31 Democrats Want Gonzales Off Abramoff Probe

[bigtree]

Feb 16, 11:09 AM EST

By PETE YOST
Associated Press Writer
http://customwire.ap.org/dynamic/stories/A/ABRAMOFF_GONZALES?SITE=JRC&SECTION=POLITICS&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2006-02-16-10-06-49

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Thirty-one Senate Democrats on Thursday asked Attorney General Alberto Gonzales to remove himself from the investigation into the Jack Abramoff scandal, saying the lobbyist's dealings with President Bush and others in the administration should compel Gonzales to step aside.

"FBI officials have said the Abramoff investigation 'involves systemic corruption within the highest levels of government,'" the Democrats wrote in a letter to Gonzales. "In light of your previous service as White House Counsel and your close connection to many Administration officials, the appearance of conflict looms large."

The attorney general "can avoid any appearance of impropriety by recusing himself," said Sen. Charles Schumer of New York, one of the signers of the letter. "If there was ever a case that was both sensitive and rife with potential conflict - it is this one."

Three former associates of Abramoff told The Associated Press this week that the lobbyist frequently told them he had strong ties to the White House through presidential confidant Karl Rove.

David H. Safavian, Bush's former top procurement officer, is under indictment on five counts of obstructing investigations into whether he aided Abramoff in efforts to acquire property around the nation's capital controlled by the General Services Administration.

full story: http://customwire.ap.org/dynamic/stories/A/ABRAMOFF_GONZALES?SITE=JRC&SECTION=POLITICS&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2006-02-16-10-06-49

[Zen]

1. This man is a RW hack - he CANNOT be neutral

He should resign now before he has to be forced out.

This man is a HACK!

[still_one]

2. let me guess, lebermann is not one of the democrats

[gratuitous]

3. Isn't that cute? Asking Alberto to recuse himself

I'm sure the White House will have a good laugh about that, and then Alberto will issue his report exonerating everyone.

[bigtree]

4. Party out of power

what to do?

Politic and hope it resonates. Isn't that why we show up here? I don't fault them for registering their objection and I support the effort. I'll also amplify it. The public needs to see an active opposition to the scandal. That will take action all over the place before something catches hold. Hard to predict what avenue will lead to accountability. Thirty-one senators represents a good majority of our Democrats determined to hold this WH accountable, notwithstanding their lack of independent power to effectively make that happen.

[gratuitous]

5. You're right

My initial reaction is that it won't matter much more than a flea fart in a tornado, but at least they're doing something. I get very tired of the media drumbeat of how the Democrats aren't doing anything -- well, here they are doing something, Timmy and Tweety, Georgie and Katie. What do you have to say about it? Are the Democrats right in asking for Gonzales to recuse himself, or are they just playing political games? If it's just playing political games, then why isn't Gonzales pursuing this investigation? Remember that Gonzales isn't supposed to be Bush's personal mouthpiece anymore; he's supposed to be representing the American people, who deserve some answers.

Listen, crickets!