The common wisdom is that Bush is continuing to support Abu G because Bush is belligerently loyal and doesn't give a damn about the damage he's doing to the nation. That's true, but Brent Budowsky had a really interesting take on it on Mark Riley's program this morning. More below the fold.
If Abu G resigns, Shrub is going to have a hard time finding a replacement.
If he CAN find a neo-con hack stupid enough to continue breaking the law by following in Abu G's footsteps, he/she would be legally accountable for not correcting Abu G's illegalities (torture, attorney firings, signing statements, illegal wiretapping, etc.)
It's the War Czar conundrum - nobody wants the job because it requires their committing professional suicide. If the replacement hack continues breaking the law, covering up Abu G's crimes, and obstructing justice, the job would also come with a built-in prison sentence, and everybody knows it. Besides, a Dem Congress will never approve another neo-con moron for the AG position.
So, that would mean Shrub would be forced to replace Abu G with someone willing to start digging in and repairing the DOJ. Contrary to the evidence, there are still a couple of Republicans that are not completely corrupt. (For the record, Budowsky recommended Jack Danforth for the job.) However, if someone with legal integrity gets the job, that would open a HUGE can of worms for the administration.
And that's why Shrub is so belligerently supporting Abu G. It isn't loyalty. If Shrub fires Gonzales, then it's game over for the GOP.