Gonzales under fire

Posted: Tuesday, March 27, 2007 9:10 AM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: White House, Congress

In an exclusive interview yesterday, Alberto Gonzales told NBC’s Pete Williams that the prosecutor firings were not improper.

The news that the Justice Department aide, Monica Goodling, invoking the 5th Amendment is leading to all sorts of speculation that Kyle Sampson's upcoming testimony on Thursday may be a bit more interesting than some expect.

In response to Goodling taking the 5th, Sampson's attorney released this statement: "Kyle plans to testify fully, truthfully and publicly.” More from the New York Times: "People briefed on Mr. Sampson’s view of events say he believes there were clear errors in communication about the dismissals, including some misstatements by Mr. Gonzales, but no deliberate effort to mislead Congress."

A new USA Today/Gallup poll finds that respondents -- by nearly a 3-to-1 ratio -- believe Congress should issue subpoenas to force White House aides to testify in the fired prosecutors controversy; 53% think the prosecutors were dismissed for political reasons; yet 59% say Democrats are investigating the matter for political advantage. Bush’s job-approval rating in the poll is 34%.

NBC’s Strickland notes that today could be another uneasy hearing for Gonzales' Justice Department, as FBI Director Bob Mueller testifies before the Senate Judiciary Committee. It's Mueller's first appearance before the panel since an internal report showed the agency had misused its power to obtain bank and phone records by issuing National Security Letters.

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Comments

Monica-gate the sequel

Susan, Nebraska (Sent Tuesday, March 27, 2007 9:28 AM)

The effort to mislead Congress was...Not Deliberate? Just some Clear Errors in Communication and a few Misstatements? That pretty much sums up Dubya's whole term in Office.

Steve Turner Cedar Falls Iowa (Sent Tuesday, March 27, 2007 10:11 AM)

This reminds me of some of the Mafia trials I watched as a kid on TV when the subjects of investigation were always pleading the 5th when they testified in front of Congress. Well, the Bush's are like the Corleone's. The only difference in this family is that Fredo (George W) is running the country.

Robert Catalano, Salem, OR (Sent Tuesday, March 27, 2007 10:31 AM)

Like the reasons for invading a non-threatening nation, the BushCo cabal searches for an explanation for the firings that the country can swallow. It's amazing how many people in that criminal conspiracy don't know what their underlings are doing. Not to knock Jessica Lynch or Pat Tillman, but with this crowd you get a Bronze Star for being captured unconscious and a Silvar Star for being killed by your own troops. Expect a Medal of Freedom for Gonzales any day now, like Perle and Wolfowitz and the rest of the geniuses that orchestrated our war-crimes national policy.

Lee Steele (Sent Tuesday, March 27, 2007 10:40 AM)

Taking the 5th,sure looks like she has something to hide. Her lawyer advised her to take the 5th because look what happen to Scooter. That was Libby's choice, he did not have to lie. So does Goodling thinks she has to lie to protect her from prosecution? Her high powered lawyer says take the 5th instead.

Seattle Sue (Sent Tuesday, March 27, 2007 10:47 AM)

To me, it seems if Monica Goodling has nothing to hide then there should be no reason to plead the 5th Amendment. What might she be forced to answer that could incriminate her? This raises the question: Could Kyle Sampson's testimony be more controversial than he says? In response to the motivations behind Democratic congressional leaders investigating this matter for political advantage, I say when hasn't politics figured prominently in such polarizing issues? The irony is that Bush is condemning Democrats for the very reason that has put three cabinet officials (Gonzales, Doan, and Libby) in the hot seat. If politics did not play a role in the firing of the eight U.S. attorneys, then why were they fired? It will be interesting to hear the defense's arguments in support of firing the prosecutors, especially since the timing was amid several critical investigations.

Adam Vicks, Washington, DC (Sent Tuesday, March 27, 2007 11:01 AM)

Monica claims she did nothing 'Wrong', but is worried about implicating herself in a 'Crime'? Hey, that's Dubya's MO, too. He believes everything he does is 'Right' (an American Variation of the 'Divine Right of Kings'), but knows other, less 'Spiritual' persons, might think his actions are 'Illegal'. The Eagle looks illin to me. (Maybe Monica will show up in a Blue Dress, for Old Times Sake.)

Steve Turner Cedar Falls Iowa (Sent Tuesday, March 27, 2007 11:11 AM)

"Can I Get A Witness"-Marvin Gaye

Still Crazy After All These Years (Sent Tuesday, March 27, 2007 11:59 AM)

Adam - The "If you have nothing to hide...." argument is exactly what the Bush criminals trot out whether it's warrantless phone taps, secret "sneak and peek" warrantless searches that if you reveal you're the victim of you can go to jail, etc., and the loyal brown shirts spew it every single day. Now these congenital liars say "nothing is going on, but we're going to plead the fifth because this investigation is so partisan we fear a 'yes' will be recorded as a 'no.'" If it weren't for empty rhetoric, hypocricy and specious arguments there would be silence from the White House.

Lee Steele (Sent Tuesday, March 27, 2007 12:18 PM)

I'd bet the farm, there is a Stain on someone's Mickey Mouse boxer's in Monica-Gate ( The sequel). Keep digging, them Smelly short's are somewhere.( LOL)

rick,ky (Sent Tuesday, March 27, 2007 2:07 PM)

Like I said all along. The reason they don't want Miers and Rove under oath is because they want them to be granted a license to lie. Why do you think this Goodling chic is taking the 5th? Because she knows damned good and well, as does her lawyer, that the law was violated and she's right smack dab in the middle of it! Stand by folks........the name "Monica" is about to get a new "ring" to it. (smile)

J. Merle Stanley, Westchester, NY (Sent Tuesday, March 27, 2007 2:19 PM)

Claiming the 5th is a Constitutional right. However, it should be carefully used. Just by claiming this right invokes visions of much investigation where there was little before by Congress. And, there could also be Grand Jury investigation into this sordid affair. Of course, the Bush clan could be cagey and be using her claim as a smoke screen. However, with the emails already clearly showing Ms. Goodling's involvement, one does have to wonder where the stains are that this Monica is protecting. She was the liaison between the DOJ and the White House. She had close contact with Karl Rove. Did she have had access to Bush? How far does this possibly go up the ladder? It will be an interesting Summer. Get the popcorn ready to watch the Water, er, DOJ-gate hearings. And, we could also see more hearings on all aspects of Iraq. All of these "gates" are so numerous... we will be very busy, with bloodshot eyes, watching the drama unfold.

Nick, Ohio (Sent Tuesday, March 27, 2007 2:58 PM)

Nobody has nothing to hide. Especially the folks who brought us invisible WMD, outing CIA agents for fun and profit, firing their own United States Attorneys who are not "loyal" enough, selling our national future to China for the chump change it costs to wage a war nobody knows why we started... nothing to hide? A comfy refuge of scoundrels is "I have nothing to hide." For that very reason I am not posting here my social security number... my bank account numbers... or the picture of me with my date at the junior prom in 1965. There are things I don't want to share... and things that are none of anybody else's business... and yes, things that embarrass me about my own past. The sacred scriptures of every tradition remind us that all have failed and come short. It is called being human. I want to meet some of these transparent saints with nothing to hide. They are of another order altogether. Monica will take the fifth for the obvious reason: she has something to hide. At least she is implicitly owning up to her mortality. Never turn your back on anyone with "nothing to hide."

Mark Thieme (Sent Tuesday, March 27, 2007 2:58 PM)

"Stuck In the Middle With You"-Steelers Wheel

Still Crazy After All These Years (Sent Tuesday, March 27, 2007 3:20 PM)

Producers of the film "The Madness of Faux King George" are, at this moment, filming a 'Christmas in the White House' scene, where Dubya is haunted by "The Ghost of Monica's Past". Rumors say the portrayal of Alberto Gonzales, Dubya's 'Screen-Saver', could win Cheech Marin, a Best Supporting Actor Oscar.

Steve Turner Cedar Falls Iowa (Sent Tuesday, March 27, 2007 3:46 PM)

Cheech. I saw him on Lost a couple of weeks ago.Mr. Mueller says that the Patriot Act provision which the FBI more survelliance powers, which were not vetted properly, should not be changed. He says the law didn't cause the problem, the way it was used caused the problem. Reminds me of what gun advocates say "guns don't kill people, people do."

Desmond (Sent Tuesday, March 27, 2007 3:57 PM)

The issue is possible obstruction of justice by political vetting from El Presidente Jorge. The second in command at Justice quits, and the liason between Justice and the WH is taking "the 5th," implausable explanation after implausable explanation, followed by blustering about "executive priviledge" and offers of cheesy little "whisper" deals - nope, nothing suspicious here. Nothing about this stinks to me! I don't know about you, but I'm just going to go on my merry way and believe what the funny puppet says! Why would he lie? What would they have to cover up? They did, after all, bring "decency" back to the WH. Or was it "integrity" they brought back? I forget - just like I'm supposed to. Now that our army is exhausted and our flank is exposed, I support the call of all good Americans that want our neighbors' kids to invade another country!

A Happy Bush Republican (Sent Tuesday, March 27, 2007 4:05 PM)

Desmond. On the cartoon show "King of the Hill", there is a guy who runs a Pest Control Operation (I can't think of his name). An over-the-top Conspiracy Theorist, he put it this way, "Guns don't kill people, the Government does."

Steve Turner Cedar Falls Iowa (Sent Tuesday, March 27, 2007 5:18 PM)

I have watched that show, but not recently.LOL.

Desmond (Sent Tuesday, March 27, 2007 6:04 PM)

Steve, his name's Dale.

Scott in South Texas (Sent Tuesday, March 27, 2007 6:07 PM)

Interesting conundrum with the Justice Department, don't repeal the Patriot Act, it's just the people who were enforcing the law who were bad, oh yes, there seems to be a lot of abuse going on .... things like Ms. Goodling taking the 5th tells me (from previous experiences-none first hand) that something smells here. For all of the folks who want to set a timetable for Iraq withdrawl, I sincerely hope that you're right for doing this, because if you aren't, who is going to protect the country when the bad guys follow our guys home from Iraq? (Just a question is all). Also, when events like Ms. Goodling claiming the 5th amendment, it usually means that a political party has been in power too long, and the players need to change, the only problem for me is that if and when Democrats "assume control" I still won't feel any safer then, than I do now. (BTW, I've been watching national politics for over 40 years now, and while the players and rhetoric have changed (I think that it's gotten nastier), the goals haven't changed. Have a nice day!

Steve, Fairfax, VA (Sent Tuesday, March 27, 2007 7:39 PM)

I couldn't help but notice the absense of the Bush/Gonzales defenders on this site. Could it be that even these people can't spin these actions? Come on Darren Pope,Dave,Tn,jbt and all you other defenders. The silence tells all.

Seattle Sue (Sent Tuesday, March 27, 2007 8:12 PM)

Dale. I know him.

Desmond (Sent Wednesday, March 28, 2007 7:34 AM)

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