Oregon’s Speaker of the House, Democrat Jeff Merkley, is wasting no time in making a mark in his bid to topple faux-moderate Republican Sen. Gordon Smith next year. From an e-mail release issued this morning:
My fellow Americans,“I don’t recall.” “I don’t remember.” “I don’t know.”
Is it really possible that Alberto Gonzales is that checked out from the day-to-day operations in the Justice Department? He may have been the President’s personal attorney back in Texas, but he’s the Attorney General now – and he’s failing the American people.
He’s become an embarrassment. And worse, he’s become the single strongest example of political corruption and abuse of power in the Bush Administration.
Under Gonzalez’ embarrassing stewardship, they’ve fired U.S. Attorneys for political reasons. He’s authorized illegal wiretaps of American citizens. He even tried to strong-arm then-Attorney General John Ashcroft into authorizing the illegal wiretapping program while he lay gravely ill in a hospital bed. And now he won’t tell Congress the whole truth about what’s happening on his watch.
It’s time for Alberto Gonzales to be fired.
If the President won’t fire him, then the Congress should impeach him.
As mcjoan pointed out today, no one in the Senate has been this bold in calling for the impeachment of Alberto Gonzalez. This move by Merkley is not just crashing out of the gate–it’s screaming out of the gate.
If this is the kind of campaign that Merkley has in store for us–bold and aggressive–count me down as a fan.
On the tubes: Jeff Merkley for U.S. Senate
I’d like to see more Democratic candidates speak out on this issue. Anyone else you know of come out in favor of impeaching Abu G?
Since articles of impeachment have to be passed in the House for a Senate trial to happen, I wish more House candidates and especially INCUMBENTS were making the same announcements.
…but it would be moot point should Merkley get elected: Gonzalez will be gone not long after Merkely would take office.
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“And worse, he’s become the single strongest example of political corruption and abuse of power in the Bush Administration.”
Well… Rove IS gone, but Cheney’s still there…