TPM Muckraker has analysis of AG Alberto Gonzales’ testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee yesterday.
Among other things, the Committee members wanted an explanation for Gonzales’ 2006 testimony that there was no disagreement within the White House and Justice Department over the legality of the Terrorist Surveillance Program (TSP), in light of Deputy AG James Comey’s subsequent testimony that he had refused to reauthorize the program (which led to then-White House Counsel Gonzales’ and Andy Card’s trip to John Ashcroft’s hospital room to try to get his signature while he was heavily medicated).
In June, Gonzales affirmed that Comey was referring to the TSP, which would have made his previous testimony — um, well, shall we say misleading? Yesterday, however, he claimed that the controversy involved a different surveillance program. Interesting. He also tried to blame his rush to the hospital on Congress, saying that the “Gang of Eight” that was privy to the details of the TSP was eager to overrule Comey and go ahead with the reauthorization. At least three of the members of that “Gang” dispute Gonzales’ recollection — and, given how many times he’s answered questions with some version of “I don’t recall”, I’d be more likely to trust their memories.
Republicans as well as Democrats on the Committee expressed their frustration with Gonzo and strongly suggested, yet again, that he should resign. That ain’t happening — he’s going to stay the course, just like his boss. And Bush continues to express complete confidence in his lying, incompetent Attorney General. Is anyone suprised?