Gonzales Hearings on C span now.

[Goldeneye]

[PDittie]

1. Specter must have had a zit he popped

on his nose this morning.

[Goldeneye]

2. I noticed that too.

Must be the stress.

[ncrainbowgrrl]

3. Specter's doing pretty well so far

Even handed, challenging, and validating to those of us who oppose the nomination.

I like the way he just asked Hatch for the gavel. Quite a smart move, IMHO. Perhaps he won't just be a pawn of the right?

[Simeon Salus]

4. Properly consequenced Sen. Arlen Spector is the official fluffer.

"Is that an impressive resume you have there, or are you just happy to be here the morning?"

"Did I mention what an impressive resume you have, you handsome Latino male?"

[berner59]

5. Leahy...

Hammering on the torture issue...how can this guy be confirmed?? I just don't want to hear that despite his involvement in the torture - they will confirm him anyway...what is THAT??? Every Dem should vote no on this guy - come on!!

How smug is Gonzales looking???

[GreenPartyVoter]

6. You got it!

------------------------------------------------------
Election reform can help save this country!
http://timeforachange.bluelemur.com/electionreform.htm

[Simeon Salus]

8. I'm surprised Leahy didn't mention the Kerik vetting.

He did hammer pretty hard on the torture issue.

If the Dems can frame this confirmation as a vote for torture, it will be a harder vote for GOPs to explain to constituents.

[BarbinMD]

7. Gawd

Would they quit blathering and get on with it? I'm sick and tired of hearing what a great guy Mr. Torture is.

[berner59]

9. Judge Gonzales....

Wasn't there something written that he's never heard a case as a judge??? Who's this idiot on now saying that it's terrible if he gets raked over the coals... Rep. Cornyn... saying that it was the law that guided him on the torture... Don't you get it you Repub idiots?? OUR SOLDIERS are in danger now because of our torture habits...this is beyond disgusting!!

[burythehatchet]

10. Cornyn states that the confirmation process can be "inhumane"

Orwellian reference number 1 noted.

[trof]

13. Cornyn "framing" the debate.

Already accusing "enemies" of Bush will attack him (Bush) through Gonzales. Preemptive strike.
Pond scum and typical repug maneuver.

[burythehatchet]

11. ok this is the firsttime I've listened to cornyn

he's a pro aint he?

[AG78]

12. He wants evidence

I thought evidence no longer matters. It won't for Camp 6.

[Simeon Salus]

14. The entire John Cornyn speech is doubleplus ungood speak.

He uses his time to preemptively distort the attacks expected and frame them as personal attacks, asking us to disregard the substance of his performance as President's counsel.

[underpants]

15. What was up with introducing his family?

That was strange

[burythehatchet]

18. its because of the abu ghraib photos that are going to

come out and be displayed. I personally WANT big Al's kids there to see what daddy does

[ModerateMiddle]

16. Any other web feeds?

I can't get to a tv at this moment, and c-span keeps gelling on me :(

[Q]

17. I don't mean to sound....

...defeatist...but could someone tell me the purpose of these hearings when Democrats have already stated that they will confirm the nomination?

This is nothing more than a staged event where Dems can look 'tough' questioning Gonzales and appear to be doing their jobs. But it's already a done deal. Republicans know it. Democrats know it. So what's the purpose beside cynical theatre?

[spotbird]

21. Ya got me.

The questions are good but since Gonzales isn't answering them this is just a grandstand for both sides.

The Democrats should demand an answer, there is no point in this at all.

[spotbird]

19. These senators need to keep asking him until he answers.

Gonzales has dodged every question so far and, as always, is getting away with it. If an answer is not responsive it isn't an answer!

Also, the Senators should offer no compound questions, and keep the questions short and direct, not run out the clock on their questions.

This is making me sick.

[lady lib]

20. I'm watching Leahy question him now

Surprise! Gonzales is being evasive and I'll be damned if he doesn't have the same smirk as the chief chimp.

[soup]

22. thank you all for keeping this going.

I quite simply don't have the strength to watch.

suffering from Johndeja Ashcroftvu-itis.

[Danocrat]

23. Sen. Kennedy up now

Not a nice tone. Go Ted

[caligirl]

24. kennedy ripping him apart now. Yeah!!!!

[ElectroPrincess]

26. I admire that and I hope some Democratic Leaders bring out the recent

LETTER signed by twelve (12) General Officers and Admirals expressing reservations concerning Gonzales' Confirmation:

Here's the pdf version of the letter submitted to The Hill on Monday, 3 Jan 2005! =

http://www.humanrightsfirst.org/us_law/etn/gonzales/statements/gonz_military_010405.pdf

[Danocrat]

25. Sen Ted: invokes Reagan and Bush Sr

in anti-torture amendment

[MaineDem]

27. Who just called him "good buddy"?

I'm listening on live streaming and I can't see who it is.

Please let it be a Republican!

On edit: Damn, it was Biden. I was hoping it wasn't him.

[ElectroPrincess]

32. Really?!? After the way Biden went after Ashcroft about torture?

Honestly, I can NOT begin to identify with the *gutless wonders* who represent almost all of our Congress at the present time. Damn! I may have to disconnect and go Green and be satisfied with local political change.

[lady lib]

33. And wasn't it Biden who said the Geneva Conventions

are in place "to protect my son"

[crimnos]

28. Boy, Sessions is just feeding him every answer

Isn't he? This is some pretty amazing ass-kissing.

[Sparkly]

29. Right. "And you're a cautious lawyer who wants to be extra sure

what you're advising is correct and you're a saint above reproach as a disciple of George the Messiah, in't that correct?"

[crimnos]

31. Yeah, now let's just be sure

That we justify the torture, after all, we all agree that it's okay, right?? No question from anyone that they were unlawful combatants. :mad:

[lady lib]

30. Ridiculous ass-kissing waste of time. n/t

[trof]

43. My senator. yuck

He's (in)famous for this.

[crimnos]

34. Did he really just say...

That treating these people well would be a disservice to the Geneva Conventions? Talk about Orwellian.

[lady lib]

35. "The United States has never had a policy of torture."

Uh huh. Not only are we torturing people, we're outsourcing it to Syria.

[peacebird]

37. again - he can claim that all he wants

they should ask him to DEFINE TORTURE.

i think the memo saying the pres is above the law, and can give IMMUNITY to anyone who tortures is pretty clear evidence that events at Abu Ghraib and Gitmo were state sanctioned torture.

:eyes:

[lady lib]

36. Go Russ!

n/t

[loritooker]

39. I love Russ-his questions are so pointed and direct!!

[Danocrat]

40. I think he's very good-looking

Don't you?

[leftchick]

38. He is Already Confirmed, This is Just a Formality!

according to Biden... :grr:

[crimnos]

41. Of course...

We wouldn't want to oppose one of *'s appointments now, would we?

This guy's almost as good as Ashcroft at dodging questions.

[lady lib]

42. Yeah, Ashcroft can sing and

Gonzales can dance.