Senate Democrats to seek a No-Confidence vote on AG Alberto Gonzales

[tiptoe]

Source: AP

Dems seek no-confidence vote on Gonzales

New calls for resignation follow word of Ashcroft hospital confrontation

WASHINGTON - Two Senate Democrats said Thursday they will seek a no-confidence vote on Attorney General Alberto Gonzales over accusations that he carried out President Bush's political agenda at the expense of the Justice Department's independence.

Sens. Chuck Schumer of New York and Dianne Feinstein of California, who have led the investigation into the conduct of White House officials and Gonzales, said the attorney general has been too weakened to run the department.

...

Sen. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania, the senior Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee, said Thursday that the Justice Department can't properly protect the nation from terrorism or oversee Bush's no-warrant eavesdropping program with Gonzales at the helm.

"I have a sense that when we finish our investigation, we may have the conclusion of the tenure of the attorney general," Specter said during a committee hearing. "I think when our investigation is concluded, it'll be clear even to the attorney general and the president that we're looking at a dysfunctional department which is vital to the national welfare."


Read more: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18716394/

[Lance_Boyle]

1. Is there really such a thing as a "no confidence" vote in the US?

And if so, is it binding, or just another fluffy feel-good Senatorial bowel movement?

[radfringe]

2. sound fluffy to me

if it even gets to that point....

coming up next :WAAAHHHHHH: we don't have the votes so we won't even try....

[xultar]

3. What can they do? They can't impeach him or fire him. Duers always complain that they don't do shit.

Then when they do shit people still complain.

[Uben]

4. Oh, he can be impeached

....if they would just do it. I wouldn't let a one of these bastards leave with a decent reputation. Impeach them, indict them, and imprison them. They are criminals and need to be treated as such!

[tiptoe]

5. Numerous Senators (dems & repubs) voting No Confidence though not calling for resignation =>PRESSURE

Imagine the political pressure on Gonzales to resign/Bush to fire Gonzales, if numerous Republican senators join Democrats in a vote of No Confidence.

...
Asked twice during a news conference Thursday if he personally ordered Gonzales and then-White House chief of staff Andrew Card to Ashcroft's hospital room, Bush refused to answer.
...
The tale inspired Sen. Chuck Hagel, R-Neb., to become the fourth Republican senator to call for Gonzales' resignation. Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., joined in the criticism.

"When you have to spend more time up here on Capitol Hill instead of running the Justice Department, maybe you ought to think about it," Roberts told The Associated Press.

Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy, who has not called for Gonzales' resignation, agreed.

"I have absolutely no confidence in the attorney general or his leadership," said Leahy, D-Vt.
...

[maddezmom]

6. I agree, keep the pressure on, but do not stop the investigations

K&R'd

[tiptoe]

8. Up next week: immunized Monica Goodling testimony nt

[maddezmom]

9. and Susan Ralston is in the wings as well

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=103&topic_id=281939&mesg_id=281939

[Zhade]

28. "They can't impeach him" - hey, can you teach me how to read the future too?

Oh, wait, you don't know how to do that.

[KingofNewOrleans]

7. It's a logical smart next step

It forces the Republicans to either acknowledge and repudiate Gonzales' gross incompetence or stand behind it.

[tiptoe]

11. yep...without telling * what to do (Specter's attitude)

[windy252]

10. A No-confidence vote.

I bet that has Gonzales shaking in his boots. :sarcasm: Seriously, what is taking so long for them to do something that might actually have an effect?

[tiptoe]

14. matters seem crescendo-ing to immunized-Monica Goodling's testimony next week. nt

[Zhade]

29. I hope you're right.

Given the past six years - hell, the past six MONTHS - I doubt you are.

So what happens if THIS fails? Or even if it succeeds? What will be done to actually, you know, hold these criminals accountable?

A "We disapprove of your actions" statement does not accountability make.

[MaineDem]

12. Good move!

They should do more of this.

[yodermon]

13. Keep your eye on the Roll Call for this Vote.

This is a mock impeachment (well it's the senate so it's a mock conviction).
Basically if enough repuke senators cross over, it's a signal to gonzo that his days are numbered.
TPM Muckraker is tracking the rethugs here: http://www.tpmmuckraker.com/archives/003073.php
So far we have crossing over:

Norm Coleman (R-MN)
Chuck Hagel (R-NE)
John McCain (R-AZ)
Pat Roberts (R-KS)
John Sununu (R-NH)
Gordon Smith (R-OR)
Tom Coburn (R-OK)
Jeff Sessions (R-AL)
Lindsey Graham (R-SC)
Arlen Specter (R-PA)

(How many more do we need?)

Granted this is based on their past statements and not an actual roll call for this particular vote.

[peaches2003]

15. I hope they do it!

It will have no power in law, but I want to see the Repugs in the Senate put on the spot! Ehw onwa who defend Gonzo and Bush will look ever more ridiculous than they already do.:crazy:

Then next they need to do a No Confidence vote on Bush and really put it to the Repug Senators to keep backing him or show some integrity. They have a lot of Sens up for reelection and they know they have to show some independence.

[rodeodance]

16. BREAKING: Senators want Gonzales no-confidence vote.

Source: Tp



BREAKING: Senators want Gonzales no-confidence vote.

At a press conference moments ago, Sens. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) called on the Senate to hold a no-confidence vote on Attorney General Alberto Gonzales.


Read more: http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/17/breaking-senators-want-gonzales-no-confidence-vote/

---

added url update

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D8P6A05G1&show_article=1

[NewJeffCT]

17. I hope it passes

I wonder how many Republics will defect ?

[sniffa]

18. they stink

[Junkdrawer]

19. Yep. Most appropriate typo ever..

:rofl:

[rodeodance]

21. fixed---but it was an unknow pun (reaking)

[rodeodance]

20. Just when such a vote might occur in the Senate was uncertain...........

May 17 02:32 PM US/Eastern
By LAURIE KELLMAN
Associated Press Writer




WASHINGTON (AP) - Two Senate Democrats said Thursday they will seek a no-confidence vote on Attorney General Alberto Gonzales over accusations that he carried out President Bush's political agenda at the expense of the Justice Department's independence.

Sens. Chuck Schumer of New York and Dianne Feinstein of California, who have led the investigation into the conduct of White House officials and Gonzales, said the attorney general has been too weakened to run the department.

Just when such a vote might occur in the Senate was uncertain.

Their announcement is the latest in a series of blows suffered by Gonzales this week, including new criticism from Republicans and the prediction of one GOP veteran that the investigation into the firings of federal prosecutors would end with the attorney general's resignation.

[bunny planet]

22. No contest -schmo contest IMPEACH Gonzales, stop pussy footing around.

Act like the majority party!!!

[rocktivity]

23. Impeach--what Gone-zalez did in that hospital is a CRIME!!!

And if Bush stopped the investigation by refusing security clearances, he's an accessory after the fact.

:headbang:
rocknation

[Zynx]

24. This looks like a test vote for impeachment.

That and make Republicans vote for Gonzales.

[deacon]

25. He lied to congress. Period. And, more than once

a no confidence vote is simply not enough.

[wishlist]

26. Surely with significant Repubs on board, this will pressure him to resign n/t

[Zhade]

27. And this holds him accountable... how?

NT!

[Kablooie]

30. What a tiny sissy thing to do. Forego any legal remedies and focus on a meaningless statement.

It's like trying to defeat Hitler by throwing feather dusters at him.