The Gonzales resignation comes with the immediate benefit of getting that beef-witted scoundrel out of office, but we will have squandered the gift if we do not use his replacement's confirmation process to stage a national dialogue about executive privilege and its extraordinary abuse by the Bush Cheney Administration.
Simply stated: with 17 months left in Bush's term, we must not allow this Senate to go jelly-kneed on this topic and kiss into office another enabler of the White House's mendacity, stonewalling and obstruction. If the White House will not put before the Senate a nominee who can answer the questions below the fold truthfully, directly and convincingly, then it is the moral duty of the Senate and each of its members to block the nomination using any and all procedural tools at its disposal.
And if the caseload of the DOJ backs up as a result, so be it. When justice becomes a tragic joke, judicial gridlock is a blessing to us all. Let Bush and Cheney reap what they have sown.
Here are some questions that must be asked. I am not a lawyer, so I encourage you to pile on.
- "Do you believe that executive privilege should apply only to circumstances in which testifying before Congress might compromise national security?"
- "Would you as head of the Department of Justice fulfill your obligation to investigate any person or persons charged with contempt of Congress in matters in which the White House cannot establish as related to national security?"
- "Do you believe that executive privilege was created to shield the President, the Vice President, and other executive branch employees and nominees from oversight? From the rule of law?"
Make no mistake: Bush will nominate a ringer, and not before he makes it clear to said ringer that he expects him (or her) to shield his administration from any and all inquiries into its conduct and the legality thereof. Democrats and reasonable Republicans must not once again sign away their oversight obligations and grant these criminals unfettered protection under executive privilege.
Plug this hole, Senators. Do your job.