Gonzales as Humpty Dumpty

20 April 2007 |permalink | email article

All the cramming by Alberto Gonzales for his “reconfirmation hearing” before the Senate Judiciary Committee yesterday did almost nothing to justify the firing of eight U.S. attorneys last Dec. 7, a “legal day of infamy” in the Department of Justice.

In somewhat of a surprise, conservative Republican members appeared almost as angry as Democrats did with his repetition of past denials that there was “nothing improper” about the removals.

Gonzales may have set a near record in saying 74 times that “I don’t remember,” or “I don’t know” to senators. Such admissions only confirmed his lack of competence in managing the 100,000-member DOJ.

He rebuffed any suggestion that he resign, maintaining that he can continue to be effective. But Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.), the most conservative member of the panel, set him straight.

“I believe you ought to suffer the same consequences that these others have suffered, and I believe that the best way to put this behind us is your resignation.”

Predictably, White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said President Bush was “pleased with the attorney general’s testimony today” and continues to have “full confidence” in him.

It reminds me of what Bruce Fein, former associate deputy attorney general under President Reagan said about Gonzales. “When the president says, ’Jump,’ he says, “how high?”

A stubborn Bush will never ask his crony to resign. But with the Judiciary Committee intent on hearing more witnesses – notably Karl Rove and Harriet Miers – Gonzales will soon realize it’s time to go.

Alberto Gonzales has become a tragic figure: Humpty Dumpty sitting on a wall before a great fall; all Bush’s horses and all Bush’s men can’t put Humpty together again.

341