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California legislators react to Gonzales' resignation
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Alberto Gonzales Attorney General Alberto Gonzales announces his resignation at a news conference at the Department of Justice in Washington, Monday, Aug. 27, 2007. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
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WASHINGTON — Members of California's congressional delegation said Monday they hope Attorney General Alberto Gonzales' resignation signals the beginning of change in the U.S. Department of Justice.
"This is an important step, and I hope the president moves rapidly to fill this position, since so many of the top-level people at the department have, in fact, resigned," said Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif.
Feinstein, who sits on the Senate Judiciary panel, said Gonzales' replacement should be somebody with a stellar reputation. She suggested such candidates might include John Danforth, a former Republican senator from Missouri.
Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., issued a one-sentence statement regarding Gonzales' departure: "Better late than never."
Rep. Lois Capps, D-Santa Barbara, said Gonzales' resignation is long overdue.
"Because of his controversial role in everything from the administration's shameful policies allowing torture to the firing of U.S. attorneys for blatantly political reasons, he long ago lost the confidence of Congress and the American people," Capps said.
Capps said she hopes Gonzales' replacement "will put the constitution and interests of the country ahead of his loyalty to the president and his party."
Rep. Elton Gallegly, R-Simi Valley, was unavailable for comment Monday.
Many of Gonzales' problems sprung from his close ties to Bush, said Scott Frisch, an associate professor of political science at CSU Channel Islands in Camarillo.
Gonzales has been a loyal aide since Bush's days as Texas governor, and Bush rewarded him with a number of public service jobs.
But when you are that close to the president, "it's really hard to distance yourself," Frisch said. "And the attorney general has to be kind of above partisan politics. It's something that politically sends really bad signals, when that person appears to be so close to the president."
Gonzales made matters worse with the firing of U.S. attorneys and other questionable decisions, Frisch said.
"It's like the Democrats are looking for an ah-ha moment,' and he provided one on a silver platter," Frisch said.
Posted by cassandra on August 28, 2007 at 7:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Maybe Gallegly hasn't been instructed what spin he's supposed to adopt yet.
Posted by sslocal on August 28, 2007 at 1:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Whats to comment on. The man was driven out of office for doing his job. This is why congress has a lower rating than Bush and company.
They need to get to work and quit screwing around with these petty revenge plots.
Posted by cassandra on August 28, 2007 at 6:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Not revenge. Just justice and an attempt to make government work. He lied. He sanctioned illegal acts. He have seriously evasive responses to Congress when they attempted to staunch the violations of the law. The dude probably belongs in jail. Removal is step one.
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