Think Progress

BREAKING: Senators want Gonzales no-confidence vote.

At a press conference moments ago, Sens. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) called on the Senate to hold a no-confidence vote on Attorney General Alberto Gonzales.

[flv http://video.thinkprogress.org/2007/05/feinnc.320.240.flv]

Transcript:

FEINSTEIN: I join with Sen. Schumer in saying I think the time has come for the Senate to express its will. And that will is simply to say that we lack confidence in Attorney General Gonzales. I don’t like saying this. I very much regret saying it. I want to say exactly the opposite. But in view of what I know, I can’t.

Whether it was the torture memo, whether it’s Guantanamo, whether it’s Geneva Convention, whether it’s U.S. Attorneys, whether it’s I don’t know I can’t recall, a department as major as this, I don’t think the American people are well served. I’m hopeful this can be worked out. But there comes a time when you have to say what you think, and this is what I think.

UPDATE: The AP has details.

Digg It!



91 Responses to “BREAKING: Senators want Gonzales no-confidence vote.”

  1. Zooey says:

    Then get on it, so the Chimp can publicly support Abu G — again.


  2. Spudge_Boy says:

    Run the scum bag out of town.


  3. Kay says:

    Can we have the same thing for Chimpy and Dead-Eye Dick?


  4. profmarcus says:

    it’s about damn time they get serious about this… after reading greenwald reinforcing my own view that things are so out of control with bush and the white house, we need to be taking some very serious and very assertive steps to reclaim our country… a no-confidence vote is a small step, but at least it’s in the right direction…

    And, yes, I DO take it personally


  5. Mr. Bush Goes To Hell says:

    DO IT!!

    Gonzo, Bush, etc. are ALL going DOWN for DOJ corruption, TORTURE,
    exposing CIA spies, ILLEGAL WARS OF AGGRESSION, etc.


  6. Crump's Brother says:

    Here’s the pro-free speech Repubs at their best.

    Read this

    “Michigan GOP leader wants Paul barred from future debates” due to remarks made about 9-11.

    http://www.mlive.com/newsflash/michigan/index.ssf?/base/news-44/117935695635230.xml&storylist=newsmichigan


  7. Crump's Brother says:

    JUST IMPEACH HIM!!!


  8. ggibson says:

    These people are shameless… isnt things like this meant for honorable people to admit the errors of their ways?


  9. valiantthelover says:

    so the fuck what!!!
    they can hold a no confidence vote, which they won’t get a majority.

    but these stupid, retarded Liberals seem to forget that we don’t live under a parlimentry system!

    This is a waste of tax payers money since IF they got enough to pass a no confident vote against Gonzalez, NOTHING WILL HAPPEN TO HIM!!

    this is a political circus!!!

    No wonder that according to the last Gallup Poll the Democratic Led Congress has a 29% approval rating!!!

    and Feingold, what is this witch talking about, she is more corrupt than her corrupt friend Reid.

    stupid, stupid, pure and utter stupidity.


  10. kdoug says:

  11. IraqVet says:

    Geez…

    I (personally) think he’s gonna last until BUSH is out of office…But I am wondering what company would hire this INCOMPETENT IDIOT and who would pay him!!!

    I mean if he forgets IMPORTANT meetings that affect the nation, then he won’t be worth sh*t in private practice!

    WHAT A JACK*SS!!! I could ONLY hope that he has his license yanked and is disgraced from his current position…

    But I’m not going to hold my breath…Because his IGNORANCE is ONLY eclipsed by the the IDIOT in CHIEF…


  12. Marie says:

    And what exactly does that mean? He will still remain in place?


  13. Tom says:

    I am wondering what company would hire this INCOMPETENT IDIOT and who would pay him!!!

    There are plenty of companies that would take care of Gonzo. They are all in Texas. After all, that’s where a moron like GDumbya has always been able to find a job. And his last legal stooge, Harriet “Not Ready for Prime-Time” Meiers has once again found gainful employment.


  14. Marie says:

    #6, crump
    I heard that this morning while at work – I couldn’t pay full attention. Thanks for putting that up here — I shouldn’t be astonished, but I am — that they would shut out a legitimate canidate because they don’t like what he says.


  15. GO says:

    DOn’t regret anything Feinstein. No regrets, gonzo deserves to be called out on his BS.


  16. Buck Fush says:

    And then what? Will they stamp their feet and hold their breath? Impeach the whole lot of them, like they should have 5 years ago.

    Hating the repukian criminals daily


  17. Mr. Bush Goes To Hell says:

    He’s NOT going to last.

    Once the little birdies start SINGING (Monica G. is FIRST), Gonzo, Rove as well as Bush and Cheney are DONE FOR.

    Susan Ralston, Rove and Delay’s former aide, has requested IMMUNITY like MONICA GOODLING.

    http://www.suntimes.com/news/novak/389572,CST-EDT-NOVAK17.article

    If this isn’t a Rove trick (it COULD be), but otherwise Rove may be DONE.

    And if Bush’s BRAIN is done, so is Bush…

    God Bless America, the Democrats, SUBPOENAS and the WORLD!!!



  18. Kay says:

    I really like Sen. Feinstein — always have. What a bright, candid woman.

    Unlike the piece 0f sh*t we have for Sec.of State :
    Kinda-sleezy-lice.

    The whole kit and kaboodle of this admin is CROOKED. Every god damn one of the members of this admin from the Top Down are DISHONEST, COVERT AND EACH DAY WANT TO DO AWAY WITH OUR CONSTITUTION.

    I say, IMPEACH THEM ALL!

    Now.


  19. MrBlueSky says:

    This is just posturing… unless the House AND the Senate grow a set (and SOON!), then a no confidence vote is meaningless because Bushit still believes in this pompous a– Gonzales.


  20. whiteyfresh says:

    SO, WHEN IS SAID nO cONFIDENCE VOTE??
    (dang caps….)


  21. mark says:

    IMPEACH HIM NOW!!!


  22. MAF54 says:

    Pfft. Our system does not allow “votes of no confidence”. That’s a European thing.


  23. Saywho says:

    So this vote will need 2/3rd majority and let’s start the betting.

    I bet $5.00 that they don’t get quite enough votes! Seeing the AG go would be great but like the Feingold bill to get out of Iraq don’t you think the vote will be pretty much 50-50?


  24. snarkmaster says:

    Don’t get me wrong, Abu should have been impeached and imprisoned long ago… but…. come on, a vote of no confidence? Ooooooo, the Dems are pulling out the BIG guns. Jesus, what a bunch of wimps for Senators we have. We’re so far past leaving a horse’s head in the bed message, but all the Dems are willing to do is send a polite note saying they don’t have confidence in little Abu anymore any more… like Abu cares what the Senate thinks.

    IMPEACH and IMPRISON him NOW!!!


  25. RUCerious says:

    there comes a time when you have to say what you think, and this is what I think.
    Gonzales, your a fu(king traitor!


  26. Namtillaku says:

    They’re going after the wrong guy.


  27. IraqVet says:

    Thanks for straightening me out Tom!!!

    I forgot that cronyism STARTED in Texas and is still going on under P*ssy (oops) I mean Perry!


  28. erock says:

    Pfft. Our system does not allow “votes of no confidence”. That’s a European thing.

    Comment by MAF54 — May 17, 2007 @ 2:56 pm

    It’s also a symbolic thing as is the case here.


  29. DM says:

    It should be a near-unanimous vote.

    It doesn’t change the landscape… except for those who vote against it and are seeking reelection.


  30. Namtillaku says:

    Pfft. Our system does not allow “votes of no confidence”. That’s a European thing.

    Comment by MAF54 — May 17, 2007 @ 2:56 pm

    Hey look! Our resident lover of pedophiles is back.


  31. whiteyfresh says:

    MAF54=TURDBLOSSUM


  32. Spudge_Boy says:

    I (personally) think he’s gonna last until BUSH is out of office…But I am wondering what company would hire this INCOMPETENT IDIOT and who would pay him!!!

    He can get a job at Regent University teaching Backwards Law 101.


  33. JTitor says:

    After Gonzo, then Cheney, and the next day Rove….so on….to Bush. The days just gotten better!


  34. Tom3 says:

    Repuke Troll is a perv.

    MAF54 is Mark Foley’s nickname.

    Repuke troll likes underage boys.


  35. jeff says:

    Finally. I can’t wait to see the Republican holdouts.


  36. CompTROLLER V-1 says:

    I would like to call a vote of no-confidence on Feinstein. Seriously, what makes her a hero? She represents a state that is most of what’s wrong with this country – ridiculously high crime, taxes (and slowly declining tax base), gangs, pollution, illegal immigration, you name it. Heroes, outside of Hollywood movies, are coming from California these days? They are the example of what should be done?

    Hypocrites, all of them. This congress, so far, is ineffective. “No-confidence” votes are a waste of time. Bush already knows that Congress hates most of his appointees.


  37. WaltTheMan says:

    #35 – jeff,
    They’ll all be lobbyists in about 593 days.


  38. Patrick1 says:

    So are we a parliament now? These moonbats make me laugh.


  39. bye bye GOP says:

    What difference will a no confidence vote make? Impeach the lying bastard already!


  40. alex says:

    what’s sad is that it took all of this crazy shit for them to finally grow some cajones….


  41. Happy Guy says:

    A vote of no confidence? Is that as impressive as a UN sanction?

    ROTFL


  42. squegeebooo says:

    If it manges to pass, it’s great political capital. Heck, with how the media is, if it even gets over 45% it’ll be great political capital.


  43. Spudge_Boy says:

    A vote of no confidence? Is that as impressive as a UN sanction?

    ROTFL

    Comment by Happy Guy — May 17, 2007 @ 3:30 pm

    Why not, that is what you guys use as an excuse to attack Iraq.

    Knocked that one out of the park.

    Next.


  44. Peter says:

    #6 Crump,

    This is the same crew which cancelled the 2004 republican primary in Michigan saying in their announcement, ‘we know who is going to win, so there is no reason to hold a vote’. That was too close to the argument of Bush v. Gore – ‘we know Bush won, there is no need to count the votes’. It’s a fairly stark example of what Republicans really think about democracy.

    It is no surprise that the Michigan delegation is calling for this, Mitt Romney’s dad was Governor in Michigan. This is just another case of the bigwigs in the smoke-filled-room pulling strings for junior. You’d think they’ve had learned by now …


  45. Angry One says:

    For the latest news, document dumps, email archives, hearing transcripts and other essential materials in the firings of U.S. attorneys, see:
    “The U.S. Attorney Scandal Documents.”


  46. heyzeus says:

    Comptroller just gave Patrick1 a squeeegeeboo and made him a happy guy.


  47. Roland says:

    what is sad about Feinstein comments is that she invokes her right to speak out when enough is enough as she says ‘ … it is time to speak out …’ psssttt hey shithead it was time to speak out a long time ago …is she telling us that it is just now that her conscience is kicking in? … some fucking democrats … I really cannot tell the difference between light brown shit and dark brown shit when the hues are getting fainter and fainter … these idiotic ‘merkuns should have enough of that one party system of theirs and try others … you shitheads are ruining the world …


  48. Zooey says:

    It’s amazing what the trolls will get behind, just so they can feel like they’re “winning” or “better.”


  49. Mr. Evil says:

    Patrick1 must make scat films. He sure finds it easy to swallow shit.


  50. squegeebooo says:

    Comptroller just gave Patrick1 a squeeegeeboo and made him a happy guy.

    Sweet, I’m a noun and a verb now.


  51. Tom3 says:

    Are the stupid Repuke trolls still backing Gonzales?

    Jeez, they get dumber and dumber every day.

    Must be in the water.


  52. jdavid60 says:

    I found this concise list of the reasons why there is no confidence in Alberto Gonzales and why he must go:
    http://www.listafterlist.com/ListResults/tabid/57/ListID/7155/Default.aspx


  53. CompTROLLER V-1 says:

    Comment by heyzeus

    I love it when they resort to joking because they know they can’t formulate any kind of effective response. I just LOVE it.


  54. Jim says:

    Um, how about impeachment. Drag Gonzalez through the mud of impeachment hearings, then bring him for trial in the Senate, and then throw his ass out.


  55. impeachcheneythenbush says:

    I’m assuming this is a kind of straw vote, to determine whether or not the Senate would convict if the House impeaches. Any noise from the House in this direction?


  56. CompTROLLER V-1 says:

    Comment by Zooey

    It’s amazing what you will get behind, just so you can feel like you’re “winning” or “better.”

    California, what an exemplary state….with some of the worst politicians – ever.


  57. heyzeus says:

    happy to be so entertaining!


  58. Democrat Soldier says:

    #55 – “California, what an exemplary state….with some of the worst politicians – ever.” Comment by CompTROLLER V-1 — May 17, 2007 @ 3:50 pm

    Yeah, it’s the state responsible for the Pres. Reagan debacle, and the Duke Cunnnningham scandal.

    Yup. Some of the worst politicians ever.


  59. TerrytheTurtle says:

    Dem Soldier:

    What about Tricky Dickie? You are not including him in your list? How’d he get away with that?


  60. powkat says:

    The Michigan Republican party is typified by my home town, Midland. It’s the corporate headquarters of Dow Chemical and as insular and narrow minded as you would imagine. They call themselves ‘The City of Churches’ – there a a pantsload of them – but they worship money and power. I couldn’t wait to leave – and have only been back to visit my parents’ graves (and those are 10 miles out of town – basically I drive thru) in the last 35 years.


  61. ecoast says:

    No confidence motion means nothing – it’s just a sense of the senate resolution kind of thing. I think they should start impeachment proceedings, starting with House Judiciary Committee.


  62. ForTruth says:

    I’m pretty sure someone is eligible for impeachment at this point. Take your pick.


  63. Happy Guy says:

    Uh, right Spooge Girl. After 12 years and how many useless UN sanctions Saddam still thumbed his nose. UN sactions are useless. They mean nothing without force behind them.

    You don’t get it, you are too stupid to breed. Good thing you like to diddle boys.

    ROTFL – NEXT


  64. Shane says:

    If you trolls aren’t worried why did you all flock here at one time? Please stop crapping all over the good news, you’re stinking up the place.


  65. Shane says:

    Comptroller just gave Patrick1 a squeeegeeboo and made him a happy guy.

    Comment by heyzeus — May 17, 2007 @ 3:35 pm

    I wish they’d get a room!
    But look MAF54 is still hanging out at the playground, disgusting.


  66. Spudge_Boy says:

    #

    Uh, right Spooge Girl. After 12 years and how many useless UN sanctions Saddam still thumbed his nose. UN sactions are useless. They mean nothing without force behind them.

    You don’t get it, you are too stupid to breed. Good thing you like to diddle boys.

    ROTFL – NEXT

    Comment by Happy Guy — May 17, 2007 @ 4:04 pm

    Oh good one. You really got me. Dork.


  67. Shane says:

    What about Tricky Dickie? You are not including him in your list? How’d he get away with that?

    Comment by TerrytheTurtle — May 17, 2007 @ 3:56 pm

    And the Governator.


  68. dbadass says:

    MAF54:
    Obviously you have chosen this “handle” for some reason which is meaningful to you. I think it is also safe to assume that you comprehend the reference. I am curious why. I assure you I will not attack you for your explaination. It just sketches me out a little bit and not in any phobic way. I am quessing you just want to try to “push the buttons” of others


  69. dbadass says:

    Is Israel currently in violation of any UN sanctions? Just curious as I really don’t know.


  70. CFM 56-3 says:

    Here’s the pro-free speech Repubs at their best. Read this“Michigan GOP leader wants Paul barred from future debates” due to remarks made about 9-11.

    What I find odd about this is that viewers of FOX were asked to send in their text messages about who was the best of the debate. Ron Paul came in behind Romney and ahead of Guiliani. The Michigan GOP leader should take note of that.


  71. tom baker says:

    hooray for R. Paul’s “naderizing” of the GOP field!!!!

    go asshats!!!!


  72. CFM 56-3 says:

    Uh, right Spooge Girl. After 12 years and how many useless UN sanctions Saddam still thumbed his nose. UN sactions are useless. They mean nothing without force behind them. -Happy Gey

    The UN sanctions that brought about the use of military force have been debunked. (NO WMD or NUKES) But I suppose you like being the Keystone cops for group, the UN, consisting of third world countries and despots who like to bang their shoes on the desk.


  73. Wayne says:

    Can I propose a no confidence vote from US voters on Pelosi, for her refusal to allow impeachment to be considered?


  74. Briseadh na Faire says:

    6, thanks for the link. More proof that the Republican Party of today only stands for War, Torture, Spying on Americans, Kidnapping, Imprisonment without Trial, Forced Gestation, Gender Based Discrimination, and lower taxes for the wealthy creating Family Dynasties.


  75. OxyCon says:

    Impeachment and disbarment is what Gone-zo deserves.


  76. Maeven says:

    Dianne Feinstein, “I join with Sen. Schumer in saying I think the time has come for the Senate to express its will. And that will is simply to say that we lack confidence in Attorney General Gonzales. I don’t like saying this. I very much regret saying it. I want to say exactly the opposite. But in view of what I know, I can’t.”

    Well! She sure told him!


  77. Zooey says:

    Well! She sure told him!
    Comment by Maeven

    Wet noodles really sting.


  78. yowzer says:

    oh I see, another act of Congress for the bushliar-criminal to thumb his nose at.
    .


  79. Jim says:

    I think Gonzales is in over his head. Maybe we should move all Justice Department actions to small claims court.


  80. Karim says:

    It’s official: you may now stick a fork in Gonzo’s fat rear, cause he’s done.


  81. Patrick says:

    You don’t get it, you are too stupid to breed. Good thing you like to diddle boys…

    the stupid Repuke trolls…

    These moonbats…

    so the Chimp can…

    by the the IDIOT in CHIEF…

    Every time a comment like these are made, an incompetent politician gains a little more power.



  82. Arnold says:

    “Senator Feinstein not mincing any words there…:”

    Please, this was as soft as it could possibly be. Another example of how our Democratic leadership is well intentioned, intelligent and a bunch of wussies. “I hate saying this, I don’t want to say this, but there comes a time…?”. WTF? How about: “Mr. Gonzales is grossly unqualified, is showing contempt for the rule of law and is clearly and undoubtedly allowing the executive branch to interfere with his obligations to America. He has failed in his primary responsibility and has shown zero awareness of this fact and zero willingness to cooperate with the legislative branch.”

    Please God, let the Democrats get a spine this year and stop acting like a bunch of apologetic wussies.


  83. Eric says:

    SEN. Dianne Feinstein has resigned from the Military Construction Appropriations subcommittee. As previously and extensively reviewed in these pages, Feinstein was chairperson and ranking member of MILCON for six years, during which time she had a conflict of interest due to her husband Richard C. Blum’s ownership of two major defense contractors, who were awarded billions of dollars for military construction projects approved by Feinstein.

    As MILCON leader, Feinstein relished the details of military construction, even micromanaging one project at the level of its sewer design. She regularly took junkets to military bases around the world to inspect construction projects, some of which were contracted to her husband’s companies, Perini Corp. and URS Corp.
    Advertiser Links

    Foreclosures – Real Estate Investing
    Your Online Real Estate Investing Resource.

    San Jose.com Real Estate
    Relocating to San Jose or Silicon Valley? Let San Jose.com introduce you to some expert area real estate agents.

    Perhaps she resigned from MILCON because she could not take the heat generated by Metro’s expose of her ethics (which was partially funded by the Investigative Fund of the Nation Institute). Or was her work on the subcommittee finished because Blum divested ownership of his military construction and advanced weapons manufacturing firms in late 2005?

    The MILCON subcommittee is not only in charge of supervising military construction, it also oversees “quality of life” issues for veterans, which includes building housing for military families and operating hospitals and clinics for wounded soldiers. Perhaps Feinstein is trying to disassociate herself from MILCON’s incredible failure to provide decent medical care for wounded soldiers.

    Two years ago, before the Washington Post became belatedly involved, the online magazine Salon.com exposed the horrors of deficient medical care for Iraq war veterans. While leading MILCON, Feinstein had ample warning of the medical-care meltdown. But she was not proactive on veteran’s affairs.

    Feinstein abandoned MILCON as her ethical problems were surfacing in the media, and as it was becoming clear that her subcommittee left grievously wounded veterans to rot while her family was profiting from the occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan. It turns out that Blum also holds large investments in companies that were selling medical equipment and supplies and real estate leases—often without the benefit of competitive bidding—to the Department of Veterans Affairs, even as the system of medical care for veterans collapsed on his wife’s watch.

    As of December 2006, according to SEC filings and http://www.fedspending.org, three corporations in which Blum’s financial entities own a total of $1 billion in stock won considerable favor from the budgets of the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs:

    # Boston Scientific Corporation: $17.8 million for medical equipment and supplies; 85 percent of contracts awarded without benefit of competition.

    # Kinetic Concepts Inc.: $12 million, medical equipment and supplies; 28 percent noncompetitively awarded.

    # CB Richard Ellis: The Blum-controlled international real estate firm holds congressionally funded contracts to lease office space to the Department of Veterans Affairs. It also is involved in redeveloping military bases turned over to the private sector.

    You would think that, considering all the money Feinstein’s family has pocketed by waging global warfare while ignoring the plight of wounded American soldiers, she would show a smidgeon of shame and resign from the entire Senate, not just a subcommittee. Conversely, you’d think she might stick around MILCON to try and fix the medical-care disaster she helped to engineer for the vets who were suckered into fighting her and Bush’s panoply of unjust wars.


  84. Eric says:

    Funny how TP just investigates what it thinks is corruption. Totally loses all credibility in it’s hypocrisy. It’s mission statement is a joke. It’s silence is deafening.


  85. Stan says:

    I’ve enjoyed reading the drooling rants of you liberal whack jobs. A no-confidence vote means nothing. Perhaps Congress should look at how America has no confidence in CONGRESS before it points its finger at others.


  86. seneca says:

    People this cooked gov. goes back a the good old day of 1913,when we paid no taxes…yes this country paid no tax on labor, just the selling of fire arms, tobacco, liquor, and people who owned industries had to pay.They never voted to tax THE labor as of yet, and yet they make you think you as a labor you must, to kept this country going.The world bank is own by four families who make paper money for our gov.Our taxes go to these families who control the money through wars, YES HALF YOUR TAX IS FOR WAR or defense…They also control the stock market with it.
    3 of our president’s want to tell the people that this gov did not have the right to tax a working mans money only , if he wanted it taken out. It makes since to pay into social security.
    The world bank and the congress have gotten so rich off of ripping off the stock market and doing insider trading on your money ,tax and investments, its the best kept secret of corruption , than what they are doing with drug money changing and stealing oil out of Iraq.Channy was the ceo of the company that went over to Iraq to fix the oil meteors.They fixed them alright. Just look up world bank.
    get a clue America,,Oh , agreed did the people to pay taxes for the war of world war 1 and 2 then it was supose to stop and it did not.
    Ask you congress men and women if this is true. If there is a paper saying you as a laboring person must pay tax…Ask them to show you these paper were they were sign for labors..Ask this question or search it out. WORLD BANK LOOK THEM UP….TOO, pres.KENNIDY JEFFERSON JACKSON….See if Bushes aren’t oil baron’s …OPEN THE EYE. Old man Bush a CIA man as well. Controll controll.
    America is not free and only when this question is asked by all , it will never be. We pay to brake up families by paying tax ….


  87. S Henderson says:

    Do not resign Gonsales. Those Democrat Senators should have to have a “no confidence” vote on them. They are pathetic


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