Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales, whose tenure has been marred by controversy and accusations of perjury before Congress, has resigned. He is expected to announce the decision to reporters at 10:30 Eastern time this morning in Washington.
As noted by the guys at Power Line, "False accusations of perjury, made largely by the Times itself.". This is too true And even the Times may have realized its role in promoting the non-scandal of the fired United States attorneys, as it found an anonymous official to say
The official who disclosed the resignation today that the turmoil over Mr. Gonzales had made his continuing as attorney general difficult. “The unfair treatment that he’s been on the receiving end of has been a distraction for the department,” the official said.
This is unfortunatley true, and the unfari treatment mentioned by this un-named official largely emanated from the media such as the Times itself. The Times's treatment was ably buttressed and supported by the pontifications of such partisan hacks as personified byu such individuals as Massachusetts Senator Edward Kennedy. These partisans had their own takes on Gonzales' resignation, and the media was only too happy to quote them. Kennedy was reported to have said
"He has exhibited a lack of candor with Congress and the American people and a disdain for the rule of law and our constitutional system. I strongly urge President Bush to nominate a new attorney general who will respect our laws and restore the integrity of the office." — Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass.
"Respect our laws and restore the integrity of the office"? Mr. Gonzales never ignored a court order as did Janet Reno. Nor did he conspire with local officials to cover up what might have led to manslaguther charges, as did Kennedy himself. Yet Kennedy has no qualms about making these over-the-top claims, knowning as he does that the national mediua largley exists as an echo chamber for ideas beloved by the Democratic Party and their allies on the political left. It is more to the shame of the media that they report accusations such as this than it is to the poltiicians who make them.
In any event, I have beeen no fan of the Gonzamez Jusitce Department. I believe that he has shown no real flair for the job and he has made a number of mis-steps in defending his agency to the hostile party hacks in Congress. But like former Senator John Ashcroft before him, I believe that Gonzales was unfairly demonized by the Democratic Party and their friends in the press. I wish Mr. Gonzales good luck in his future endeavors, and thank him for his service to his country.
Hat tip to Power Line.
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