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How much more do they need?
In testimony today to the Senate Judiciary Committee, Gonzales attempted to give "context" for his infamous hospital trip to a convalescent John Ashcroft on March 10, 2004, after acting attorney general James Comey refused to authorize the surveillance program. It was only after a briefing for the so-called "Gang of Eight" bipartisan congressional leaders demanded that the program continue, Gonzales said, that he and then-White House chief of staff went to "inform" Ashcroft of the Gang's wishes.
Daschle was one of that Gang of Eight. In a statement e-mailed to TPMmuckraker, he all but calls Gonzales a liar.
"I have no recollection of such a meeting and believe that it didn't occur. I am quite certain that at no time did we encourage the AG or anyone else to take such actions. This appears to be another attempt to rewrite history just as they have attempted to do with the war resolution."
Daschle's statement bolsters one that his former Gang of Eight colleague, Senate intelligence committee chairman Jay Rockefeller (D-WV), gave to Dan Eggen of the Washington Post: Gonzales is "once again is making something up to protect himself," Rockefeller said.
As Hunter says:
There will be time for investigations, but in that Alberto Gonzales has demonstrated himself to be acting as an ongoing and unapologetic obstacle to those investigations, the time to remove him is now, not later. The oversight responsibilities of Congress must not be dismantled by either presidential fiat or obstruction by executive branch employees. Gonzales had his last chance to prove cooperation or at least competence today: he failed.
Get. Him. Out.
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zed!
ZED?
BUTTERCHEEKS!
Daschle!!
Buttercheeks is Abu? I’ll let downstairs know.
Greg Palast says that Abu is being used as cover to cover up a crime. I’d have to agree after seeing this abomination today.
Damn!.. FF keeps locking up.
Impeachment proceedings will be a valuable public education, regardless of outcome.
I suspect that if Abu refuses to let DOJ enforce the Miers subpoena, valuable education will ensue.
For folks who did not watch the whole hearing it is so worth it. Senator Schumer has had it.
“you are back on the hook, you are close to the edge, right here” “you keep bobbing, weaving, and ducking”
ATTORNEY GENERAL WARNING: Alberto Gonzales may be hazardous to your nation’s health.
Americans understand the word ‘liar’. I would like to see just one of the folks on that stage last night on CNN call Bush a liar. Using just exactly that word.
I think things might be turning our way. I’m waiting for a written response from my Senator, Pat Roberts, who was chair of the intelligence committee at the time. His staff didn’t know much when I called. Although, the staff member did tell me that they may not be able to tell me anything ever…thought that was interesting.
It’s time for the SJC to vote out a contempt citation and make the Republicans filibuster the Senate vote.
Will Bush pardon gonzo? Inquiring minds want to know.
Abu would not have been instructed to go and tell such an outrageous and easily refuted lie unless he was being positioned as a faux shiny object to distract from some very real crimes.
But I think Whitehouse managed to hone in on one very real issue. As did Kennedy on the torture issue. He steadfastly refused to comment on Waterboarding etc, because he was protecting Cheney. Who is, in fact, a War Criminal.
My words won’t be any more intelligent or eloquent than any of the Firedoglake writers or Hunter (my hero), but I must add my lonely voice to the clamor nonetheless.
When is rule of law going to be restored in this country? Daschle’s confirmation makes it soooo obvious; if we don’t impeach AGAG, then we really are complicit in the damage to our Constitution.
‘Mericuh! F*ck Yeah!
bookwoman @ 6
Link? And which particular crime does Palast have in mind?
Funny, Sad. True…
http://freewayblogger.blogspot.....aders.html
A letter to the thousands of people who’ve offered to help me out.
Is it even possible to list all the lies he told today, so many lies within lies. Fine Christian there.
I am concerned that my party doesn’t understand the urgency of the situation. Look at the polls Democrats. We are not much than a year away from the elections.
That hearing room was hot hot hot today. They really put the squeeze on Gonzales, I just wish he would implode with the rest of the Bush administration compulsive liars.
http://www.c-span.org/
On the tarted up and dumbed down CBS Evening News with America’s sweetheart Katie Couric the lead story was on the stock drop of 200 points (for the folks living in Richistan), 2nd Story on the countless “scandals” in sport (basketball, cycling, baseball), 3rd story on registered sex offenders on MySpace and coming in a distant 4th a cursory look at Gonzo’s testimony. Our MSM, irrelivant, complicit, compliant and corrupt.
scarlet p. @ 18
707!!
Rockefeller calls him a liar, too.
It was a disgusting thing to watch, like three hours watching a grub worm squirm. I don’t know how the man shows his face.
Let’s not forget to be outrage, TPM reminds us:
It’s like the old joke: How can you tell Gonzales is lying? His lips are moving.
Anybody know how many stories Gonzales has told to date about the firings?
scarlet p. @ 18
they’ll never shut you up, hips or no hips
Woodhall Hollow @ 15
I am extremely concerned about no one who’s anyone is admitting that they decided to torture people for information.
Liar. Simple word. Understood by all.
Of course I think he is a f*ckin’ traitor!
scarlet p. @ 18
Well done. *S*
Tom “Mickey Mouse” Daschele:
“I have no recollection of such a meeting and believe that it didn’t occur. I am quite certain that at no time did we encourage the AG or anyone else to take such actions.”
Wow! What a MAN!!! He really told Abu, didn’t he?
That’s what we need in the Senate, more decisive Dems who phrase things in a way that you know he’s sure of what he’s saying!
“I am quite certain…”.
I miss Tom with his high voice and jellyfish persona.
I think the time for plain, straightforward talking has come! No more of this. He IS a liar.
Boston1775 @ 29
I am far more concerned about the fact that we have become a nation that tortures.
This was the weakest part of AGAG’s entire pathetic display today, in my opinion. A perfect (-ly bad) way to end his testimony.
Woodhall Hollow @ 15
[bold mine]
you know, Jim Comey is better at collecting gossip than just about anybody I know. And out of the blue the other day, he comes out with this statemnt about how PatFitz would make a great AG;
(not that it is reasonable to expect that Shrub would do that)
However, I have to wonder, was Comey trying to telegraph to someone (Sen. Schumer perhaps) that he has heard a rumor about a recess appointment for the AG?
SCARLOT!!! (Three exclamation points in profound honor of CTuttle.)
Try to stomach this one
http://www.weeklystandard.com/…..1rhkhq.asp
Yellow bellied Kristol has the nerve to talk about Cindy Sheehan and the troops
Kristol demonstrates all the signs of a true psychopath. He feels no shame, does not have a conscience, and could not recognize the truth if his own relatives lives depended on it.(well I bet he would recognize the truth then)!
scarlet p. @ 18
Hang in there, scarlet! And remember, ’shut up’ is the lame retort of the inarticulate. At least you got a rise out of him/her! :~) Love your signs!
Finally!
Abu = Liar.
Rinse. Repeat.
Abu = Liar.
Jane, you are so right. We can’t let this travesty continue. I will call my Congresspeople and tell them what we need them to do. But maybe another coordinated effort is needed to light the proverbial fire? Somehow, the leadership just doesn’t know how to seize the moment. It would do a heckuva lot for that low approval rating for Congress, but they can’t seem to see what’s in plain sight.
looseheadprop @ 36
LHP - I was wondering EXACTLY the same thing all day long. And just sitting here wondering if we might see a Friday resignation this week.
Just in time for the August recess.
OT -Paula Zahn exiting CNN next week
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/200.....v_cnn_zahn
Which reminds me. If a tree falls in the woods and nobody’s there does it make a noise? ; )
Also–I HOPE & PRAY that if Abu does resign, the Senate Judiciary committee continues to pursue contempt and perjury charges.
It would be a shame to let the little rat-bastard get away.
PMA @ 25
He squirmed, but he always had a smartass answer ready, usually interupting. Punky little creep.
Will there be a full-on August recess? I’m plugging my ears if you guys say yes.
Woodhall Hollow @ 44
To Paraguay?
Dover Bitch @ 35
Actually, I thought it was hilarious. it made me think of some sort of Monty Python skit.
So, if the President didn’t tell him to go, which we have established b/c if Shrub HAD told him to go, AGAG could have answered the question “yes.”
So that leaves only two possibilities:
1) AG and Card went on their own initiative (which I doubt, but the WH is clearly holding that possiblity in reserve in case the dou has to do a libby and take the fall for it),
Or
2) Cheney told them to go.
Guess which one I’m guessin’?
looseheadprop @ 36
YES. I am worried sick at the thought of the next recess appointments; we’ve already got a slew of people like Eric Edelman who have no business collecting a paycheck from us any longer still in office because of past recess appointments. We can’t get rid of them fast enough and now we might get more of them?
I think this is important enough that we should be contacting Reid’s and Pelosi’s offices and telling them that they can’t take the time off, that they MUST avoid recesses at all costs.
Is Rove AG’s puppet master or Cheney? Or both?
Woodhall Hollow @ 42
So much cynicism, so little time. (sigh)
Woodhall Hollow @ 44
agreed!
LHP, #2 is my guess.
Woodhall Hollow @ 44
ah, they would need to use civil contempt which IS NOT PARDONABLE (hint hint hint–to my beloved Senators)
Kathleen @ 50
Both. They have different areas of expertise. Rove’s portfolio is stealing and keeping a majority and/or its powers.
Cheney’s is stealing everything else.
Well, it was pretty late at night, right? And doesn’t the president go to bed at 8:30 or something?
looseheadprop @ 51
No recess
Loo Hoo. @ 46
ANY recess will allow for a possiblity of a recess appointment. This makes me queasy.
thanks y’all. I’ll keep painting signs and sticking them Wherever-I-Damn-Well-Please until someone stops me.
Gotta love living in a country where you can do this.
-scarlet
Remember how we recently pushed Democrats to force a Republican filibuster?
Shouldn’t we do the same thing to stop them from allowing an August recess?
Wouldn’t this be a perfect focused project for collective action on our part?
looseheadprop @ 58
Start calling out for Fitz. Is that possible?
looseheadprop @ 58
You mean you don’t think he’d choose Comey or Fitz?
looseheadprop @ 58
Heck, Rove thinks that lunch break qualifies as a recess.
Kathleen @ 50
Rove does have a long history with Bush going back to the old Texas days. And Daddy Bush I believe fired Rove. I think Rove knows exactly what Cheney is doing at all times. I’m no so sure it works the other way round.
Rayne @ 49
There just can’t be an August recess. There just can’t be.
*xyz @ 60
Yes
Well, here is a scenario which would be a show-stopper. Abu resigns, then Reid cancels the recess.
Oh shit–Rove already thought of that. They will wait until after the August recess for Abu to resign. Thus, there will not be a Friday resignation, this week.
Rayne @ 49
That is like a fundraising death knell to Dems in the House and Senate up for re-election in ‘08.
This is NOT a vacation for them. This is primo fundraising time. You want to just call up and say, “throw away both majorities. no biggie”
If you are going to ask them to keep the shop open, you have to tell them how we can make up the lost contributions. Even so, they will be scared shitless AND their members will be furious at them
I don’t think he can resign. He’s the firewall between between Congress and the rest of the administration. Since he doesn’t have the self respect to commit hira kiri, impeachment is the only answer.
Time to start impeach hearings for GONZO!
Cozumel @ 43
Good…..one down….
looseheadprop @ 51
Aint that the truth.
545 days. 17 hours. 25 minutes.
Plenty of time for them to destroy a lot more, when you think about it.
We Must. Not. allow any recess appointments. It’s the sneaky way out, and you know Bushco always take the sneaky way out.
Rayne @ 55
Very true
If the Senate comes right out and calls Gonzo a LIAR then that would mean they would have to do something meaningful other than compose a strongly worded letter. He’s already been given enough rope to hang himself now it time for the Dems to stop flailing about looking for a tree.
looseheadprop @ 68
They could run a very short work week? Not really be there much but still be officially in session???
I really hate to be the pedant, but since no one’s mentioned it yet: “Daschle” is misspelled in the headline.
*xyz @ 60
Yes, yes and Yes.
Do we have a front-pager willing to put out a quick posting on this? Please?
Diva
Kathleen @ 65
To elaborate - this situation really reminds me of the “make them filibuster” movement, which was a resounding success, both in the political short term and as part of a long-term strategy to hang the war around the necks of Republican representatives.
Likewise, if the Democrats were to keep a quorum in session through August, it would show, again, that the Democrats are willing to work hard - to literally work overtime - to protect the country against Bush and to live up to their own obligations as representatives. Like the filibuster - it would be great theater to see the Democrats in session through August - they could use their extra time in D.C. as a opportunity for speaches and discussions of Bush’s wrongdoing and the Democratic alternative vision. I doubt the Republicans on the Hill would show up for any of it. So it would be a great study in contrasts.
Most importantly, it would stop Bush from making inappropriate appointments, such as one of Alberto Gonzales’ replacement.
Bluetoe @ 14
You can count on it. Generalissimo Gonzo is.
@ 72
she wasn’t even nice to the redtail hawks
VictorLaszlo @ 76
Is it Daschel?
TexB @ 62
Gee, two guys who have already had the temerity to stand up to the WH and do their fuckin’ duty instead of Cheney’s bidding?
Hmmm, let me think….
Cindy challenges Pelosi
http://www.informationclearing.....e18066.htm
OT but with Paula Zahnn is being replaced by Campbell Brown who is married to Dan Secor a loyal Republican apparatchik. No bias there!
Elliott @ 80
And now they still live there–while she was the one to get thrown out!
Bluetoe @ 84
Shit, I knew I’d heard that name before. Mrs. Dan Senor. Pathetic.
Woodhall Hollow @ 85
hee hee hee
Could they spot each other and plan for fundraising times/dates? Make sure important votes are arranged in time for everyone to be back in DC?
Did nobody ask Abu what would happen if the Senate or House tried to cite Harriet or anybody else for civil contempt? I just wonder what he would have said?
Probably he would have just hedged in the normal Abu way “I can’t comment on a hypothetical”, but it would have been nice to ask the question, anyway.
I’m getting tired of fooling around. Our AG belongs in jail.
The Dems remind me of the parents that count to 10.
9…..9 1/2……9 3/4……ENOUGH.
Woodhall Hollow @ 75
They already run on a 4 day week to allow (some) to go home on the weekends.
Let me tell you, I have done “call time” and had fundraising dinners, this is the most time consuming activity known to man. And ethics rule prohibit them form doing any of it from government property
solai @ 90
GOOD!
looseheadprop @ 48
I thought it was hilarious, too. By “weakest,” I meant most transparently absurd. I like watching Schumer glancing around incredulously while AGAG was ducking the question.
Oh yeah, I think Cheney sent them.
Thad Beier @ 89
If I remember correctly, he said he had recused himself bc of conflict of interest.
Anyone looking forward to the treason trials that invariably occur when a fascist regime falls from power?
Edited for content and released by MOD.
Wow, that Daschle statement is something else. It’s like the meeting that never was, but was, but no one showed up.
Gonzo remember that imaginary meeting, but he can’t remember the 11/27/06 meeting.
(was the title of the post supposed to read “Daschele”?)
*xyz @ 78
I am trying to remember when/who (was it during the Newt madness?) there was a recess where there was a revolving quorum.
It would take enormous logistal work and absolute discilpine, but you could do revolving quorum where folks go home by appointment and come back.
But these fundraisers were scheduled months ago. It’s till a huge sacrifice.
I sent a note to Pelosi via The Gavel urging the Impeachment of Abu.
While Schumer was biting off the AG’s jugular the lawyers behind him went into a huddle. Gonzales frantically looks around the room for his mommy but all he could see was the shadow of Rove on the wall.
Like you said below, Jane -
Impeach him already!
The man’s a liar, and the committee members made it pretty plain they don’t believe him.
I coudn’t believe my ears when I heard an NPR reporter this afternoon say:
“One of the biggest mysteries in Washington is why the Attorney General still has his job.”
I was (in the car) screaming back–”It’s no mystery! Bush will never let him go ’cause gonzales knows his secrets!”
Bush will never fire him, no matter how many of the rest of us want him to. And he won’t resign. Impeachment is the only way.
Then we can go on to get the top two criminals impeached, once we dive in and find out it works.
If Conyers got busy, he could hurry up and begin impeachment proceedings against Abu before the recess.
Might want to correct the spelling of “Daschle” in the header of the post. I’ am such a wanker: first I correct Laura Rozen on “ad nauseam” and now this.
Also I hate posting via Motorola Q phone, but it kills time on the bus home.
looseheadprop @ 97
Perish the thought. Congress having to make sacrifices. Gives us a f….ing break, the military and the middle class have had to make plenty of sacrifices! Pity that a Congresspersons has to get off their fat asses and actually do something other than posture and bloviate.
looseheadprop @ 97
I would argue that it is still worth it.
Democrats in Congress: you all have a nice month off.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fivhkVDblzs
I lost count of the number of times I have asked that very question. What the hell would it take? I’m starting to think there is nothing they can do that would move anyone to stop bushco.
Oklahoma kiddo @ 64
Rove, Bush, Cheney are just the operatives and actors in this little drama. The conspiracy is multi-generational and at least 40 years in the making. The primary agent for subverting the Federal Judiciary, The Federalist Society, is 25 year old this year. I think the best explanation, at this moment, is a gradual aggregation of various groups with different agendas who all agree on the method to reach their goals..Subversion of the Constitution.