Gonzales resignation wouldn't end firings probe (Leahy)

[maddezmom]

Source: Associated Press

Thursday, March 29, 2007
By LAURIE KELLMAN
ASSOCIATED PRESS



WASHINGTON -- If Alberto Gonzales resigns, Democrats will not confirm a new attorney general until they are satisfied they have the full story of the firing of eight federal prosecutors, the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee said Wednesday.


"In case anybody's thinking of shortchanging it that way, I have a message for them: We'll finish this investigation before we'll have any confirmation hearings for a new attorney general," said Patrick Leahy, who would lead any such proceedings. "I want to know what the facts were," said Leahy, D-Vt.

His comments reflected the fragile hold Gonzales has on his job and the escalating tensions between Democrats in Congress and President Bush over any testimony by White House aides and documents related to the firings.

Leahy indicated that Gonzales' credibility has suffered from repeated attempts to explain contradictions between his account of his involvement in the firings and e-mails released by his department that suggest he may have done more than sign off on them.



Read more: http://www.northjersey.com/page.php?qstr=eXJpcnk3ZjczN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXk2MDcmZmdiZWw3Zjd2cWVlRUV5eTcxMDE2MTgmeXJpcnk3ZjcxN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXky

[loudsue]

1. Go Leahy!!!

:yourock: Just because one of the snakes might try to slither away, that doesn't mean there isn't a nest here!! Keep investigating until every single snake has been smoked out!!! :woohoo::applause:

:kick::kick::kick:

[L. Coyote]

7. Doing that = Email-Gate FACTS: Felons, georgewbush.com, ...

Yesterday was both fun and hard work keeping up with this news.
Summation of this issue, DU posts, articles, much more:

Email-Gate FACTS: Felons, georgewbush.com, gwb43.com , et. al.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x523978

[EST]

2. This is something that has been bothering me for some time and

seems the underlying republicker theme--that, should the going get too rough, they can simply bail out and their resignations will constitute sufficient reparations for their too frequent illegal and unethical actions.

It is, indeed, gratifying that Pat Leahy is serving notice that simply abandoning the game ain't gonna feed the badger.
Good for him!

[Solly Mack]

3. they don't have to confirm a recess appointment until the end of the

next session

So if Gonzales resigns in time for the - Easter/Spring/Whatever you want to call it - recess and Bush does a recess appointment, said mystery person in this scenario of "what if" is in office until the end of the NEXT session.

This current session ends in Dec. of 2007 and the NEXT session begins in Jan 2008 ...this means a recess appointed AG would be there until after the 2008 election.

From the Constitution:
http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/data/constitution/article02/

Article II, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution: "The President shall have Power to fill up all Vacancies that may happen during the Recess of the Senate, by granting Commissions which shall expire at the End of their next Session."


Table of Sessions for Congress:
http://www.library.unt.edu/govinfo/usfed/years.html

110th Congress Senate/House Calendar
http://www.thecapitol.net/FAQ/images/110/110th-1Schedule2007.pdf
http://www.nga.org/Files/pdf/LEGCAL2007.PDF


I'm not saying Gonzales will resign in time for Bush to make a recess appointment - I'm saying he could - and if he does - the senate doesn't have to confirm the recess AG until the end of 2008.

It is good to know that a resignation won't stop the investigations

[ShortnFiery]

4. What's even more interesting is the FACT that Bush will NOT fire Gonzo and ...

Gonzo won't quit. It will be absolutely wonderful to watch these two figuratively floating on a raft in the middle of a politically poisoned ocean. :evilgrin:

[Earth_First]

5. Nor would it change the fact that the attorneys were fired...

and replaced by operatives loyal to the GOP ahead of 2008.

[texpatriot2004]

6. Glad to hear it. Thank you Sen. Leahy nm

[Vidar]

8. Thank you, Mr. Leahy.