# Will AG Gonzalez have to resign? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [March 12, 2007, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-ag-gonzalez-have-to-resign/395642 "2007-03-12T18:22:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2007, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-ag-gonzalez-have-to-resign/395642/1 "2007-03-12T18:22:23Z")
Leading Senate Democrats Chuck Schumer and Joe Biden [have called on Gonzalez to resign.](http://blog.washingtonpost.com/the-talk/) Even Arlen Specter has speculated on the possibility. Gonzalez is being dogged by two scandals, or scandals-in-the-making, that can be laid at his feet or at least on his desk, as it were: 1. Reports that the FBI has been abusing its powers under the USA PATRIOT ACT to spy on people. See [this](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=411703) Pit thread. 2. The recent firings of at least eight U.S. Attorneys, which some contend were for political reasons. See [this](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=411175) GD thread. That’s all quite apart from his view of the Geneva Conventions as “quaint” and all that. Will Gonzalez have to go? After all, that’s W’s call; Congress can’t force the issue, not unless they impeach Gonzalez. ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2007, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-ag-gonzalez-have-to-resign/395642/2 "2007-03-12T19:29:19Z")
My answer: a resounding “Maybe!” As you note, the only two people who can decide that he needs to resign are Pres. Bush and Gonzalez himself. And by and large Mr. Bush has proved himself mostly impervious to what his opposition publicly opines. But when the outcry becomes loud enough that the incumbent becomes an embarrassment to his Administration, Mr. Bush’s vaunted loyalty to his top staff suddenly evaporates. Two great examples are FEMA Administrator Brown and Sec. Rumsfeld. If the noise about Gonzalez reaches the level it did for either of them, spread marmalade on him, because he’s toast. But until then, don’t underestimate Mr. Bush’s ability to stick his fingers in his ears and sing la-la-la to the outcry among the opposition. ---
**Author:** ![Lama\_Pacos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Lama\_Pacos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lama_Pacos)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2007, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-ag-gonzalez-have-to-resign/395642/3 "2007-03-12T19:32:08Z")
I think Bush will be extremely reticent to force Gonzalez out…with Rumsfeld resigned as well, people will start to wonder who the idiot was that hired all these guys. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2007, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-ag-gonzalez-have-to-resign/395642/4 "2007-03-12T20:07:05Z")
The NY Times is joining the party… > **[Opinion | The Failed Attorney General (Published 2007)](https://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/11/opinion/11sun1.html?ex=1331269200&en=7f2db2a5b1135a1e&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss)** > > Perhaps more than anyone in the administration, Alberto Gonzales symbolizes President Bush’s disdain for the separation of powers, civil liberties and the rule of law. \* On Thursday, Senator Arlen Specter, the senior Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee, hinted very obliquely that perhaps Mr. Gonzales’s time was up. We’re not going to be oblique. Mr. Bush should dismiss Mr. Gonzales and finally appoint an attorney general who will use the job to enforce the law and defend the Constitution.\* ---
**Author:** ![Quiddity\_Glomfuster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/c4cdca/32.png) [@Quiddity\_Glomfuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quiddity_Glomfuster)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2007, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-ag-gonzalez-have-to-resign/395642/5 "2007-03-12T20:16:12Z")
[QUOTE=Lama Pacos] I think Bush will be extremely reticent to force Gonzalez out…with Rumsfeld resigned as well, people will start to wonder who the idiot was that hired all these guys. [/QUOTE] “Start” ? 😕 Jack Cafferty just said ‘look up weasel and you’ll see Gonzales’ picture’. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Airblairxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Airblairxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airblairxxx)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2007, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-ag-gonzalez-have-to-resign/395642/6 "2007-03-12T20:22:54Z")
[QUOTE=BrainGlutton] Will Gonzalez have to go? After all, that’s W’s call; Congress can’t force the issue, not unless they impeach Gonzalez. [/QUOTE] And you have just answered your own question. The Great Decider is the one who decides when he goes, nobody else will. At this point in the administration, their attitudes towards basically all outsiders–the press, Congressional Democrats, Congressional Republicans who will still have to run for election–is best summed up as: “FUCK 'EM.” ---
**Author:** ![Frostillicus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Frostillicus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frostillicus)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2007, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-ag-gonzalez-have-to-resign/395642/7 "2007-03-12T20:29:52Z")
I smell a Medal of Freedom! ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2007, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-ag-gonzalez-have-to-resign/395642/8 "2007-03-12T20:59:27Z")
I hate Gonzalezs concept of the AG. He sees it as the presidents attorney only. Whatever the president wants he will find a way to do. He seems to see the Constitution as a document with loopholes to exploit. I am not sure he believes most of what he says. The look (kind of smirk) he gives reminds me of Kingfish on the Amos and Andy Show. He comes up with an idea floats it and waits for a reaction . If none comes .the plot continues. His arrogance in front of committees pissed me off big time. Essentially he is stating he owes explanations to nobody and they are interrupting his plans. He does not have time to give them the reasons. If enough repubs see him as a political liability ,he will be in trouble. Bush still answers to the neocons and religious right. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2007, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-ag-gonzalez-have-to-resign/395642/9 "2007-03-12T21:03:23Z")
Many character assassinations will take place first. The American Flag must be dragged through the mud by Bushco for a minimum of 10 miles before he “gives”. :mad: ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2007, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-ag-gonzalez-have-to-resign/395642/10 "2007-03-12T21:21:27Z")
Many character assassinations will take place first. The American Flag must be dragged through the mud by Bushco for a minimum of 10 miles before he “gives”. :mad: ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2007, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-ag-gonzalez-have-to-resign/395642/11 "2007-03-12T21:28:08Z")
Sorry for the multipost. Could a Mod fix it? ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2007, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-ag-gonzalez-have-to-resign/395642/12 "2007-03-12T21:29:07Z")
[QUOTE=Bosda Di’Chi of Tricor] Sorry for the multipost. Could a Mod fix it? [/QUOTE] Yes. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2007, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-ag-gonzalez-have-to-resign/395642/13 "2007-03-13T20:46:47Z")
Well, Gonzalez [says he won’t resign.](http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/13/AR2007031300776.html) > [@The Washington Post](#): > > “I believe in accountability,” Gonzales said at a brief news conference in Washington. “Like every CEO of a major organization, I am responsible for what happens at the Department of Justice. I acknowledge that mistakes were made here. I accept that responsibility.” Kinda like Janet Reno “accepted responsibility” for Waco, but she sure wasn’t going nowhere . . . ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2007, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-ag-gonzalez-have-to-resign/395642/14 "2007-03-13T21:10:31Z")
[QUOTE=NY Times] _Mr. Bush should…finally appoint an attorney general who will use the job to enforce the law and defend the Constitution._ [/QUOTE] Will this happen before or after the Rapture clears out the fundies so that the rest of us can live in peace and harmony? If this is a poll, put me down in the “Gonzales will resign” camp. ---
**Author:** ![Onomatopoeia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/onomatopoeia/32/4145_2.png) [@Onomatopoeia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Onomatopoeia)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2007, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-ag-gonzalez-have-to-resign/395642/15 "2007-03-13T23:55:58Z")
I think Gonzales will resign, whether it’s of his own volition or if he’s asked to resign I don’t think we’ll ever know, and I really don’t care as long as that lying weasel is gone. Get this!! I just heard Senator Leahy, interviewed on NPR, say that although Kyle Sampson resigned he’s still there!! Apparently, Sampson is being allowed to remain in employed by Gonzales’ office until he finds a new job. What kind of crap is this now? ---
**Author:** ![Onomatopoeia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/onomatopoeia/32/4145_2.png) [@Onomatopoeia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Onomatopoeia)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2007, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-ag-gonzalez-have-to-resign/395642/16 "2007-03-13T23:56:35Z")
I think Gonzales will resign, whether it’s of his own volition or if he’s asked to resign I don’t think we’ll ever know, and I really don’t care as long as that lying weasel is gone. Get this!! I just heard Senator Leahy, interviewed on NPR, say that although Kyle Sampson resigned he’s still there!! Apparently, Sampson is being allowed to remain in employed by Gonzales’ office until he finds a new job. What kind of crap is this now? ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2007, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-ag-gonzalez-have-to-resign/395642/17 "2007-03-14T00:04:17Z")
[QUOTE=Onomatopoeia] What kind of crap is this now? [/QUOTE] IOKIYAAR, which is kind of a continuation of what this whole sordid tale is all about. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2007, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-ag-gonzalez-have-to-resign/395642/18 "2007-03-14T01:41:52Z")
[QUOTE=Onomatopoeia] Get this!! I just heard Senator Leahy, interviewed on NPR, say that although Kyle Sampson resigned he’s still there!! Apparently, Sampson is being allowed to remain in employed by Gonzales’ office until he finds a new job. What kind of crap is this now? [/QUOTE] I heard they made a similar arrangement for Rumsfeld – in fact, for all I know, he’s **still** working out of a Pentagon office. I’ve got no problem with a severance package, but what’s wrong with just asking the guy where he wants his check sent? ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Carrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f0a364/32.png) [@Captain\_Carrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Carrot)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2007, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-ag-gonzalez-have-to-resign/395642/19 "2007-03-14T02:56:03Z")
I think Rumsfeld’s working on his memoirs or some such thing. Personally, I got very little problem with it. Imagine what it must be like, working unnoticed in the building where you were in charge just a few months ago… ---
**Author:** ![Onomatopoeia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/onomatopoeia/32/4145_2.png) [@Onomatopoeia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Onomatopoeia)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2007, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-ag-gonzalez-have-to-resign/395642/20 "2007-03-14T03:03:57Z")
[QUOTE=Captain Carrot] I think Rumsfeld’s working on his memoirs or some such thing. Personally, I got very little problem with it. Imagine what it must be like, working unnoticed in the building where you were in charge just a few months ago… [/QUOTE] Yes, imagine. Imagine earning upwards of $100k +bennies +perqs, for doing probably nothing. I certainly have a problem with it. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-ag-gonzalez-have-to-resign/395642.md?page=2)