Related To Story ALBERTO GONZALES |
White House: Dems Gonzales Vote 'Stunt'
White House Spokesman Dismissses Senate No-Confidence Vote
POSTED: 9:26 am PDT May 18,
2007
UPDATED: 10:09 am PDT May 18,
2007
WASHINGTON -- The White House is calling the Senate's upcoming no-confidence vote on Attorney General Alberto Gonzales nothing more than a "political stunt."A White House spokesman said at Friday morning's press briefing that the president's support for his longtime ally and friend will not change.I think it adds up to the bottomless bag of tricks that Democrats in the Senate would like to pull out on a weekly basis, regarding the attorney general," White House spokesman Tony Fratto said. "The attorney general has the full confidence of the president. He's focused on the mission of the Department of Justice, which is to keep Americans safe, protect us from domestic terrorism threats, child predators."We know that this has been a difficult period, dealing with the discussion and questions having to do with the U.S. attorneys," Fratto said.
Two Democratic senators, Chuck Schumer of New York and Dianne Feinstein of California, have said they would offer a nonbinding resolution expressing the view that Gonzales is too weakened to run the Justice Department.Thursday, Minnesota Republican Sen. Norm Coleman became the fifth senator in his party to demand that Gonzales leave. The White House spokesman also said that Gonzales does not necessarily need the support of Congress to continue serving."We understand that there are senators who have different views," Fratto said when questioned about the Republicans that are calling for Gonzales' ouster. "We understand that they have concerns and questions. We think that the attorney general has been honest and forthright in addressing those questions. As I said earlier, most importantly, has the full confidence of the president.
Previous Stories:
- May 17, 2007: Dems Seek No-Confidence Vote On AG
- May 16, 2007: Ashcroft Revelations Draw Fire On Gonzales
- May 15, 2007: Gonzales Deputy McNulty To Resign
- May 10, 2007: Gonzales Gets Grilled Again Over Firings
- May 7, 2007: Gonzales Aide's Immunity OK'd By DOJ
- April 25, 2007: Edwards Wants Gonzales To Quit, Rove Fired
- April 19, 2007: GOP Senator Calls For AG's Resignation
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