Gonzales: I wasn't part of the review process, I just happened to be reviewing the attorneys I fired

[bigtree]

SEN. SPECTER: Okay. Now, we've got to evaluate -- and this is a final statement before I yield -- as to whether the limited number of circumstances that I recited -- and it's only a limited number; there are many, many more -- whether you are being candid in saying that you were involved only to a limited -- you only had a, quote, "limited involvement in the process," as to being candid and also as to having sound judgment, if you consider that limited.

And as we recite these, we have to evaluate whether you are really being forthright and saying that you, quote, "should have been more precise," closed quote, when the reality is that your characterization of your participation is just total -- significantly, if not totally, at variance with the facts.

ATTY GEN. GONZALES: Senator, you're talking about a series of events that occurred over possibly 700 days. I probably had thousands of conversations during that time, and so putting it in context, Senator, I would say that my involvement was limited. I think that is an accurate statement. It was limited involvement.

And with respect to certain communications -- such as the communication with the president, such as the discussions about Carol Lam -- I did not view it at the time as part of this review process. I simply considered those as doing part of my job. We'd heard complaints about the performance of Ms. Lam. I directed the department to try to ascertain whether or not those complaints were legitimate, and if not, we ought to look at perhaps doing something about it.

SEN. SPECTER: The chairman says I can ask one more question. You're saying it's not part of the process, it's not a part of your job? Is that what you're saying?

ATTY GEN. GONZALES: Senator --

SEN. SPECTER: Because if you are, I don't understand it.

ATTY GEN. GONZALES: Senator, I didn't consider this part of this project that Mr. Sampson was working on. I -- simply because we had this process ongoing by Mr. Sampson doesn't mean that we -- that I quit doing my job as attorney general of supervising the work of the United States attorneys, and that's what I
attempted to do.

SEN. LEAHY: But it was intimately connected with her qualifications to stay on.

ATTY GEN. GONZALES: Senator, of course in hindsight I look back now that of course that that may have affected the recommendations made to me, yes. But, Senator, when I focused on those complaints, Iwasn't thinking about this process, to remove U.S. attorneys. When I was focusing on a complaint that I had received about her performance, that's what I was focused on. I wasn't focused on the review process itself. I wasn't focused on whether or not her name would go on this list. I was focused on making sure she was doing her job. That's what I was focused on.

http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/news_theswamp/2007/04/gonzales_gettin.html

[izzie]

1. This is fun even if it is my country. What is Bush doing?

I can not believe that the real thing Bush does well is get so many 'like' people around him. Course it is nice to know where they all are. Maybe this is were the 'wall' should be built. Lets not let them out of DC and keep Bush as the keeper. They are scary

[whistle]

2. When Gonzo was not saying "I can't recall" and "I don't remember"

....he was lying his ass off! Then as he tended to drone on, his handler off camera video, but out of audio range would send code through a series of coughs, vary the number, tone, gasping, etc. "Cough code", Jesus H. Christ!

[bigtree]

4. you gotta go with WP's Op that Gonzo acted like an idiot in the hearing

definitely handled . . . poorly

[BootinUp]

3. Shame on liberals for assuming any connection

its just coincidental.