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Gonzales: Living The Dream
Gonzales said absolutely nothing of substance at his barely-120-second press conference. He's staying on until September 17, at which point, presumably, his successor will be nominated and possibly face rapid confirmation hearings. But he didn't address any questions as to his resignation -- whether it was in the works for a while now, or whether he alone made the decision to resign -- let alone attempt to defend his tenure. "I have lived the American dream," Gonzales said. "Even my worst days as attorney general have been better than my father's best days." Public service, he said, is "honorable and noble," even if his departure wasn't: He took no questions and walked off stage at a rapid clip.
President Bush will speak about Gonzales at 11:50 a.m. Let's see if he says anything more substantive.
Update: Here's the press conference transcript:
Thirteen years ago, I entered public service to make a positive difference in the lives of others. During this time, I have traveled 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 Jared, Graham, and Gabriel. Yesterday, I met with President Bush and informed him of my decision to conclude my government service as Attorney General of the United States, effective as of September 17, 2007.
Let me say that it has been one of my greatest privileges to lead the Department of Justice. 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 are protected and the hopes and dreams of all of 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.
Comments (67)
GeorgeBush43 wrote on August 27, 2007 10:53 AM:It's a sad day when such a fine young man is pushed into resigning by the democrat congress who have politicized this whole affair. His testimony has always continued to increase my confidence in him. God bless America!
MB wrote on August 27, 2007 10:55 AM:What a horrible thing to say about your father (whom I suspect would rather disagree with his son's assessment.)
mark wrote on August 27, 2007 10:56 AM:Bu bye tortureboy
Anonymous wrote on August 27, 2007 10:58 AM:Why now?
Either a) Pat Leahy has huge balls, and indicated he wasn't going to stop the hearings after Labor Day, or b) something new came to light. Or maybe both?
chicago recluse wrote on August 27, 2007 10:59 AM:Does Bush ever say anything of substance?
SkippyFlipjack wrote on August 27, 2007 11:00 AM:unless Gonzales Sr. worked as the mop guy in a Times Square peep-show, I doubt Alberto is correct
Anonymous wrote on August 27, 2007 11:00 AM:GeorgeBush43:
Your sarcastic humor is much appreciated!
Democracy Boy wrote on August 27, 2007 11:00 AM:This guy lied right up until the end. Hilarious/pathetic/sad. He resigned Friday and then lied all weekend long about whether he had resigned. Priceless!
Erik Ryberg wrote on August 27, 2007 11:01 AM:Heckuva job, Abu!
interested litigant wrote on August 27, 2007 11:03 AM:Wait for it.
ShawnHarmon wrote on August 27, 2007 11:03 AM:Does he really breathe helium before speaking?
BobR wrote on August 27, 2007 11:04 AM:Why now?
Because that was the deal to pass the FISA bill.
Fred M. wrote on August 27, 2007 11:05 AM:That, plus a promise of Senate approval on the next AG.
"A fine young man ...?" You have to be joking! This is the same guy who called the Rules of the Geneva Convention "quaint."
His job as Attorney General was to be the nation's lawyer ... not a lapdog of Bush.
It amazes me how republicans keep claiming the investigation of the attorney scandal is politically motivated, but don't seem to have any problem at all with the actual politicalization of the Justice Department along with other major branches of the federal government!
I will say it again. There is only one explanation for the 25% of Americans who still support this president and administration ... they fall into Lincoln's second category of citizens: "You can fool some of the people all of the time!"
digapony wrote on August 27, 2007 11:06 AM:Let's hope Leahy doesn't stop until Lie-baby's wearing the orange suit and dodging traffic on the beltway cleaning up trash.
yellojkt wrote on August 27, 2007 11:09 AM:He can't even do a Friday Newsdump competently. I lost a lot of money on him not resigning fast enough.
Fred M. wrote on August 27, 2007 11:11 AM:GeorgeBush43"
Just to put the attorney scandal into perspective for you ...
"It all ties into the Bush gang's Kremlin-like abuses -- using the power of the state as a tool of the ruling party."
theWalrus wrote on August 27, 2007 11:17 AM:- Steve Benen
What - no Medal of Freedom?
Anonymous wrote on August 27, 2007 11:19 AM:Dear Attorney Gonzales,
Public service is not "honorable and noble" unless your conduct and actions meet this standard!
eric wrote on August 27, 2007 11:20 AM:Fred -
Satire.
NicoleSF wrote on August 27, 2007 11:20 AM:If the Chertoff rumor is true, we have a lapdog replacing another lapdog. Apparently, the WH would rather face a confirmation fiasco rather than nominate an independent AG.
Think about it? Do they have a choice? An independent AG would be like having an Independent Counsel. Who expect this band of thugs to do that?
bugsy wrote on August 27, 2007 11:24 AM:GeorgeBush43:
Peter Duffy wrote on August 27, 2007 11:29 AM:Certianly your comments were joking. I can't believe that anyone could actually believe that tripe.
Looks like Gonzo is getting out before he is fired. No hugs for Gonzo from George. Very clinical. Compared to the Rove exit, Gonzo may as well be on another planet as far as Bush is concerned. Seperate conferences !!!!!
There may be bad news coming down the track for the WH.
Nina Katarina wrote on August 27, 2007 11:29 AM:I suspect they're floating Chertoff & Starr's names so that anyone else will seem the model of probity and ability. Of course, I've been wrong before.
Reid had better not have made an "I'll confirm anyone" deal.
Captcha "hope". Sounds right.
David in Chicago wrote on August 27, 2007 11:29 AM:Anyone else fid it odd that his last day will be Sept. 17, the anniversary of the signing of the U.S. Constitution?
Steve Garrett wrote on August 27, 2007 11:30 AM:I just hope that Reid gets the message to W soon that Chertoff is NOT acceptable and makes that statement public before Bush announces he's the nominee.
kentuck wrote on August 27, 2007 11:40 AM:One thing is for certain: Bush will not appoint anyone that is not willing to defend his secrecy and his lies. Loyalty above the rule of law. Chertoff would probably be willing to get on his knees and do the job. Otherwise, he may have difficulty finding someone as "trustworthy" as Gonzales. Trustworthy meaning someone the President can trust to divide the nation and to protect his backside, at the expense of the laws and Constitution in an open government.
Barry wrote on August 27, 2007 11:44 AM:Josh:
I want to thank you and your staff for the fine reporting on the US Attorney scandal. I have no doubt that, except for TPM, this horrible man would still be Attorney General and would be overseeing the further destruction of our Constitutional liberties.
Yes, for 17 more months our liberties remain at risk. But the resignation of Gonzalez is a giant step forward in reconstructing the rule of law.
We owe you and your staff a huge debt of gratitude. Best wishes and keep up the great work.
Barry wrote on August 27, 2007 11:44 AM:Josh:
I want to thank you and your staff for the fine reporting on the US Attorney scandal. I have no doubt that, except for TPM, this horrible man would still be Attorney General and would be overseeing the further destruction of our Constitutional liberties.
Yes, for 17 more months our liberties remain at risk. But the resignation of Gonzalez is a giant step forward in reconstructing the rule of law.
We owe you and your staff a huge debt of gratitude. Best wishes and keep up the great work.
Barry wrote on August 27, 2007 11:45 AM:Josh:
I want to thank you and your staff for the fine reporting on the US Attorney scandal. I have no doubt that, except for TPM, this horrible man would still be Attorney General and would be overseeing the further destruction of our Constitutional liberties.
Yes, for 17 more months our liberties remain at risk. But the resignation of Gonzalez is a giant step forward in reconstructing the rule of law.
We owe you and your staff a huge debt of gratitude. Best wishes and keep up the great work.
David wrote on August 27, 2007 11:46 AM:Now that Rove is free, Bush ought to appoint him to the open AG spot during the upcoming recess.
The Edge of Texas wrote on August 27, 2007 11:46 AM:David:
I, too, note the irony of Gonzales' resignation being effective on September 17th, the 220th anniversary of the signing of the Constitution in Philadelphia.
Perhaps that revered document is not yet just paper for use in Bush's toilette.
johnnydoughey wrote on August 27, 2007 11:50 AM:We have about 2 million people in prison in this country... thieves, murders, drug addicts, mentally ill, etc.
Not ONE of these people have ever done as much damage to this nation as Gonzales, yet this person who enjoys watching executions, overthrowing democracies, spying on people, and abetting upcoming dictators will never be subjected to any consequences whatsoever.
Today or tomorrow, our illustrious Congress and Senate, many whome were recently elected to return the rule of law to the people, will put this behind them and contiinue to support our downhill slide toward dictatorial rule.
Once the rules are such that those in power no longer pay the same consequences for their actions as commom folk, the democracy has fallen. Anyone who believes differently is just playing in a fantasy world. The fact that thousands of people are not being tossed into camps or prevented from travelling without specific documents (oops, I guess we are already doing this now, aren't we?) is irrelevant.
The fact is, Congress (both Dems and Reps) is allowing our democracy to die. Just because someone has resigned makes it no less true. It will nonetheless appease most folk as their representatives stand up and praise themselves for "forcing him out of office. The reality is the loss of a democracy has nothing to do with "outing" an individual person. This guy is being allowed to make his own decision to quit. I'm sure those who have been tortured, and those future folks who will eventually be tortured, would enjoy the same opportunity.
As long as the embarrassment of resigning (without even a confession of guilt) is condoned by Congress and the Senate as the only consequences of war crimes they are only acting as puppets of the dictator, grabbing whatever power is left over for them and "WE the People" are no longer considered an important factor in governing.... we are nothing more than a minor irritant.
Perhaps we need to follow Bush's lead and change some more definitions of common words. What if we just change the term "representative" to "bufferer" since, if you take an objective look, that is what they are now doing. They are no longer acting on our behalf... they are instead, doing nothing more than buffering themselves and the administration from "WE the People" who historically have enjoyed the right to self govern.
The good news is that future generations will no longer miss what they never really had a taste of. Perhaps in a couple hundred years, some country will feel the need to come over and kill US in order to give us freedom and we, like the Iraqi, will have no clue as to just how to obtain this... IMHO
eric wrote on August 27, 2007 11:52 AM:Ok, so Josh is reporting on the front page that some people ARE actually talking recess appointment. I doubt it would happen. But at the same time, you never know with Bush.
Anyway, I sure hope there are a few Dem Senators near D.C. to put the Senate back into session.
DanaB wrote on August 27, 2007 11:55 AM:Today is my birthday! I could NOT have asked for a better present! WooHooo! :)
MB wrote on August 27, 2007 11:56 AM:Excellent job of anticipation, GeorgeBush43!
Fred M. wrote on August 27, 2007 11:57 AM:Great quote from former U.S. Attorney David Iglesias of New Mexico which realy gets to the heart of the matter:
"This is a great, great development. ...The next attorney general has to understand that his primary loyalty is to the Constitution and the rule of law and that sometimes he has to tell the president no."
Legalize wrote on August 27, 2007 12:00 PM:I've already seen comments on some of the wingnut blogs to the effect that a recess appointment is necessary for our national security, blah blah blah Islamofascists, yada yada yada, Dems hate America, and that the DoJ was in such disarray because of Janet Reno, bark bark bark.
Get ready, they're mobilizing the st00pid big time.
apeman wrote on August 27, 2007 12:01 PM:Iglesias for AG
Anonymous wrote on August 27, 2007 12:07 PM:Chertoff...
Good guy... smart.
I especially like the way he is able to make "emotional reasoning" a priority in his decision making process. If he is confirmed, I suppose the new Atty General motto will be:
"I feel, therefore it is"
people wrote on August 27, 2007 12:12 PM:WATCH OUT GONZO!!! HERE COMES THE BUSH BUS!!!
Jim wrote on August 27, 2007 12:23 PM:eric: "Ok, so Josh is reporting on the front page that some people ARE actually talking recess appointment. I doubt it would happen. But at the same time, you never know with Bush."
Legalize: "I've already seen comments on some of the wingnut blogs to the effect that a recess appointment is necessary for our national security, blah blah blah Islamofascists, yada yada yada, Dems hate America, and that the DoJ was in such disarray because of Janet Reno, bark bark bark."
Although I also worried this morning about a recess appointment, I no longer think it's possible.
Article Two, Section 2 says "The President shall have Power to fill up all Vacancies that may happen during the Recess of the Senate, by granting Commissions which shall expire at the End of their next Session."
Fredo's resignation isn't effective until September 17. The Senate is in recess now, but there is no vacancy now, so the President has no power to grant any commission until September 17— by which time the Senate will be back in session. (And will never again go into recess until a new AG is properly confirmed, if Harry Reid accurately recognizes how far Bush is to be trusted.)
Broken Gnome wrote on August 27, 2007 12:27 PM:Did I just read that you were waiting to see if the President would say something substantive? The whole Administration has been about avoiding that, while making fundamental changes under the radar.
people wrote on August 27, 2007 12:31 PM:Jim, you make a valid point on recess appointments. However, Gonzo is still providing legal advice the Bush, as the AG. And god only knows what interpetation he came up with when he read the same Article Two, Section 2.
Fred wrote on August 27, 2007 12:41 PM:I believe Reid at one time was going to keep a skeleton group of Senators around, effectively keeping the Senate in session all the time. He reached an agreement with Bush a few weeks ago, however, so the Senate can recess and Bush agreed not to put through any recess appointments. In return, Reid promised to push through hearings on any appoitments.
Jim wrote on August 27, 2007 12:50 PM:people: "Jim, you make a valid point on recess appointments. However, Gonzo is still providing legal advice the Bush, as the AG. And god only knows what interpetation he came up with when he read the same Article Two, Section 2."
posthumous wrote on August 27, 2007 1:25 PM:If they'd intended to go the recess appointment route, Gonzales's resignation would simply have been effective immediately, thereby eliminating that obvious objection to Dubya's Article Two authority to appoint Gonzo's replacement.
Look at the bright side. If Chertoff is Attorney General at least he won't be in charge of Homeland Security anymore!
Dave of Maryland wrote on August 27, 2007 1:46 PM:What's encouraging is the Constitution / 4th branch / checks & balances (etc.) are still strong enough to force the resignations of senior advisors, such as Rummy, Gonzales, Rove, etc. A president who can be stripped of advisors cannot rule forever, whatever he may wish.
foggylady wrote on August 27, 2007 2:15 PM:Is it not possible that Gonzo left because the Rethugs
( maybe thru Rove???) convinced Bush of the damage to the Party this close to elections???
I am not convinced Gonzo or Rove have truly "left"..
v. populi wrote on August 27, 2007 2:16 PM:exit stage right, perhaps, but still behind the curtain...
On a day like today, i wish i knew where to find alberto gonzales, so that i could dance around him in childish glee singing songs about his incompetence and dishonesty.
v. populi wrote on August 27, 2007 2:16 PM:On a day like today, i wish i knew where to find alberto gonzales, so that i could dance circles around him in childish glee singing songs about his incompetence and dishonesty.
On the Clock wrote on August 27, 2007 2:33 PM:I'd like to echo what Barry said, even though he said it three times. TPM, under Josh's orchestration and gumshoeing, has caused real and well-deserved damage to Bush's Gonzales project.
A thousand thanks, folks.
Code Word: "degree", honoraries of which you all deserve.
agathena wrote on August 27, 2007 2:37 PM:How could Gonzo recall from 13 years ago when he couldn't remember a meeting from a month ago?
I think as a mentally challenged person, yes he has been treated unfairly. He has been taken from his back-room position and forced into the public eye, where he flinched and shivered and lost his memory. It was extremely unfair of Bush and Cheney to make him take the fall for firing the attorneys at their direction.
Jmc wrote on August 27, 2007 2:37 PM:Have we heard any word from the ousted AG's whose sacrifice has led to this result? Mightn't they feel a little vindication (read Justice) here?
nwmuse wrote on August 27, 2007 2:52 PM:I wondered about the possibility of recess appointment as well. Wasn't there something in the Patriot Act Reauthorization Bill of 2005 that allowed for recess appointments to be open ended - as to last until the end of Bush's term in office?
EH wrote on August 27, 2007 2:54 PM:Did that apply only to US Attorneys? Or could it be for any appointment? I vaguely remember some aspect of it was slipped in during the middle of the night..
@kentuck:
"One thing is for certain: Bush will not appoint anyone that is not willing to defend his secrecy and his lies."
The President's term is far enough along that they likely will not have to worry about this. The next AG, if from outside of Cheney's circle, will likely not even get to know the details of the last 7 years. They'll seat him and he'll have a fresh mandate to "get the DoJ back together" or some such. He'll be sandbagged with the aftereffects of Ashcroft/Gonzales and that'll keep him quite busy for the next 16 months.
slb wrote on August 27, 2007 2:56 PM:>> Have we heard any word from the ousted AG's whose sacrifice has led to this result? <<
NPR had David Iglesias on as part of their post-announcement commentary this morning (and since Gonzo's statement was so short, they had nearly 30 minutes of commentary on it). The quote in one of the messages above was from his commentary on NPR.
Long Memory wrote on August 27, 2007 3:03 PM:The American dream? How quaint.
Cal Damage wrote on August 27, 2007 3:14 PM:"Thirteen years ago I enetered public service". That's what I like: open with a joke.
Like the seccurity code says:"Shame"
Dan wrote on August 27, 2007 3:18 PM:September 17. Isn't that an interesting date. What happens on September 11? General Petraeus reports to Congress. Supposedly during this same time, the Senate will be busy filling in the Attorney General position. Hmmm. Could it be that Gonzales is leaving now, at this rather odd time, simply to force Democrats to choose which issue they would rather highlight to Americans in that week?
Would the Bush administration make a deal to Democrats? Give us more time on the war and we'll give you a good candidate for AG?
Bucky wrote on August 27, 2007 3:30 PM:Gonzales Resigns to Spend More Time Not Recalling his Family.
http://themproject.blogspot.com/
Official A wrote on August 27, 2007 3:53 PM:Don't get me wrong, I'm thrilled that Abu and the porcine one have departed. Still, I have this "gut feeling" (as valid, surely, as Chertoff's) that the Democratic Congress made a deal to get the resignations of Rove and Gonzalez, perhaps granting immunity for previous FISA violations and trading away our civil rights in exchange.
I'm betting that Congress will now push the clutch in and try to coast into the '08 election.
We haven't really won anything, you know. Maybe we've just traded our principles for a different set of thugs.
Time will tell, but let's keep our guard up. The Constitution is still in danger.
nwmuse wrote on August 27, 2007 4:20 PM:The only thing that would get me to start letting my guard down a pinch would be if Bush and Cheney both resigned in September as well.
slb wrote on August 27, 2007 4:33 PM:Of course, I am not holding my breath on that one.
Part of me still believes that Rove and Gonzales won't be gone, they will just be invisible in the background still advising and directing their secret, illegal dealings. Untouchable and out of public view and out of Congress's grasp. Bush and Cheney are ALL about secrecy.
Cal Damage:
Well, hey, if by "entered" he means "started to screw," I'd say he has it about right.
GeorgeBush43 wrote on August 27, 2007 6:06 PM:I posted my comment a few minutes before 11 a.m., a full hour before I went on TV and said the same thing in my statement to the press. Check it out. Of course I'm sad to see a fine young man hounded out of office by vicious politicians who say they like Mexicans but then they hurt Alberto so bad. And all he was doing was protectin' America! I hope I can find an AJ half as compitent as Alberto was for a replacement.
Anonymous wrote on August 27, 2007 8:47 PM:http://actionlyme.org/FBI_WIRETAPE_TAPES.htm
Anonymous wrote on August 27, 2007 8:48 PM:http://actionlyme.org/FBI_WIRETAPE_TAPES.htm
Uncle_Meat wrote on August 27, 2007 9:49 PM:Josh:
I want to thank you and your staff for the fine reporting on the US Attorney scandal. I have no doubt that, except for TPM, this horrible man would still be Attorney General and would be overseeing the further destruction of our Constitutional liberties.
Yes, for 17 more months our liberties remain at risk. But the resignation of Gonzalez is a giant step forward in reconstructing the rule of law.
We owe you and your staff a huge debt of gratitude. Best wishes and keep up the great work.
Posted by: Barry
Date: August 27, 2007 11:44 AM
Thank you TPM!!!
Now if we can just get the Dick to go Cheney himself...