Alberto Gonzalez - pool salesman?
This one had me rolling around on the floor laughing.I am no fan of Gonzalez - he has horribly mishandled a routine firing at the Justice department and handed Bush another big political problem in the process. However, I think firing him would be a disastrous move for Bush politically - which is why it hasn't been done yet. I read an article recently which pointed out that Nixon's firing of his attorney general after Watergate essentially brought about an end to his presidency. In the politically charged atmosphere of the investigation, Congress wasn't about to confirm a new attorney general without assurances that the new AG would appoint a special counsel and investigate the heck out of Nixon. Checkmate - Nixon acceded to this demand, the investigation continued with new vigor - and he was gone as President not long thereafter.
The same scenario could possibly occur with the pool salesman - Gonzalez is fired and Democrats refuse to confirm a new AG who will not pledge to appoint a special prosecutor (think Patrick Fitzgerald with a MUCH larger mandate) to investigate the Iraq War and our flawed intelligence. If you think things are bad now for Bush, just imagine what this situation would look like.
Therefore - perversely, I might add - Bush is in a situation where he has to defend the guy.
Anyhow, even though I am a Bush supporter (on many issues, not all) - I enjoyed this vicious attack on Gonzalez because of the trouble he has needlessly caused.
posted by JM @ 7:13 AM
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