I just got the chance to start watching MSNBC’s live video of Gonzalez standing before the Senate Judiciary Committee [and article]. See here.
It is seemingly difficult to determine the U.S. Attorney General’s role in the firing of eight U.S. attorneys by his words. In response to multiple questions of how his chief of staff released communique regarding specific attorneys without his approval, the Attorney General stated, "I do not recall". In fact I heard this response from the Attorney General’s mouth numerous times throughout much of the questioning.
True, the committee is investigating the effectiveness of the Gonzalez as U.S. Attorney General. If he cannot control what his staff is doing how can he be effective? It may have not been considered as big a deal at the time to replace these attorneys because of other burdens looming over the AG’s office, this however is no excuse. There is no excuse for firings without professional cause. I believe the AG is stuck between having the burden fall on him for not controlling his staff and having the burden fall on him for not considering this matter to be important during the initial proceedings.
I have not made a decision as of yet on my stance in the case because, still, all of the facts have not been presented. As the case goes on I am sure that the truth will emerge and justice will be served whatever the direction.
[If you watch the video, Sen. Schumer is particularly adamant on Gonzalez resolving how the firing of Attorney Fitzgerald happened while in the middle of an impactful case; and Sen. Graham, in his usual drawl, struggles also to draw Schumer's answer out of Gonzalez.]
[More on this later on.]