Did he resign for the kids?
After stating earlier this year, “I’m not going to resign — I’m going to stay focused on protecting our kids,” Alberto Gonzales announced his resignation this morning but declined to give an explanation. Gonzales said:
Yesterday I met with President Bush and informed him of my decision to conclude my government service as attorney general of the United States effective as of September 17th, 2007. … And I am profoundly grateful to President Bush for his friendship and for the many opportunities he has given me to serve the American people.
After a short statement, Gonzales rushed off the podium, hounded by questions such as, “Why are you leaving?” Watch it:
UPDATE: The AP has a round-up of reactions from lawmakers and others to Gonzales’ resignation. The Gavel has more.
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67 Responses to “Did he resign for the kids?”
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He got one look at the DC jail, someone whispered INHERENT CONTEMPT in his ear, and poof!!!!!!!
August 27th, 2007 at 11:11 ampress “conference…?” uh… 60 seconds barely counts as a cameo appearance…
And, yes, I DO take it personally
August 27th, 2007 at 11:11 amGitmo may not necessarily be closed once Bush leaves office. Just sayin, with the President’s ability to designate anyone an enemy combattant and all.
August 27th, 2007 at 11:12 amWait - lemme guess. He’s got kids in college, and he needs to quit working ASAP!
August 27th, 2007 at 11:13 amThe kids are alright. Lights out Gonzo.
August 27th, 2007 at 11:14 amI figured, after seeing places such as Redstate calling for Gonzo’s resignation, it was just a matter of time.
August 27th, 2007 at 11:14 amyah, him and Mark Foley both do it for the kids…
August 27th, 2007 at 11:14 amWhat he forgot to say was “I also want to thank my amigo W for getting me that SU-WEET gig as the Magistrate in Crawford, TX. Now I can handle all those yummy spousal abuse and ‘DUI-in-a-pickup’ cases. Maybe even sentence some to a good ol’ fashioned waterboarding while I am at it. This will be KEEN!”
August 27th, 2007 at 11:15 amAnother “short-notice” resignation. It sure smells like something is up with GDumbya’s White House and the rats are scurrying out very quickly.
Wouldn’t you think that Gonzo would want to stick around a little bit longer and assist with his replacement’s transition?
Oh, yes. I forgot. Gonzo would be worthless in the orientation process because he “doesn’t recall” anything.
Bye, bye, Gonzo. Please do let the door hit you on the way out.
August 27th, 2007 at 11:17 amFirst Rove quits, now Gonzo. It just seems to easy to me. Something here doesn’t feel right.
August 27th, 2007 at 11:17 amWill Mr. Gonzales be vacationing in Paraguay this year? I hear it’s a lovely place to get reacquainted with your family.
August 27th, 2007 at 11:17 amAnyone else bothered by this quote?
And I am profoundly grateful to President Bush for his friendship and for the many opportunities he has given me to serve the American people.
Wouldn’t serving the American people be more important than a friendship with the president?
What does being buddies with Dubya have to do with being an Attorney General?
Ohhhh yeahhh, now I get it. Friendship superscedes all. Kinda like selling your soul…Don’t forget to thank the Dark Master first and foremost!
August 27th, 2007 at 11:18 amNo worries, Al.
I’m sure you can still get a job teaching christo-fascist law at Pat Robertson University.
August 27th, 2007 at 11:18 am#
First Rove quits, now Gonzo. It just seems to easy to me. Something here doesn’t feel right.
Comment by Proud American Liberal — August 27, 2007 @ 11:17 am
#
Agreed.
August 27th, 2007 at 11:18 am. . . and I suppose that SnowJob will be announcing his resignation any day now, too.
August 27th, 2007 at 11:19 amI hope everyone is excited about the premier of The Gonzales Factor, debuting on Fox News this fall.
August 27th, 2007 at 11:21 amhasta la vista, Fredo!
August 27th, 2007 at 11:22 am“Because that’s what King George told me to do!!
Love,
Alberto”
August 27th, 2007 at 11:22 am#
. . . and I suppose that SnowJob will be announcing his resignation any day now, too.
Comment by tom — August 27, 2007 @ 11:19 am
He already has, was because he “Didn’t make enough money to take care of his medical needs and his family”.
August 27th, 2007 at 11:23 amHere’s a look back at The Top 10 Reasons Gonzales Had to Go:
August 27th, 2007 at 11:27 am1. Lying Under Oath
2. Purging Prosecutors
3. Misusing the Patriot Act’s National Security Letters
4. Authorizing Illegal NSA Domestic Surveillance
5. Enabling John Yoo and Unchecked Presidential War Powers
6. Rendering the Geneva Conventions “Quaint”
7. Supporting Military Commissions and the End of Habeas Corpus
8. Blessing Unprecedented Expansion of Presidential Signing Statements
9. Facilitating a CIA Leak Cover-Up
10. Gutting Minority Voting Rights
They’re running cuz new documents are going to be released indicating Rove/Gonzo conspired on several items
August 27th, 2007 at 11:27 am#10–I completely agree. Something is not right. Too many loyalists running out the door too fast.
I’m guessing it’s Iran.
August 27th, 2007 at 11:28 amThere goes Bush’s political-scandal firewall. Anyone who wants the job will have to face a senate no longer disposed to just approving Bush’s choices.
If he replaces Gonzo with Chertoff, Chertoff will undergo a senate confirmation hearing that’ll curl his hair - if he had any, that is.
August 27th, 2007 at 11:28 amWhen will the putrid Chimp resign, taking his FU Cheney with him? Since Bush’s minions have now all resigned in disgrace, why doesn’t the filth of the nation follow them into obscurity?
August 27th, 2007 at 11:28 amI’m guessing it’s Iran.
Comment by Punchy — August 27, 2007 @ 11:28 am
#
I seriously hope you are wrong.
August 27th, 2007 at 11:30 amHis departure doesn’t close the books on what has transpired while he was AG. It just prevents any additional damage by him. I will be looking for the legal proceedings on the missing emails and clarifications on his “I don’t recall” statements.
I just thought of this, if he decides to write a book on his adventures as AG then how will he fill in all those blank portions of his life that he can’t recall?
August 27th, 2007 at 11:31 amThe Stock Market is going to crash. When this happens, even the 26%s will have no reason to support these failed businessmen. People will want retribution. They will take it out on the Bush Cabal. Anyone with a brain has already left. They told Bush that everything would be okay until the end of his term, and not to sweat the lawyers swarming all over the White house and various agencies.
Bush will try to resurect his Mars program.
August 27th, 2007 at 11:32 amI’m not going to resign — I’m going to stay focused on protecting our kids.
That, somehow, knowing the Republican party, doesn’t exactly leave me feeling terribly chuffed.
August 27th, 2007 at 11:33 amCan they call him to testify & hold him in contempt if he doesn’t like they did with the other two gals???
Will Gonzo be able to avoid answering certain questions if Congress calls him to testify again???
Does anyone know who may be his replacement??? & could he be any WORSE than Gonzo???
I also want to say how :-) HAPPY :-) I am to see our nation’s leading lawyer not able to crap all over the CONSTITUTION anymore!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!…..at least at a national level….Farewell & good riddance!!!!
August 27th, 2007 at 11:34 amThe only reasons Alberto is stepping down is because the Bush Administration is in bunker mode.
The Bush Administration likely has some small hope that if they got rid of Rove and Gonzales that the Democrats would then leave them alone, well, that had better not be true.
Rove and Gonzales are only but a small part of the corruption so familiar to the Bush Administration, so the Dems had better not let the red herring distract them from actually restoring the checks and balances that are so obviously absent from this Administration.
My question is, if Chertoff does replace Gonzo, who replaces Chertoff?
August 27th, 2007 at 11:34 amYa hafta wonder… has the Toy Emperor flown so far out of orbit that even his closest associates feel a need to, uh, FLEE??? Someone should check and see if Alberto’s gittin’ his mail forwarded to Paraguay…
August 27th, 2007 at 11:34 amMy question is, if Chertoff does replace Gonzo, who replaces Chertoff?
Comment by upperclasstastrophe — August 27, 2007 @ 11:34 am
Chertoff is being replaced by the CEO of a marketing company. But of course, that’s not the qualification that gets him the job, he also keeps a George Bush doll on his desk. No shit.
The head of Homeland Security is picked for his loyalty to the Chimp. I guess this makes sense in a Rovian way, if Americans weren’t afraid before, this should strike fear in their hearts.
August 27th, 2007 at 11:39 amI guess the internal investigation that we won’t see has come to end and the news wasn’t good for Gonzo!
August 27th, 2007 at 11:40 amBut, but, think of the children! With Gonzo gone, WHO WILL UNDERMINE OUR CONSTITUTION? Who will condone TORTURE? Who will fire U.S. Attorneys who refuse to prosecute BASELESS charges against Democrats?
August 27th, 2007 at 11:43 amBob Day
Or the children.
August 27th, 2007 at 11:44 amI still want the asses of Gonzoles and Rove in court to face crimes of treason against the United States.
I don’t want either of them to fade away.
Words can’t convey how much contempt and hatred I have for these two men as well as all of BushCo.
Something stinks to high heaven here, and it’s the corpses of so many dead people.
August 27th, 2007 at 11:48 amThe Republicans are cleaning house for the next elections. No more Roves, no more Gonzaleses, Rumsfelds, etc. that Democrats can focus on. They will shut up your President soon and make Dick Cheney next to invisible, so the electorate will forget about the scandals. Remember, there is still more than a year to go and all this is about, is taking guns and ammo out of the Democratic Party’s hands. They’re cunning, beware!
August 27th, 2007 at 11:51 amGonzales is doing what we always knew he’d do.
Stonewalled and tough talked to the end, then, once the congress is on vacation, he resigns in disgrace, and calls it success.
August 27th, 2007 at 11:55 am“…his name dragged through the mud.”
The problem of a leader, any leader stating such idiotic lies to the public with a straight face is that it completely unhinges any integrity or credibility of the entire administration if not the government. The ramification of that being far more consequential than the lie or the reason for the lie.
The idea being the President is supposed to lead the country and not destroy it.
August 27th, 2007 at 11:57 amAnd as for his, “I’m staying for the kids”, BAWAHAHAHAAHHAHAHAHA.
Did anyone actually buy that bs? What has he done for the kids? He’s being investigated for high crimes and corruption, and he starts talking about how he loves the kids.
The guys gotta be two pair short of a full deck.
August 27th, 2007 at 11:57 amThere goes Bush’s political-scandal firewall. Anyone who wants the job will have to face a senate no longer disposed to just approving Bush’s choices.
Comment by barfly — August 27, 2007 @ 11:28 am
Don’t forget, Chimpy can still do a recess appointment over the Labor Day break.
August 27th, 2007 at 11:58 amI doubt very highly if his father’s best day was not better than son Alberto’s worst day. If his father was honest and and had honor, then any day was better than any of son Alberto’s days.
August 27th, 2007 at 11:59 amThe only reasons Alberto is stepping down is because the Bush Administration is in bunker mode.
Comment by upperclasstastrophe — August 27, 2007 @ 11:34 am
Now if that is true, our hope would be that he would go the next step that Dubya’s mini-mustachioed German leader hero took while in HIS bunker.
August 27th, 2007 at 12:00 pmMakes you stop and go HMMMM, doesn’t it?
You’re right Bruno. That “look in the camera and lie” policy of these chowderheads has done more damage to the US govt than any terrorist ever could.
Everyones always criticizing govt, but at least in the old days we thought there was at least an effort to do good, and be honest. But after these clowns now we look at our govt pretty much like the former citizens of the USSR looked at theirs.
With fear, complete distrust and contempt.
Thats all the Bush administration has left us.
August 27th, 2007 at 12:01 pmProtecting the kids. Why has Think Progress neglected to mention Gonzales and the Texas Youth Commission coverup involving child abuse at the hands of TYC administrators? This is a front page story that almost nobody seems to want to report.
August 27th, 2007 at 12:01 pmJustin asked:
Can they call him to testify & hold him in contempt if he doesn’t like they did with the other two gals???
You may have noticed that neither of the “other two gals” has had anything bad happen to them since Congress’ toothless “contempt” citation. Time for an Inherent Contempt Trial.
Will Gonzo be able to avoid answering certain questions if Congress calls him to testify again???
All Gonezo has to do is continue to say “I don’t recall” and he skates.
Does anyone know who may be his replacement??? & could he be any WORSE than Gonzo???
Everyone is saying Chertoff. I nominate Michael Vick–he’s got his own torture chamber in his house.
Comment by justin — August 27, 2007 @ 11:34 am
August 27th, 2007 at 12:04 pmI only wish I had more confidence in the Dems in Congress to actually do real questioning for future appointments. Bush will never put in anyone who:
1) has any brains,
2) will be truthful,
3) be faithful to anyone or anything but Bush
(have they ever heard of the Constitution?),
4) would ever say NO to Bush.
No matter how it plays out, we’re still screwed.
August 27th, 2007 at 12:06 pmI was just thinking of the timing.
Might not this dog and phony show be a distraction from the Presidential Cancer Forum going on righ now?
August 27th, 2007 at 12:13 pmI’m guessing it’s Iran.
Comment by Punchy — August 27, 2007 @ 11:28 am
I also seriously hope you’re wrong, but I did read that, as hated as Rove is, he acted as a counterbalance to Cheney’s push for war with Iran. I’m not sure what Gonzales’ stance was on the possibility.
August 27th, 2007 at 12:17 pmNotice….48 posts and not a single troll….how odd, the trolls don’t want to touch this one…hehe, fools.
August 27th, 2007 at 12:26 pmDoro you are right of course. This is all about the next elections.
Maneuvering yet again..
Whether all these guys are gone or not doesn’t change the fact laws were broken and it is the duty of Congress to hold them accountable and to try and put things right again in defense of our Constitution and our laws. We are a nation built on laws. If Congress doesn’t do that (which they swore an oath to do - “protect and defend the Constitution”), then they render our Constitution and our laws irrelevent. Democrat or Republican, the precedent will already be set for the next administrations to carry on with this abuse and over-reaching of power. It is too dangerous.
August 27th, 2007 at 12:31 pmThese investigations aren’t going to stop. They can’t.
Saints be praised!!! Next….?
August 27th, 2007 at 12:35 pmCaption: excuse me while I consult with my personal criminal lawyers.
August 27th, 2007 at 12:40 pmLOL he gets to pick his date of leaving? Anything could happen before September 17th, so why that date?
August 27th, 2007 at 12:51 pmRemember that Gonzales recently visited Iraq.
I wonder if he saw something there* that succeeded in freaking even him out, to the point of quitting.
* Kids in prisons, corruption, what-have-you
August 27th, 2007 at 12:53 pmAnd when reached for a comment Mary Jo had none.
August 27th, 2007 at 12:54 pmJG, yes. Their being out of office doesn’t wipe out their actions in office. If Congress does as it should neither Gonzales, nor Rove, nor all those hiding behind executive privilege will be able to outsmart the institutions of democracy. And if there is a chance to reinstate the balance of power, that is so essential to your liberty and democracy, it’s in the Congress committee’s work. If Democratic Congress(wo)men and Senators do the job they are elected for properly.
I am slightly apprehensive though. Democrats are politicians, too. And Mr Bush is laying tools so powerful into the next president’s hands, that no dyed in the wool politician will be able to resist using those tools. First for the good of the nation and foremost for their own good.
August 27th, 2007 at 12:59 pmSung to musical: “Bye-Bye Birdie”:
Bye-Bye Albie, we’re glad to see you go, bye-bye Albie, what do you really know?
August 27th, 2007 at 1:06 pmBye-bye Albie, we still will get your hide., listen Albie — we all know you lied!
You know how to kiss up,
you drink the Kool-aid cup,
your boss and Cheney too, will soon be joining you (in jail - I hope)
bye bye, Albie, adios until hearings begin
Bye-bye Albie, don’t think your friends will “defend” (you)…
UPDATE ON WORDING
Sung to musical: “Bye-Bye Birdieâ€:
Bye-Bye Albie, we’re glad to see you go, bye-bye Albie, what do you really know?
August 27th, 2007 at 1:10 pmBye-bye Albie, we still will get your hide., listen Albie — we all know you lied!
You know how to kiss up,
you drink the Kool-aid cup,
your boss and Cheney too, will soon be joining you (in jail - I hope)
bye bye, Albie, adios until indictmentS begin
Bye-bye Albie, don’t think your friends will “defend†(you)…
He was invited for lunch with Bush and told he was fired. It was the last meal with Satan. Now Bush is an idiot so Daddy told baby Bush get rid of Gonzo.
August 27th, 2007 at 1:32 pmGonzales in now a man without a race. He better not go to Mexico he might no be found again. Watch and see he wont be invited to the rich people parties anymore. Bush/Cheney used him for what they wanted and threw him out. Now will be replace Gonzo with another crook that will have to testify about the lawyers illegally fired. I don’t think Bush/Cheney know an honest lawyer at lease there’s not one in their group. Hi Libby needs a job, it’s hard out there for a convicted felon.
#44
You’re right Bruno. That “look in the camera and lie†policy of these chowderheads has done more damage to the US govt than any terrorist ever could.
Everyones always criticizing govt, but at least in the old days we thought there was at least an effort to do good, and be honest. But after these clowns now we look at our govt pretty much like the former citizens of the USSR looked at theirs.
With fear, complete distrust and contempt.
Thats all the Bush administration has left us.
Comment by FESTIVUS — August 27, 2007 @ 12:01 pm
That is WHAT THEY WANTED IN THE FIRST PLACE.
Watch this great, 3 part, BBC report that explains the TRUE Neocon movement, and its subversion of rational thought regarding human behavior and how this led them to their wacko Negative Freedom BS, and thusly that politicians and gov employees cannot be trusted to work for the better good. The Neocons feel that everyone ALWAYS has a self-betterment underlying thought process, and therefore, no one can ever truly work towards societal good. Ipso facto, Government that provides for the populace, is just gov workers using their influence to make it more likely they will be reelected and sustain their job. Hence the ridiculous statement by Grover Norquist:
“Shrink government to the size that it fits into a bathtub and then drown it.” Why do citizens elect people to government who evidentally do not believe in government, nor wish to run it?
THE TRAP: WHAT HAPPENED TO OUR DREAM OF FREEDOM?
Part 1 http://freedocumentaries.org/film.php?id=152
Part 2 http://freedocumentaries.org/film.php?id=153
Part 3 http://freedocumentaries.org/film.php?id=154
Other documentaries:
August 27th, 2007 at 1:38 pmhttp://freedocumentaries.org/
I’m reminded of a phrase - something about rodents and sinking ships…
August 27th, 2007 at 2:21 pmHe resigned for the kids? What total BS. America doesn’t care about it’s children. If it did it might try and be more like France where all children have universal health care, quality daycare/child care for all children, free university and trade school education. America likes to promote the myth that they care about “the children” but in reality they just want them to grow up to serve as instruments of the imperial military.
August 27th, 2007 at 2:22 pmFirst Rove quits, now Gonzo. It just seems to easy to me. Something here doesn’t feel right.
Comment by Proud American Liberal — August 27, 2007 @ 11:17 am
Heh, heh, heh, give libs what they want and they still complain. ;)
August 27th, 2007 at 3:40 pmHe resigned for the kids? What total BS. America doesn’t care about it’s children. If it did it might try and be more like France where all children have universal health care, quality daycare/child care for all children, free university and trade school education. America likes to promote the myth that they care about “the children†but in reality they just want them to grow up to serve as instruments of the imperial military.
Comment by gotoguy — August 27, 2007 @ 2:22 pm
We prefer that our children have some drive and sense of personal responsibility rather than being lazy and self serving. ;)
August 27th, 2007 at 3:42 pmWe prefer that our children have some drive and sense of personal responsibility rather than being lazy and self serving. ;)
Comment by upright left — August 27, 2007 @ 3:42 pm
Healthy and educated children are necessary, especially those in the third world who cannot fend for themselves . Do you agree upright left? If not, please explain why…
August 27th, 2007 at 7:50 pmComment by Mother Theresa — August 27, 2007 @ 7:50 pm
To begin with, Terry, the comment was about kids in the U.S. And yes, it’s best that all children are healthy and educated. The question is do the parents bear any responsibility for seeing that their children receive health care and education. In the process, the children learn to take responsibility as adults rather than sitting back and saying here I am, take care of me. ;)
August 27th, 2007 at 10:57 pm