TPM Reader JJ makes an interesting observation about Alberto Gonzales’ latest account of his visit to the hospital bedside of then-Attorney General John Ashcroft:
I realize that there is a virtual treasure trove of obfuscation to wade through from [Gonzalesâ] appearance, but hereâs a point that I havenât seen addressed yet. AG trotted out a shiny new excuse for his visit to Ashcroft in the hospital. The so-called gang of eight had just met and were so concerned that the illegal wiretapping (or whatever) wouldnât be approved by Comey that they all agreed that it should continue anyway. This was a bombshell that AG felt Ashcroft must know about immediately. Yet when asked by Schumer whether classified information was discussed in the hospital setting with Mrs. Ashcroft present, who wasnât cleared for such info, AG responded that it had been Ashcroft who had done all of the talking and in an attempt at being cute, AG said that he didnât think that Ashcroft had let loose with any classified into during his monologue. How does that jibe with the stated reason for the visit, which was for AG to tell Ashcroft about the gang of eight meeting?
There are other inconsistencies, to be sure. Why did Gonzales bring the re-authorization order for the secret program to the hospital with him if, as Gonzales claims, he didn’t intend to press Ashcroft to sign it? Indeed, given Ashcroft’s condition, why go to the hospital at all if they were not prepared to pressure Ashcroft to overrule James Comey, the acting attorney general?
It would be all laughable were it not so serious.