Posted on 03/23/2007 6:41:23 PM PDT by pitinkie
Attorney General Alberto Gonzales approved plans to fire several U.S. attorneys in a November meeting, according to documents released Friday that contradict earlier claims that he was not closely involved in the dismissals. The Nov. 27 meeting, in which the attorney general and at least five top Justice Department officials participated, focused on a five-step plan for carrying out the firings of the prosecutors, Justice Department officials said late Friday.
There, Gonzales signed off on the plan, which was crafted by his chief of staff, Kyle Sampson. Sampson resigned last week amid a political firestorm surrounding the firings.
The documents indicated that the hour-long morning discussion, held in the attorney general's conference room, was the only time Gonzales met with top aides who decided which prosecutors to fire and how to do it.
Justice spokeswoman Tasia Scolinos said it was not immediately clear whether Gonzales gave his final approval to begin the firings at that meeting. Scolinos also said Gonzales was not involved in the process of selecting which prosecutors would be asked to resign.
On March 13, in explaining the firings, Gonzales told reporters he was aware that some of the dismissals were being discussed but was not involved in them.
"I knew my chief of staff was involved in the process of determining who were the weak performers where were the districts around the country where we could do better for the people in that district, and that's what I knew," Gonzales said last week. "But that is in essence what I knew about the process; was not involved in seeing any memos, was not involved in any discussions about what was going on. That's basically what I knew as the attorney general."
Later, he added: "I accept responsibility for everything that happens here within this department. But when you have 110,000 people working in the department, obviously there are going to be decisions that I'm not aware of in real time. Many decisions are delegated."
Ya know, I just don't get why Gonzales or Bush or anyone minces around the truth. Dear God, just say, "Yeah, we fired 'em! Yes, I was involved, they were incompetent. Why do you ask?" Instead, it's "Ooooo, no, oh willikers, no, I didn't do it, well maybe I saw a little something but it was a post it or something, and gosh golly no I would never..."
Half-truths, stammering around, and apologizing are sure-fire ways to invite the Dims with gold lettering to stick the shiv in. Can we surprised when they do?
I also approve of the firings.
The article later says 6 U.S. Attorneys were named in the plan approved by the Attorney General.
LOL...really, the whole thing makes me laugh. The LSMers will make it a scandal either way!!!
Yes.
During the 04 campaign, the Swiftboat Veterans used TRUTH to destroy Kerry. Now, the wife of Kerry's 04 campaign manager is trying to use truth to destroy the AG. The difference is that the truth about Kerry proved him to be a fraud. The truth about the AG (who I have NO love for)proves only that he did his job.
Gonzalez is a wuss, but Bush can't afford to let him go now.
You are kidding!
Guys... if we're gonna claim the moral high ground, then we gotta walk the talk.
I agree with you completely.
At the start of this, Bush could have told Dems to "Pack sand" as opposed to hammering Gonzales by stating "some mistakes had been made, we'll get to the bottom of this." Blood is now in the water. Sharks are circling.
Man, it gets worse for that guy by the minute. Where did his seeds go??? There is absolutely NO appeasing the libs - no way, no how. He should have known this by now and acted accordingly.
When will he ever learn?? Probably Jan, 2009!!!!!!
I wish I was.
The public is a bunch of idiots... at least 50% are anyway...
It this kinda crap that pisses me off about this Admin...
Bush should just come out and put it in simple terms to the people and press....
Bush: "It's MY damn right to fire US attorney's, End of Story!",
but no... they just let this crap fester and fester....
Exactly..
What you said. Clinton fires every attorney regardless and got a pass. The Liberal MSM and their Democrat Overlords lose this one.
Just ask all the House Reps how many of them read the complete text of H.R.1591 before they voted for/against it. I would bet none of them...yet they signed off on it yea, nay, or present!
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