Justice's No. 2 Expresses Regret for Bogden Firing
The R-J reports today that Deputy AG Paul McNulty expressed regret for firing Dan Bogden, but merely went along with the list created by Gonzales' aides. Click here for the story.
Bogden Gonzales' Closest Call
Gonzales did not, of course, recall what he knew about Daniel Bogden on the day Bogden’s resignation was requested (see previous post). However, Gonzales does know that his Deputy Attorney General agonized over the decision to fire Bogden.
Having, as he said, “gone back and looked at the documents,” Gonzales stands by the decision, justifying it thus:
it appears that there was concerns about the level of energy, generally, in a fast-growing district, concerns about his commitment to pursuing obscenity -- which is important for the department; it is a law, we have an obligation to pursue it -- and just generally getting a sense of new energy in that office.
Perhaps Bogden can feel energized by Gonzales' regret that there had been no face-to-face meeting to discuss the concerns. In fact, Gonzales wanted to help Bogden secure other employment, because, even though the Attorney General testified that he does not recall what he knew about Bogden when the decision was made, he was able to testify “I struggled, as well, over this decision.”
Those interested in reading the full text of Gonzales explanation of Bogden’s firing will find it in
Part I of the Washington Post’s transcripts of the hearing, in response to questioning by Senator Brownback (R- Kan).
Recollection of a Lack of Recollection
Recollection is a funny word. It’s not one that comes up in general conversation much – at least, not in any conversations I have. But it is a word that seems to abound in congressional hearings. In fact, during Albert Gonzales' testimony yesterday, the word was used more than 20 times.
Of course, Gonzales wasn’t the only one using the word. Once or twice, when the Attorney General denied having any recollection of some matter or another, whichever Senator was questioning him would repeat, “You have no recollection.” I read a transcript instead of watching video, yet I could hear the dry tone.
All this lack of recollection has certainly sparked my recollection of times gone by. I was about thirteen the first time I heard the word recollection. The Watergate hearings were going on.
Thanks, Mr. Gonzales, for your lack of recall. You make me feel like a teenager again.
The Washington Post provides a transcript of the Gonzales hearings: Part I, Part II, and Part III.
Gonzales Testimony Received with Skepticism
U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales's senate testimony began at 9:30 am today. The Washington Post had reported that Gonzales' prepared testimony has him admitting mistakes in the dismissal of eight U.S. Attorneys, including Nevada's Danial Bogden, but that Gonzales will claim only a marginal role in the decision process.
Senator Arlan Spector, the panel's senior Republican, told Gonzales the purpose of the hearing was to determine whether the Attorney General should keep his job, saying it was the equivalent of a a reconfirmation hearing.
Gonzales claimed he had nothing to hide, but apologized for "missteps that have helped to fuel the controversy. Spector said the testimony was “significantly if not totally at variance with the facts.”
