Gonzales faces skepticism from lawmakers

[john1863]

WASHINGTON — Attorney General Alberto Gonzales underwent a heated grilling from skeptical senators Thursday over the firing of eight federal prosecutors, including a sharp exchange with a leading Republican over his claim of “limited involvement” in the process.

usatoday.com/news/washington/2007-04-19-gonzales_N.htm

 

[Dale_M]

“grilling” is the right word - man, he got cooked alive!

I don’t understand the controversy. Aren’t federal prosecutors routinely hired and fired for political reasons? Granted, a couple weeks ago he lied about his involvement, which was stupid.
But why is this getting so much attention?

 

[john1863]

Dale,

I think you nailed it. It’s another case where the effort to cover-up or deflect attention is what has gotten him in trouble. Also, those dismissals are usually done when an administration first takes power.
Once political opponents smell blood, there’s little that can be done to stop the process…right or wrong. His biggest problem is that it’s not just Democrats.

John

 

[mary_bobo]

Dale,

I think you nailed it. It’s another case where the effort to cover-up or deflect attention is what has gotten him in trouble. Also, those dismissals are usually done when an administration first takes power.
Once political opponents smell blood, there’s little that can be done to stop the process…right or wrong. His biggest problem is that it’s not just Democrats.

John

You are right about presidents dismissing justice department attorneys when the enter office. But there is absolutely nothing wrong with a president removing attorneys at any time for any reason. For what it is worth, I have never cared for Gonzalez. I do not think he is up to the job. The Dems have smelled blood in the water since 2000, why give up now.

 

[mary_bobo]

“grilling” is the right word - man, he got cooked alive!

I don’t understand the controversy. Aren’t federal prosecutors routinely hired and fired for political reasons? Granted, a couple weeks ago he lied about his involvement, which was stupid.
But why is this getting so much attention?

The Dems are “overseeing” something that they have no business overseeing. Not a peep out of them when Clinton fired all the attorneys. Guess it did not look so bad since it was all of them and not just the two who were investigating in Arkanas.