Still Ticking?

It appears that we're still not looking for a new attorney general. Gonzales took some heavy hits on Thursday when Kyle Sampson testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee. There was an awful lot that went on yesterday, but perhaps the most obvious detail was in answer to Gonzales's previous statement to the committee that he had no knowledge or involvement in the firing of the eight U.S. attorneys. Senator Chuck Schumer asked for Sampson's recollection, and--surprise--it was exactly the opposite! Sampson kept his boss in the loop, and Alberto even attended meetings on the subject. Oops!

Of course, Gonzales is not one to run from a challenge, so he had a response today in a visit to Boston: "I believe in truth and accountability, and every step that I've taken is consistent with that principle. I am fighting for the truth, as well."

Well, that's very reassuring. He wants to get to the bottom of this as much as anybody else, so I'm sure that he'll be as forthcoming as he possibly can. And what did he have to say about the inconsistency between his testimony and Sampson's?

"I don't recall being involved in deliberations involving questions of whether or not a US attorney should or should not be asked to resign."

Oh.

The convenient memory lapse. It's amazing that anything gets done in this administration at all with the lack of retention of these people. So earlier when Gonzales said that he'd had nothing to do with the situation at all, he must not have remembered that he didn't remember. This on-again, off-again memory thing can sure get confusing.

Fortunately, Gonzales works for a very understanding boss. Some people might call lying to Congress a felony, but it's just business as usual in the Bush White House. White House spokesperson Dana Perino stood by the embattled Alberto earlier today, giving him the official pat on the back.

There hasn't been evidence of any -- of anything improper or wrongdoing in the decision for the Justice Department to recommend the replacement of eight U.S. attorneys who serve at the pleasure of the President. And that's why the President continues to have confidence in the Attorney General that they -- that he runs a great department, they have wonderful employees who work there.

As you might imagine, there are plenty of places to follow the details of the Senate hearing. TPMmuckraker has plenty of reportage and video (fourteen videos by my count) at their U.S. Attorneys topic. Firedoglake does five separate summaries of Sampson's testimony, plus other sundry details, in its U.S. attorney firings category.

And don't worry. There'll be more.