How Gonzales Failed Us
What begins to be different about the fired eight is that so many were relieved of office in midterm. A study by the Congressional Research Service shows that over the 25 years from 1981 to 2006, some 54 U.S. attorneys served less than their full four-year terms-leaving voluntarily to become judges, run for office, etc. But only two seem to have been dismissed by a president; three resigned after news reports indicated they had engaged in questionable activities. Thus eight midterm firings is unprecedented. Even so, the number is not the issue. The president would be entitled to fire 18, 20, 40, for reasons of performance; in fact, he is required not to give reasons at all. It would matter much more if only one were fired if he was fired for fulfilling his constitutional duty.
And that is precisely what some of the attorneys say happened. David Iglesias in New Mexico testified that two Republicans-Rep. Heather Wilson and Sen. Peter Domenici-pressured him. The senator, most improperly, made it clear he wanted Democrats indicted for corruption before the election. John McKay of Washington State suggests he lost favor for not investigating the 2004 governor's race, won by a Democrat after two recounts.
Both the president and Gonzales have admitted error, but they seem most "unhappy" with the way the cases were "handled"-that is, with the public relations, not the substance. The Senate Judiciary Committee is absolutely right to subpoena everyone involved-in the White House and in Justice-and demand that their testimonies be under oath.
An essential element of the separation of powers is at issue here. The attorney general has to be the rock of any administration. Gonzales, alas, has been its marshmallow.
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