeachment is equivalent to a trial. The House brings the indictment and the Senate tries it. Hence the desperate Bushie antics to redact the evidence. It also ties up the business of Congress.
A joint impeachment of Cheney and Bush would be ideal and may become feasible. Even if they are not convicted in the Senate which they should be the point is made that their mangling of our democracy will not be tolerated.

In the meantime, a vote of confidence, while not binding puts the Senate Republicans --many of whom have been enabling this regime -- on record. How many of them will want to be responsible for voting in favor of Gonzo when they don't (or do) know what else he may have done.

The central Midwest is often slow to make up its mind but Sen. Hegel is an example of what happens when they see the light. I am not conservative but I am longing for some principled conservatives to replace the current crop of Rethuglicans.

Calm down people. This no-confidence vote is a very good thing. It's like asking for a show of hands of who in the Senate would be willing to vote for impeachment. You say, "Impeach, impeach!!!" like it's a sure thing. It is not. There are 49 Repugnicans in the Senate, plus traitor Lieberman. If they are not willing to vote to convict Gonzales, impeachment proceedings are just a waste of time and money. And believe me, NO ONE WOULD RATHER SEE HIS SORRY ASS IN THE SLAMMER THAN ME!!! Along with all his sycophantic co-dependents, and the Capo del Capi himself, Bush. (or is that Rove? or Cheney?) Anyway, all of them need to go down. But it is going to be a very painful process trying to get the Repugnicans to show a little fortitude and spine and patriotism. They don't have much practice.