E-mail trail shows power struggle behind US attorneys' firings
Newly released documents show the White House sought the upper hand over US prosecutors and Congress.
from the March 21, 2007 edition
Page 3 of 3
Few Gonzales defenders
Neither of the top two Republicans on the Senate Judiciary panel was stepping forward to defend Gonzales in public. Sen. Arlen Specter (R) of Pennsylvania has said he will defer judgment until he sees all the facts. Sen. Orrin Hatch (R) of Utah has declined to make public statements about the matter.
Their silence may reflect the fact that when the GOP was in the majority and he was committee chairman Senator Specter had his own differences with Gonzales.
Gonzales "would go up in front of the Republican-run Judiciary Committee and very nicely stonewall them" on questions about warrantless eavesdropping and other controversial subjects, says Mr. Ornstein of AEI.
Bush called Gonzales early March 20 to offer his support for his old friend, however.
The White House also denied reports that it is already searching for a new attorney general.
"Those rumors are untrue," said Dana Perino, White House deputy press secretary.
•Material from wire services was used in this report.
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