GOP Anti-Alberto Roll Call

Start your day with TPM.
Sign up for the Morning Memo newsletter

update: For a more recent list, click here.

Alberto Gonzales is working hard to shore up support on the Hill, but there are a number of Republicans who aren’t worth a phone call.

Below is a list of GOP lawmakers and other notables who want Gonzales gone. In the interest of clairty, we’ve chosen to limit it to those who’ve made unequivocal statements — if the list included those who’ve merely expressed skepticism, it would be much, much longer.

Here it is:

The Senate:

Sen. Gordon Smith (R-OR)- “For the Justice Department to be effective before the U.S. Senate, it would be helpful.”

Sen. John Sununu (R-NH)- “The president should fire the attorney general and replace him as soon as possible with someone who can provide strong, aggressive leadership.”

The House:

Rep. Vern Elhers (R-MI)- “Since he’s such a close, personal friend, he’s hurt the President by what he’s doing, he should have the politeness to offer his resignation.”

Rep. Paul Gillmor (R-OH)- ‘Given the totality of the circumstances, I think it would be better for the President and the Department if the Attorney General were to step down.”

Rep. Dana Rohrbacher (R-CA)- “Even for Republicans this is a warning sign … saying there needs to be a change.”

Rep. Lee Terry (R-NE)- “Frankly, until these statements came out that contradicted his first statement, I was backing him, saying that he shouldn’t resign. Now I think that he should.”

Other Notables:

The National Review Editorial Board– “Alberto Gonzales should resign. The Justice Department needs a fresh start.”

Mark Corallo, Justice Department spokesman (2002-2005)- “Alberto Gonzales’ loyalty to George Bush has got to trump George Bush’s loyalty to Alberto Gonzales.”

How much longer will the list grow after the April 17 hearing?

Note: If we’ve missed any other notable calls for the AG’s head, let us know in the comments.

Latest Muckraker
1
Show Comments
Masthead Masthead
Founder & Editor-in-Chief:
Executive Editor:
Managing Editor:
Deputy Editor:
Editor at Large:
General Counsel:
Publisher:
Head of Product:
Director of Technology:
Associate Publisher:
Front End Developer:
Senior Designer: