Via Reuters: Top Republican predicts Gonzales may resign
The top Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee predicted on Sunday Attorney General Alberto Gonzales might step down in the face of a substantial Senate “no-confidence” vote on his performance.The White House said it was unclear whether there would be such a vote and criticized those Democrats pushing for it, singling out New York Democratic Sen. Charles Schumer in particular.
“As for no-confidence votes, maybe senators need a refresher course on American civics,” said White House spokesman Tony Fratto, with President George W. Bush in Crawford, Texas. “What I mean is I think you find no-confidence votes in parliamentary systems, not the American system of government.”
Asked on CBS’ “Face the Nation” whether many Republicans would join the majority Democrats in voting against Gonzales possibly as early as this week, Republican Sen. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania said, “I think so.”
Well, it may be that Mr. Fratto needs a review of American civics, as the Senate has every right to vote out a non-binding resolution on Mr. Gonzales and they can call it whatever they like–whether it be “Fred” or “a no-confidence vote.”
Now, as to Specter’s prediction: I’ll believe it when I see it. I thought a while back Gonzales may resign, but no longer see it to be a likelihood unless a major criminal charge can be substantiated, which seems unlikely at the moment. Indeed, as I alluded to the other day, unless there are a substantial number of Republicans who join the no-confidence the vote will simply be painted by the administration and its supporters as a partisan stunt. Indeed, sans a lot of GOP support for the resolution, one would expect the administration to simply dig their heels further.
(Crooks and Liars has the video of Specter on Face the Nation today).
Technorati Tags: Arlen Specter, Alberto Gonzales, Attorney General, No Confidence Vote
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May 20th, 2007 at 7:07 pm
[...] Poliblog. Posted by Jim Henley @ 7:07 pm, Filed under: Main « « They Have a Word for It | Main| [...]
May 22nd, 2007 at 11:41 am
Lying to Congress is a substantial charge that could be easily proven provided the Democrats had the political will. Nancy Pelosi promised to drain the swamp. Abu Gonzalez would be a good place to start.