White House Backs Attorney General

[helderheid]

White House Says Attorney General Gonzales Can Survive Uproar Over Firing of Prosecutors

By LAURIE KELLMAN

WASHINGTON Mar 30, 2007 (AP)— The White House said Friday it believes embattled Attorney General Alberto Gonzales can survive the uproar over the firing of eight federal prosecutors, a day after his one-time chief of staff undercut Gonzales' account of the firings.

"I can tell you that the president has confidence in him," said Deputy White House press secretary Dana Perino. "The president believes the attorney general can overcome the challenges that are before him."

On Thursday, former Gonzales aide Kyle Sampson told a Senate hearing that rather than merely signing off on the firings, as Gonzales has repeatedly stated, Gonzales was in the middle of things from the beginning.

"I don't think the attorney general's statement that he was not involved in any discussions of U.S. attorney removals was accurate," Sampson told a Judiciary Committee inquiry into whether the dismissals were politically motivated.

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http://www.abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=2994949

[AndyA]

1. In short, the Attorney General of the United States of America is a

LIAR!

As such, he is not qualified to remain in the position he's in. He is NOT trustworthy.

For that matter, neither are Bush, Cheney, nor Rice.

They should all be removed from office. They are ALL LIARS!

[rodeodance]

3. "Bush did not defend his longtime friend,"

The administration maintains that the firings were appropriate because the prosecutors serve at the pleasure of the president.

Asked about Gonzales during a closed-door meeting with House Republicans on Thursday, Bush did not defend his longtime friend, according to one official who attended the session and demanded anonymity because it was private.

Instead, Bush tepidly repeated his public statement: The attorney general would have to go up to Capitol Hill and fix his problem, according to this official.

Publicly, the White House has said continually that Gonzales retains Bush's confidence, even while it has also said that Gonzales and his department must address Congress' concerns and questions.

[rodeodance]

2. heard Bush also said that it is time to Gonza to speak for himself-or

maybe his new press sec. that?

anyway, sounds like WH is distancing from Gonzo if indeed they said that (think it was nbc evening news that put this out)

[The Count]

4. By the time defense is relegated to the press secretary, it's buh-bye

Rummy comes to mind...

[Richardo]

5. I hope he stays

We can refer to him as 'Albatross' Gonzales. :D

[Marr]

7. Me, too. He's leaving that post one way or another, and I'd much prefer

he stick around and do as much public relations damage as possible before the CONGRESS forces the bastard out.

Even with all we've seen from the Bush Administration, I'm surprised they're going to the mat for Gonzales on this. It shows how out of touch they are, that they just don't understand that they no longer control the message.

[theoldman]

6. Bush has not said "Alberto, you have done a fine job".

I do not think the Democrats will let up until Gonzales is out. Then they will concentrate on Rove or Cheney.