Gonzales Response To "Shaping" Monica's Testimony-"I was just trying to comfort her"

[kpete]

The Justice Department responds to Monica Goodling’s “damning revelation” that Alberto Gonzales may have tried to “shape” her testimony:


Brian J. Roehrkasse, a Justice Department spokesman, said in a statement that Mr. Gonzales “has never attempted to influence or shape the testimony or public statements of any witness in this matter, including Ms. Goodling. The statements made by the attorney general during this meeting were intended only to comfort her in a very difficult period.“

http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/24/gonzales-i-was-just-offering-a-shoulder-to-cry-on/

[zanne]

1. Yeah--he's known for that.

Comforting people is what he does best.:sarcasm:

[asthmaticeog]

2. Well, he appears to recall what was said and why. That's a start, I guess.

:eyes:

[luckyleftyme2]

5. has anyone checked his green card?

wouldn't surprise me if "DUBYA" wasn't pushing the amnesty bill cuz half the illegals work for him.

stay the course: halliburton needs cooperate welfare work!

[whistle]

3. Bullshit! Gonzales was trying to get into Monica's pants, which is why

....she testified that his statements made her uncomfortable

[NewJeffCT]

9. well considering

how unattractive a lot of Republican women seem to be, I bet Ms. Goodling was very popular with the rare heterosexual male in the Bush White House.

[whistle]

11. Which heterosexual male would that be in the White House?

[NewJeffCT]

15. Well

The odds are that at least a few men there are straight - Wolfowitz comes to mind.

[Rydz777]

20. "Straight" is not a word that jumps to my mind when I hear the

name Wolfowitz. Oh, I see, you mean sexually. You're probably right since he seems to be able to entertain both a wife and a mistress at the same time.

[whistle]

24. No straight is not at all applicable to Wolfowitz, this man would fuck a snake

...and the rock it lives under!

[Lobster Martini]

4. Awww...we can't impeach such a sweetheart...

Sure, he's treacherous and wouldn't tell the truth if you banged his bare toes with a hammer, but he does have a caring side.

[Swamp Rat]

6. Time to nail Gonzo for witness tampering.

http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode18/usc_sec_18_00001512----000-.html

TITLE 18 > PART I > CHAPTER 73

§ 1512. Tampering with a witness, victim, or an informant

(snip)

(b) Whoever knowingly uses intimidation, threatens, or corruptly persuades another person, or attempts to do so, or engages in misleading conduct toward another person, with intent to—
(1) influence, delay, or prevent the testimony of any person in an official proceeding;
(2) cause or induce any person to—
(A) withhold testimony, or withhold a record, document, or other object, from an official proceeding;

(snip)

(e) In a prosecution for an offense under this section, it is an affirmative defense, as to which the defendant has the burden of proof by a preponderance of the evidence, that the conduct consisted solely of lawful conduct and that the defendant’s sole intention was to encourage, induce, or cause the other person to testify truthfully.

(snip)

(j) If the offense under this section occurs in connection with a trial of a criminal case, the maximum term of imprisonment which may be imposed for the offense shall be the higher of that otherwise provided by law or the maximum term that could have been imposed for any offense charged in such case.

(k) Whoever conspires to commit any offense under this section shall be subject to the same penalties as those prescribed for the offense the commission of which was the object of the conspiracy.

http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode18/usc_sec_18_00001512----000-.html

[JTFrog]

8. Just like he was comforting

Ashcroft in the hospital. Comfort is his code word for intimidate. Got it.

[Hubert Flottz]

7. He should have slowly used a pair of fuzzy gloves!

Edit...He won't respect her in the morning...

[Turbineguy]

10. self delete

self-delete

[Loge23]

12. What in hell is going on here??

Now they are so brazen that they simply commit - and admit to - crimes, knowing full well that they are exempt from any accountability or prosecution?
This is quite enough. Is there anything or anyone out there to do anything about this??
Our own Justice Dept. is being run by incompetents and criminals!!!
Yikes!!

[spanone]

13. So, Gonzales lied to Congress. No price to pay? Contempt of Congress?

[rasputin1952]

14. Some atty there, even discussing the case w/Goodling, Gonzo

seriously screwed up. How many people under investigation would have the option of discussing the matter w/a key witness?

Even if Gonzo were telling the truth, (highly unlikely), it creates a situation that cannot go wel for his defense. I wouldn't have this guy on my side if I got a parking ticket and decided to fight it...by the time this inept atty got done in court, I'd be in prison for 15 years!

[The Backlash Cometh]

16. Oh, please.

[pberq]

17. Yeah, right Gonzo, we believe everything you say

[global1]

18. Does Anyone Recall In A Recent Trip Of Gonzo Up To The Hill To Testify- Didn't He Use As An Excuse..

when questioned about one of his underlings - that he couldn't talk with him because of this pending investigation.

I seem to recall noting this in the back of my mind when I heard him say that - and when Monica yesterday said that she talked with him and felt uncomfortable - it all came back to me.

He (and she) should know better. They are lawyers(?)and they violated something that should be Law 101.

Gonzo uses whatever he could - when he needs to. He always has it both ways. This is just another example.

If I had the time I would look for his recent testimony and cite his use of this excuse. If anyone has access - it would be appreciated if you post it here.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

19. catholic priests have tried the same defense.

with about the same amount of credibility.
He was fucking her over, but she was too stupid to understand it at the time. Or even now, despite hours of preparation with a high priced group of lawyers.


Say, who is paying for that firm. three lawyers for one hearing, and the cheapest charges 2x as much as I do per hour?

[sutz12]

21. "Shit! Why didn't I think of that defense?".....Bill Clinton. nt

[intheflow]

22. I was wondering where her blue dress was

after a sesson of Gonzalez comfort. Ewwwwww! :puke:

[11 Bravo]

23. Were any dresses stained during the \"comforting\"?