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| Attorney General Alberto Gonzales gave his resignation on Monday and leaves his position Sept. 17. Andy Nelson – staff |
Gonzales makes his exit
Farewell: Attorney General Alberto Gonzales gave his resignation on Monday and leaves his position Sept. 17.
from the August 28, 2007 edition
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By all accounts morale at the Department of Justice has sunk lower and lower throughout his tenure. Numerous top officials implicated in the attorney firings have already resigned.
In leaving, Gonzales gives the White House an opportunity to rebuild its team at Justice and perhaps rebuild morale.
The Bush team is now shorn of most of its highly controversial figures. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld went last year. Karl Rove quit earlier this month. John Bolton's term as a combative ambassador to the UN is over.
Iraq and its problems overwhelmingly remain the administration's top concern. But there perhaps is still time left on the clock for a new team to start afresh on domestic issues or at least reestablish decent relations with Congress.
"It's early enough to at least try," says Dr. Sabato of the University of Virginia.
Much may depend on who the administration taps to take Gonzales' place. Bush announced Monday that the acting attorney general – until a replacement is found – will be Solicitor General Paul Clement. Early reports indicated that Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff was a top candidate, along with Frances Townsend, assistant to the president for homeland security and counterterrorism, and perhaps former Justice Department No. 2 Larry Thompson.
Secretary Chertoff would undoubtedly take some heat for some of his department's perceived shortcomings in response to hurricane Katrina. But if Democrats blocked his nomination, says Sabato, the administration might be able to turn it to its advantage.
"They could say, 'You said Gonzales was a problem, and now you won't approve his replacement?' " he adds.
Democrats‚ initial response seemed to be summed up by presidential candidate John Edwards, who said "better late than never" of Gonzales's departure.
Congressional inquiries into the US attorney matter, and attempts to obtain more information about the origins of the warrantless wiretapping program will likely continue. Senate Judiciary Committee chairman Sen. Patrick Leahy (D) of Vermont will still push his subpoenas on these matters. Thus the White House will continue to clash with Congress over its assertion that executive privilege limits the information lawmakers can demand.
"All along, people such as Senator Leahy have been saying it is not just Gonzales, it's the issues surrounding the department," says Professor Tobias.
Still, a change may allow the department's rebuilding.
"Within a year a lot can be done to restore its professionalism," he says.
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