Think Progress

Why Gonzales finally quit.

By Amanda Terkel on Sep 4th, 2007 at 1:50 pm

Why Gonzales finally quit.

Newsweek reports that although a former colleague urged outgoing Attorney General Alberto Gonzales to quit months ago, he hung on “believing the president wanted him to stay.” But the turning point came when an internal review by chief of staff Josh Bolten “concluded that Gonzales was so politically weak he had become an obstacle to Bush’s agenda, especially on the passage of an updated Foreign Intelligence Surveillance law.” No word on whether Bush asked for a raise of hands.

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40 Responses to “Why Gonzales finally quit.”

  1. Grand Moff Texan says:

    Just tell your pet pocho that you’re going “to the park.” Put him in the car and drive out in the country. Far. Then, get him all riled up and open the door.
    .


  2. Kay says:

    I thought Chimpy’s staff was given an ultimatum : stay the rest of term or leave.


  3. Ben B says:

    Well, knowing Gonzales’ record, you didn’t think he’d leave for a good reason, did you?


  4. Not Canadian says:

    “When in doubt, kick the credible ones out.”
    –Shrub the Dumbya’s mantra


  5. nanlichi says:

    I think Gonzo deserves our support, just as Bush does. I think we should support them with a noose just long enough so their heels are off the ground about 1/2 inch. When they can’t stand on tiptoes any longer and the calf muscles cramp up, maybe they can find the “resolve” to hang in there a little longer.

    After all, it’s what they are asking of our military, why not step up?


  6. VerbalKint says:

    It really took an internal review to reach this conclusion? I’m not buying it. This administration never releases information like this without a purpose. Here I think they are trying to concoct an innocent explanation for why Fredo left.


  7. dlet says:

    You mean it wasn’t to be with his family? Next job…official greeter at “G.W. Bush’s Building With A’lotta Books”


  8. ProgshateLatinosifthey'reRepublicans says:

    Gonzales quit because he was a feeble AG, continually permitting insolent and absurd Demoncrats to berate him about his unquestionable right to hire and fire US attorneys at will without accountability…as they’re ALL political hires who serve at the pleasure of Bush. Instead of bashing assuming Dems who were forging a scandal out of nothing with this information and citing BJ Clinton’s firing of 93 attorneys as precedent, Gonzales oftentimes appeared under fire when he DIDN’T need to be. Still, Gonzales deserves some praise for achievements in his tenure, the most prominent being that he was able to continue the domestic “spying” program and stay on until FISA was extended and updated. Because, as progressives know but don’t admit, without Bush’s domestic surveillance, all traitor Americans (like TP readers) would be able to help terrorists hurt the US since there wouldn’t be a careful tracking of their actions.


  9. Dumb_Fox says:

    But the turning point came when an internal review by chief of staff Josh Bolten “concluded that Gonzales was so politically weak he had become an obstacle to Bush’s agenda, especially on the passage of an updated Foreign Intelligence Surveillance law.”

    Trying to connect the dots… The new FISA law passed before the summer recess. Whilst Fredo was still AG, and with the new law giving him major new powers over surveillance.

    Does this mean that the Democrats cut a deal with the White House and agreed to pass the new FISA so long as Fredo would walk?

    Either the leak of Bolten’s staff review was a crock of sh*t, because Gonzo was evidently not that much of a liability; or the Dems traded the 4th Amendment for a new AG…


  10. Turd Ferguson says:

    The guy was a disaster from the beginning!


  11. Bobwurst says:

    “the turning point came when an internal review by chief of staff Josh Bolten “concluded that Gonzales was so politically weak he had become an obstacle to Bush’s agenda”

    This is just an elaborate smoke screen to con the country into thinking that bush has an agenda. laura, or condi, has to check to make sure he has his shoes on the right feet in the morning. he hasn’t had an agenda since he pranced on that aircraft carrier.


  12. Not Canadian says:

    Comment by Nick

    It’s too early for “whine”.

    Stick a cork in it, douche.


  13. Raven says:

    “Newsweek
    Sept. 10, 2007 issue – Attorney General Alberto Gonzales told friends he resigned last week at the urging of his wife following a summer vacation.”

    Is this the same wife who told him some months ago that his reputution was being besmirched, and that he should not resign?

    Or did I miss a south of the border divorce and a Las Vegas wedding?


  14. Not Canadian says:

    Comment by Nick

    No dipsh*t, the ATF did.

    Why do Repukes want to harbor and coddle US terrorists?


  15. Bobwurst says:

    gonzo was too incompetent for this adminstration. that’s bad.


  16. bilbobaggins says:

    Gonzales quit once he realized that the only possible way he could save his sorry ass from jail time would be to get the hell out of Dodge and hope like hell that the posse doesn’t come after him. Unfortunately for him the Democrats have no intention of letting him off the hook.


  17. Bobwurst says:

    repubs hate janet reno because she went after right wing religious fanatic terrorists, like coriesh and randy weaver. she would have gone after the anthrax terrorist, why hasn’t bush? he must be a right wing religious fanatic terrorist. That’s why bush hasn’t caught bin laden by the way.


  18. Bobwurst says:

    nick, aren’t you late for a date in the men’s room?


  19. Not Canadian says:

    gonzo was too incompetent for this adminstration. that’s bad.

    Comment by Bobwurst

    That IS saying a lot…


  20. Bobwurst says:

    Nick,

    I’m about to post that one on my blog, thanks!

    Comment by GAIVS IVLIVS CAESAR OCTAVIANVS

    you’re so devoid of orginal thought you need to post someone else’s postings on your blog? no wonder the right wing is crashing and burning.


  21. dlet says:

    I’m about to post that one on my blog, thanks!
    Comment by GAIVS IVLIVS CAESAR OCTAVIANVS

    And into the void it goes…never to be seen again by any rational human animal.


  22. bilbobaggins says:

    You know what is really scary about the resident trolls. They really think that we give a shit what they have to say. They really think that they are going to influence our thinking with their lies and half-truths. They truly are delusional. I wonder if it shows in their daily life? Or do they look like normal people? They probably do look like normal people. After all, people said that Ted Bundy looked like the “boy next door”.


  23. Bobwurst says:

    Ted Bundy looked like the “boy next door”.

    Comment by bilbobaggins

    Wasn’t bundy a registered republican?


  24. Bobwurst says:

    The following is an example of unintended irony:

    “HeyooOOOoOOoOOOooOo Mr. President!!!

    Thanks for your service as Commander in Chief. You truly support our troops, from a proud US citizen. You have restored the honor and integrity to the presidential office. Americans can once again hold their heads high.
    We are the greatest free nation on earth.

    Comment by Bob “


  25. mako-matic says:

    Libs enabled Gonazales and made it almost impossible for Bush to get rid of him without hurting the country by paralyzing the judiciary with investigations and witch hunts


  26. Grand Moff Texan says:

    What in the world did TP do to deserve GAY JULIA’S CEASING OCTAGENERIANS?
    .


  27. Mohammedloveshimsomeprogressives says:

    Gonzales quit because he was a feeble AG, continually permitting insolent and absurd Demoncrats to berate him about his unquestionable right to hire and fire US attorneys at will without accountability…as they’re ALL political hires who serve at the pleasure of Bush. Instead of bashing assuming Dems who were forging a scandal out of nothing with this information and citing BJ Clinton’s firing of 93 attorneys as precedent, Gonzales oftentimes appeared under fire when he DIDN’T need to be. Still, Gonzales deserves some praise for achievements in his tenure, the most prominent being that he was able to continue the domestic “spying” program and stay on until FISA was extended and updated. Because, as progressives know but don’t admit, without Bush’s domestic surveillance, all traitor Americans (like TP readers) would be able to help terrorists hurt the US since there wouldn’t be a careful tracking of their actions.


  28. Bobwurst says:

    “Libs enabled Gonazales and made it almost impossible for Bush to get rid of him without hurting the country by paralyzing the judiciary with investigations and witch hunts

    Comment by mako-matic”

    this is pure crap, pure whiny republican can dish it out but can’t take it crap. If this is the case, then what changed that allowed gonzo to go now? And how exactly has the judiciary been paralzed? right thinking americans don’t want the executive branch to be able to intrude on our private lives without a good reason. that is exactly what bush is doing. you are a stooge.


  29. Bobwurst says:

    re 31,

    we saw it the first time, idiot.


  30. mako-matic says:

    you are a true patriot.

    Comment by Bobwurst — September 4, 2007 @ 2:49 pm

    Just needed to update that to reflect the truth!


  31. dlet says:

    Why Gonzales finally quit.

    Because he finally realized how stupid he is?


  32. Bobwurst says:

    “you are a true patriot.
    Comment by Bobwurst — September 4, 2007 @ 2:49 pm
    Just needed to update that to reflect the truth!
    Comment by mako-matic —”

    So not only do you hear what you want to hear, you read what you want to read. that’s why when bush says 9-11 poop your diapers. that explains why you’re a republican. thank you.


  33. Raven says:

    “Why Gonzales finally quit.”

    Because we made a big fuss.


  34. katy says:

    just heard:

    randi says the rumor is out that LIEberman is up for replacing gonzo…
    the conn. repug governor will name a repug to replace LIEberman and there goes any dem majority in the senate…

    just reportin’…


  35. Anonymouse says:

    I wonder whether critical Congressional or Senate support for the latest FISA update was contingent on the AG’s resignation.


  36. Bobwurst says:

    randi says the rumor is out that LIEberman is up for replacing gonzo…
    the conn. repug governor will name a repug to replace LIEberman and there goes any dem majority in the senate…

    just reportin’…
    …

    Comment by katy

    What happens if he never gets out of committee? Is he still a “senator” until he is confirmed? Can this be delayed until after the election?


  37. Justice says:

    mako maniac, it is sheeple like you who are incapable of thinking for themselves and looking into the FACTS that allowed the rise of the Nazis and Bushies are NO DIFFERENT. You are completely wrong to believe the propaganda Fox feeds you and think this is a “witch hunt” at the DOJ!!
    That is absurd, the President and Gonzo DESTROYED the DOJ by turning it into an arm of the WH. You are WRONG when you say AG’s “serve at the pleasure of the president” that is true UNLESS they are beig fired for NOT PROSECUTING TRUMPED UP CASES against Dems. THAT is why they were fired, they would NOT go along with the local Republican’s wishes to try to bring bogus charges right before an election.
    Do your own homework, find out the FACTS before spouting your stupid support Bush mantra. He is the WORST president ever and has KILLED thousands of our beloved troops for OIL, not to “bring democracy to Iraq”
    and he LIED TO YOU about Iraq and WMD and he LIED TO YOU about ANY conneciton at all between Iraq and 9/11 and you believed it.
    You have a civic duty to fight threats to our Constitution “AT HOME AND ABROAD”
    the biggest terrorists we are fighting today are IN THE WHITE HOUSE.
    You Bushie supporters will go down in history like the Nazi sympathizers because that is exactly what you are doing, supporting a criminal who has illegally invaded an innocent country and displaced or killed OVER A MILLION Iraqis!


  38. Bruno Hauptmann says:

    Now now, as the delusional decider himself would say; This is America. We have rights and freedoms, and an American Nazi Party. They have a right to support their fascism and hawk their propaganda. Yes it is dangerous, but how would a democracy outlaw the republicans. Sure, it one would think in a country such as our there wouldn’t be such a problem, but there are always those who want power for the sake of it, and lust to tell others how to live in order to make themselves feel better about themselves. Poor Senator Craig but one example. So remember, sure the republicans should be outlawed, thrown in jail, barred from voting, and otherwise shunned from society, but we must protect our freedoms at all costs. Even if it means allowing republicans to have a political party.


  39. Chocolate Jesus says:

    >about his unquestionable right to hire and fire
    > US attorneys at will without accountability

    shut up methead meagan.. use your superb legal skillz… could he fire someone for being black? for being hindu? just because you can fire for no reason does not mean you can fire for every reason that could exist…


  40. Buckles says:

    So Fredo was finally voted off the island for the good of the party. How very… neocon. He’s ineffective and damaging to the nation, but that’s okay, as long as he stays as loyal as a puppy. Perhaps they should have had Michael Vick in the WH to train him… Fredo — attack!

    It’s ironic, and I would say, poetic justice, that their quest to change American democracy to suit their own agenda is the source of their downfall. It would be nice if they’d learn a lesson in this, but I’ve given up hope for any dimming of the light they shine upon themselves.



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