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First Read is an analysis of the day's political news, from the NBC News political unit. First Read is updated throughout the day, so check back often.

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Mark Murray, NBC Deputy Political Director

Domenico Montanaro, NBC News Political Reporter



Dem source: no-confidence vote 'unlikely'

Posted: Monday, May 21, 2007 12:28 PM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: , ,

From NBC's Ken Strickland
While there was much discussion over the weekend about Sen. Chuck Schumer's (D) proposal of a "no confidence" vote this week on Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, it's "unlikely" to happen, according to a senior Democratic aide.  On paper, having such a vote would appear to be a no-brainer for Democrats because it would likely get some Republican support. But in the Senate, there's no such thing as taking a clean shot on an issue. If a vote did come to the floor, GOP leaders have procedural tools to either stop it or require a vote on on another resolution that would be problematic for Democrats to support. ("How about a vote on if the war is lost," a Republican aide suggested.)

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Mark Murray's anonymous Republican aide lost me there. "How about a vote on if the war is lost?" It sounds like a question my kid asks. "What if a tsunami washes our house away" or, when urging him to get ready for soccer practice so we won't be late, "What if we can't go because our car breaks?"
"Tell me why you say goodbye I say hello."-"Hello Goodbye"-The Beatles
My God, the Dems are the most pathetic group of cowards I have ever seen! And they think they're going to win in 2008?? They won't even stand up to these criminals!!......We need Ron Paul, Dennis Kucinich or Mike Gravel in 2008!! They have guts!!.... If we get any of the other hacks, we are doomed!..... Google videos: 9/11 Press for Truth, Loose Change 2nd Edition
Its up to the voters now to punish the Republicans for abusing the Justice Department. No else can do it, the Supreme Court is stacked in favor of the Republican party, the Justice Department is corrupted, the Congress is hog-tied, its the voters who must step in and deliver justice in the next election. Now, if everyone would just turn off American Idol and pay attention to our country, we might survive as a democracy.
There's a great clip of Gonzales and his braindead performance in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee over at You tube. Also an online petition that you can sign if you want him out at "impeach Gonzales.org". I signed it, because I am convinced that the Senate will do nothing, and that it is up to concerned citizens to do more than blog their opinions if they want to ensure a fair justice system, and rid the administration of incompetent party hacks. Under Bush the DOJ is becoming an arm of the Republican Party, where a US attorney can be fired for not pursuing Democrats vigorously enough, or pursuing Republicans too vigorously. When they take their oath, they swear to follow the evidence wherever it takes them. That is our tradition, and it should not be tinkered with in a true democracy.
Typical Rovian dirty tricks. Don't like the message? Attack the messenger..use your allies to change the subject. We have no collective attention span, and fall for this too often. Gonzales should resign. He won't and won't b forced to by the Bush White House. Loyalty over EVERYTHING, including truth or fairness or decency. We asked for this and got it...
AMY B ....HERE, HERE!!! WE all need to supoort the party and the candidates, work your local DNC chapters. Donate time and money. Write, call,e-mail, march in the streets and badger the House and Congress every single day to impeach Gonsouless and shrub. VOTE early and VOTE often.
"How about a vote on if the war is lost?" ??? I second Paul's question - WHAT DOES THIS MEAN? WHAT DOES IT HAVE TO DO WITH THE PRICE OF EGGS IN ALASKA?!? This is were we have arrived when it comes to discussing the important issues of the day. One person brings up a valid point on a trouling issue and the other side simply replies with some boneheaded response like - "Yes, that is true, but are you going to support the troops?"
So, instead of standing up and letting their votes and voices be counted...the GOP want to quietly continue supporting AG Gonzales...yea, honesty and integrity in the Bush WH...too bad we didn't demand ACCOUNTABILITY as well. It amazes me that the very next president after Clinton was this idiot...I guess the GOP is just as bad at picking a winner as the Dems were, at least the common man wasn't getting screwed over during Clinton's tenure.
What bunk. This quote is false. Ken Strickland got the quote wrong. The quote is not from a "senior Democratic aide", the quote is from the Minority Leader GOPer Mitch McConnell: WASHINGTON (AP) -- The top Republican on the Senate committee investigating Attorney General Alberto Gonzales said Sunday he believes Gonzales could resign before a no-confidence vote sought this week by Senate Democrats. In a further sign of his eroding support within the GOP, Gonzales failed to draw a public statement of support from Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell. Asked whether Gonzales effectively can lead the Justice Department, McConnell said "that's for the president to decide." The senator suggested there may be several resolutions introduced to dilute a no-confidence vote. "In the Senate, nobody gets a clear shot," said McConnell, R-Ky. http://breakingnews.nypost.com/dynamic/stories/G/GONZAL... What is Ken Strickland trying to pull here?
This is disinformation. No Democrat said this. It was Mitch McConnell and it was in the NY Post this morning. Doesn't MSNBC vet their stories?
Blatant planted story. GET A LIFE NBC. If we can spot it and you can't then hang up the closed sign and go HOME.
Why not let them bring their retaliation vote and then vote "present" or not even show up?
every one should rember you could get in trouble with uncle and look who we hav to make sure our rights are not taken from us. what a scary thought gonvo and king george proteting them.
Mr. Strickland is attributing to a Democrat what Mitch McConnell said. I hope this error is corrected as soon as possible because it is misleading.
Per Ken Strickland, he got his information from a Democratic source. It appears both Democrats and McConnell are saying this.
You guys think everytime a story doesnt support your view on your beloved NBC network, it is planted. NBC is one of the most liberal venues out there.
The Dems should just sign a petition and deliver it to Bush, DoJ and the press. They can include any republicans that want to go on record with the no confidence statement. All Senate repubs do is impede, block, stall, and legislate by ambush. Get most of them out and see how fast the country becomes great again.
If Senate Republicans continue to support Gonzales given his abysmal testimonials before Congress, his "misstatements", his inability to recall anything that has happened during his tenure as AG, and his complete lack of any managerial ability, then they, too, should be voted out of office for placing party loyalty and loyalty to Bush above loyalty to the country. If they refuse to support a vote of no confidence they obviously support and condone the actions of Gonzales. They have no integrity whatsoever. Theirs is purely the game of "politics" which Bush supposedly abhors and whines about everytime someone challenges his miserable administration. Gonzales is a disgrace to his office and a disgrace to the country. He and Bush have brought dishonor to the offices they hold. Senate Republicans who support Gonzales obviously do so only because they fear Bush, Cheney and Rove.


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