Gonzales Says C'ya Hombre! Ending a painstaking period of angst and drama with Republican and Democratic critics alike, many believe the former Texas Supreme Court judge had no choice but to resign after his bungling of FBI terror investigations and the firing of U.S. attorneys.
Emphasizing that he indeed has lived the American dream. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales was at ease and only slightly choked-up as he announced his decision just moments ago. The 52-year-old Latino took no questions after thanking his wife and three boys.
In confirming that his last day would be September 17, what was most telling was when Gonzales indicated that his worse day was better than his father's best, a subtle allusion to his minority roots.
In confirming that his last day would be September 17, what was most telling was when Gonzales indicated that his worse day was better than his father's best, a subtle allusion to his minority roots.
Once considered for an appointment to the Supreme Court, Bush's longtime homeboy is the fourth high-ranking administration official to leave since November 2006. Donald H. Rumsfeld, an architect of the Iraq war, resigned as defense secretary one day after the November elections. Paul Wolfowitz agreed in May to step down as president of the World Bank after an ethics inquiry. White House spokesman Tony Snow and top Bush adviser Karl Rove earlier this month both announced they were stepping down.
But it doesn't stop there. White House Counsel Harriet Myers, White House Communications Director and Counselor Daniel Bartlett, CIA Director George Tenet have all abandoned the lame duck president, who's still trying to convince the country that remaining in Iraq is the best strategy to targeted international terrorism.
Bush repeatedly defended the firings of the prosecutors but acknowledged that he did not think Gonzales had done a good job of explaining it to Congress. In accepting the resignation, Bush thanked Gonzales for his service. "It' sad that we live in a time when someone is impeded for doing good work... for political reasons," the president bitterly noted.
There is now heavy speculation that former judge and current Homeland Security Director Michael Chertoff could be in line to fill the position. Until then, Solicitor General Paul Clement will assume the responsibility once Gonzales departs.
As attorney general and earlier as White House counsel, Gonzales pushed for expanded presidential powers, including the eavesdropping authority. He drafted controversial rules for military war tribunals and sought to limit the legal rights of detainees at Guantanamo Bay -- prompting lawsuits by civil libertarians who said the government was violating the Constitution in its pursuit of terrorists.
"It has been a long and difficult struggle but at last, the attorney general has done the right thing and stepped down," said Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., and one of the department's most vocal critics.
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But it doesn't stop there. White House Counsel Harriet Myers, White House Communications Director and Counselor Daniel Bartlett, CIA Director George Tenet have all abandoned the lame duck president, who's still trying to convince the country that remaining in Iraq is the best strategy to targeted international terrorism.
Bush repeatedly defended the firings of the prosecutors but acknowledged that he did not think Gonzales had done a good job of explaining it to Congress. In accepting the resignation, Bush thanked Gonzales for his service. "It' sad that we live in a time when someone is impeded for doing good work... for political reasons," the president bitterly noted. There is now heavy speculation that former judge and current Homeland Security Director Michael Chertoff could be in line to fill the position. Until then, Solicitor General Paul Clement will assume the responsibility once Gonzales departs.
As attorney general and earlier as White House counsel, Gonzales pushed for expanded presidential powers, including the eavesdropping authority. He drafted controversial rules for military war tribunals and sought to limit the legal rights of detainees at Guantanamo Bay -- prompting lawsuits by civil libertarians who said the government was violating the Constitution in its pursuit of terrorists.
"It has been a long and difficult struggle but at last, the attorney general has done the right thing and stepped down," said Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., and one of the department's most vocal critics.
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