Gonzales Resignation

On Mar 26, 2007 the Zetas predicted that Alberto Gonzales, the embattled AG, would resign. This despite all insistence by Gonzales that he would remain and all insistance by Bush that he had his full confidence. Gonzales is a long time close friend of Bush, having traveled to Washington from Texas with him, and no impeachable offense had been documented by Congressional investigations at the time of his resignation.

We mentioned a year ago when the DoJ was investigating the NSA, and the FBI investigating the CIA, that Gonzales was very worried about this own skin. He has been close to Bush long enough to know the likely outcome if and when this presidency goes down. Watergate is an example. The President retired, and others went to prison. He is expected, as a long term friend of Bush who has benefited immensely from his association with Bush to be loyal and facilitate what Bush wants. On the other hand, he can see where his path is leading, and fears a prison term for himself. Gonzales has been attempting to trip through the mine field, keeping his integrity, avoiding giving testimony under oath in hopes that this muddies the water, avoiding direct responsibility for acts in hopes that this keeps him above the fray, all the while remaining a loyal Bushie in the eyes of Bush as such rewards as a Supreme Court justice position might lie in the future. So when there are discussions about getting rid of Fitzgerald, whom Bush insisted should be fired, or removing the US attorneys who went after Duke Cunningham or were investigating Fogo's CIA bribery parties, then nervously give the nod, off the record, and leave the room! Gonzales prevented Bush from firing Fitzgerald, something he angrily ordered ala Nixon, so where it looks as though Rove and Miers were having their way, in fact Gonzales only let them have a few crumbs! Will the truth out in Congressional hearings? Yes, but not because Bush or Rove or Miers confess, but because the email is so convoluted that a trail can be laid out. Was Gonzales at the helm, causing these firings? He was certainly cognizant, and did nothing, apparently, to stop the process. Impeachment by Congress is in the hand writing on the wall unless he resigns, which is likely.

ZetaTalk: Gonzales Saga, written Mar 26, 2007

On Aug 27, 2007 Gonzales abruptly resigned.

Embattled Attorney General Resigns
Aug 27, 2007
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/27/

Mr. Gonzales appeared cheerful and composed when he announced that he was stepping down effective Sept. 17. Mr. Bush repeatedly stood by Mr. Gonzales, an old friend and colleague from Texas, even as Mr. Gonzales faced increasing scrutiny for his leadership of the Justice Department over issues including his role in the dismissals of nine United States attorneys late last year and whether he testified truthfully about the National Security Agency's surveillance programs. Mr. Gonzales, who was in Washington, had called the president in Crawford, Tex., on Friday to offer his resignation. The president rebuffed the offer, but said the two should talk face to face on Sunday. Mr. Gonzales and his wife flew to Texas, and over lunch on Sunday the president accepted the resignation with regret.

The Zetas likewise predicted on July 28, 2007 that an insider would be proferrred as a replacement, due to Bush's need to keep the White House crimes in an inner circle that could be trusted.

Clearly, every time a staunch defender of the Bush team is removed, this makes it more difficult for Bush to function as he is used to doing, as a dictator without fear of discovery. Newcomers must be informed of the dirty dealings that went on in the past, and this takes time and energy, and often requires compromise with the newcomer who may be horrified and refuse to turn their back on such dealings. Bush is likely to insist on a new Attorney General similar to Gonzales, and there are many, many such men in the private sector.

ZetaTalk: GodlikeProduction Live Chat, Jul 28, 2007

As predicted, the first three candidates floated by the White House were close insiders of the Bush crime family.

Senior Admin. Officials: Chertoff May Get Nod
Aug 27, 2007
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2007/08/27/

President Bush may nominate Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff to replace Alberto Gonzales as Attorney General. Chertoff, 53, previously sat on the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which handles appeals from New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania and the Virgin Islands. Before becoming a judge, he was assistant attorney general in the Department of Justice's criminal division from 2001 to 2003. Chertoff received his law degree from Harvard University and was a law clerk to Supreme Court Justice William H. Brennan Jr. in 1979 and 1980. He first stepped into a prosecutorial role as an assistant U.S. attorney in the Southern District of New York from 1983 to 1987. From there, he moved to the District of New Jersey and was assistant U.S. attorney from 1987 to 1990 and U.S. attorney until 1994. Between 1994 and 1996, Chertoff was counsel to the GOP Whitewater committee investigating the business dealings of President Clinton and first lady Hillary Clinton. If he chooses, Bush has a week to install a new Attorney General by recess appointment.

 

Who Will Be Gonzales' Successor? Insiders Speculate
Aug 28, 2007
http://rawstory.com//news/2007/

The abrupt departure of Alberto Gonzales from his post atop the Justice Department has led many to speculate who President George W. Bush will choose to succeed his Texas confidant. The list of candidates who would be acceptable to both Bush and his Senate critics -- who must confirm the nomination -- is short. A source close to the White House mentions that ex-Deputy Attorney General George J. Terwilliger III is "looking very good." Terwilliger, who headed Bush's legal team during the 2000 Florida recount, led the Justice Department briefly in 1993 following the departure of Attorney General William Barr. He now practices law in Washington. Former Solicitor General Ted Olson and former appellate judge Laurence Silberman are "also in the running." Olson was in charge of the Justice Department's Office of Legal Counsel as assistant attorney general from 1981 to 1984. He represented Bush in front of the Supreme Court in the case Bush v Gore, which ultimately decided the 2000 election.