Alberto Gonzales Quits

Albertogonzales2For Alberto Gonzales, it's over. For us, our long national nightmare is... well, it's not quite over. But this is a big step.

The Washington Post:

Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales announced his resignation today, ending a controversial cabinet tenure that included clashes with Congress over the firing of nine U.S. attorneys and over the use of warrantless wiretaps in the war on terror. ...

His resignation marks the loss of another Bush loyalist at a time when the president's support in public opinion polls has been lagging and amid a fight with Congress over the future of Iraq war policy. Although Bush consistently expressed confidence in Gonzales, arguing that his longtime Texas ally was being targeted by Democrats for political reasons, the attorney general's support in Congress had withered after a series of run-ins.

The resignation comes just one week after U.S. Senate candidate Jeff Merkley called for his impeachment and less than one month after Congressman Jay Inslee (D-WA) filed a resolution calling for impeachment hearings. That resolution was co-sponsored by all four Democratic members of Oregon's congressional delegation - Darlene Hooley, Peter DeFazio, David Wu, and Earl Blumenauer.

Discuss.

  • MCR (unverified)
    (Show?)

    This proves once and for all that Jeff Merkley is the relevant candidate in this race.

  • (Show?)

    This proves once and for all that Jeff Merkley is the relevant candidate in this race.

    Why? Because he jumped on a bandwagon that was already coming up to the finish line? Great. "Proves?"

    I suggest now that Gonzo's gone, Inslee get out some "White-Out" and replace Gonzales' name with Cheney's.

    The process that Inslee suggested is a good one, and more information coming out of Impeachment Hearings could help create a critical mass to get rid of Cheney and Bush before January '09.

  • (Show?)

    OK, now we're talking. if Jeff Merkley can perform his special magic again, and get Cheney and Bush to resign by calling for their impeachment, I might consider voting for him after all.

    Otherwise, looks like he needs a new hobby horse.

  • (Show?)

    Now that would be an awesome trick!

  • Travis Diskin (unverified)
    (Show?)

    I think it was quite a trick to attempt to tie Merkley to this event.

  • (Show?)

    I woke up this morning down here in Medford as I came down to visit my family. My mom's first words was "Gonzales quit", which shocked me for two reasons, one I was half asleep and thought I was dreaming and second because my mom found out before me (yeah that's what I get for sleeping in until 7:30am).

    Personally I don't think the fact Merkley called for Gonzales to be impeached makes him any more of a relevant candidate. Linking the two is about as honest as saying Iraq was behind 9/11.

  • Ed Bickford (unverified)
    (Show?)

    Indeed the nightmare is not over... The guys are still in office who wanted this perjurer and Harriet Miers (who refused to even show up when served a subpoena by Congress) to be elevated to the Supreme Court.

    It's just another rat fleeing the sinking ship.

  • MCR (unverified)
    (Show?)

    Some people on here need to lighten up...A LOT.

  • Joe Anybody (unverified)
    (Show?)

    I think there needs to be a Celebration This guy helped in a big way to ruin our country He helped develop our (sic)"World Famous Torture Program" He lied to Congress over and over He paved the way to spying on US citizens He is crooked and dishonest

    He is a DISCRACE to Justice in the name of The United States Our Constitution has suffered because of him, and there are those around the world who have suffered because of him and his insane (SICK) policies done in our (USA) name.

    I would love to see a Pioneer Square Celebration We deserve it - America has been shamed by this man There should be one hell of a party for this!?

    Furthermore every Thursday at noon there is an Impeachment Rally for Bush / Cheney at Blumenauer's Portland Office.

    It is now going into its 6th week His office is open ....people are going inside to go on record. The presence of concerned people is the way to make change. It worked to remove Gonzo! We need to demand Justice - we need to show support with those that are trying hard to get the country back on its feet ..... "Impeach ....or resign ..... git out of "our" offices you crooks!"

    (stop by Earls Office Thursdays 12-2 to encourage Impeachment trials)

  • (Show?)

    I'd like to talk about the timing. Why now?

    My spouse thinks that Gonzales may have tried to quit before but Bush would not accept the resignation. Think about it: this is the final Texas loyalist left in the White House. Harriet is gone. Karen is gone. Andy Card is gone. Gonzales is the last hold out. Only Laura is left--Bush is surrounded by lame duck replacements.

    I thought perhaps this was an attempt to control the news cycle what with the increasingly negative series of stories about the most recent intelligence assessment and the September Iraq report.

    My student thinks it was done because this is a slow news week, what with everyone out on vacation and Washington in it's sleepiest mode.

    Thoughts? Why now?

  • MCR (unverified)
    (Show?)

    The silver lining in all of this? No more talk of "Justice Alberto Gonzales"

  • pterodactyl (unverified)
    (Show?)

    Yet another cockroach scurries off into the night. I think that the "big dick Cheny" will hang in there 'till the end to ensure that his buddies get every last dollar that they can. I won't be surprised when Bush pardons everyone on his last day for crimes that they have done, may have done, did but no one's found out about yet, or will do in the future. There is no accountability. The irreprepairable harm done to this country will take generations to fix.

  • (Show?)

    The timing has to do with Congress being in recess, which means Bubba can name a replacement, as is his MO. Whoever he names will be leading the Justice Department through the 2008 elections, without the spotlight that has hindered Gonzales in continuing to undermine the department. The biggest mistake that the Dems in Congress can now make is sharing a collective sigh of relief and believing that the job is done.

  • Kitty C (unverified)
    (Show?)

    Thank goodness he is gone. Alberto Gonzales is a card-carrying member of La Raza, a group that wants to stop enforcement of United States immigration law. Now we can get some sensible enforcement of the immigration laws.

  • DJD (unverified)
    (Show?)

    The resignation comes just one week after U.S. Senate candidate Jeff Merkley called for his impeachment...

    BEHOLD THE POWER OF MERKLEY!!!!!!

    If this isin't proof enough of his massive powers you foolish puny mortals, The Great Merkley will present for your viewing pleasure a lunar eclipse this fine evening as a demonstartion of his powers, behold.

  • David Raymond Amos (unverified)
    (Show?)

    http://actionlyme.org/FBI_WIRETAPE_TAPES.htm

  • David Raymond Amos (unverified)
    (Show?)

    http://actionlyme.org/FBI_WIRETAPE_TAPES.htm

  • (Show?)
    Posted by: Oregonian37 | Aug 27, 2007 2:18:15 PM

    Exactly. In essence this changes nothing at this point, and given what you point out, simply venting the political heat for BushCo. while still flying the finger at Congress, the American people, and the world for that matter.

  • zilfondel (unverified)
    (Show?)
    <h2>Now we need to prosecute his ass. Any takers? I wouldn't even know where to start...</h2>
in the news 2007

connect with blueoregon