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Gonzales aims to put doubts in the past

President Bush says Gonzales' testimony last week renewed his confidence in the attorney general.

By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published April 24, 2007

WASHINGTON - Bolstered by a fresh show of support from President Bush, Attorney General Alberto Gonzales sought Monday to move beyond calls for his resignation and lingering questions about his credibility after the firings of eight federal prosecutors.

Critics conceded that Gonzales was likely to weather the political storm. But many scoffed at Bush's statement that he had more confidence in his attorney general after Gonzales' Senate testimony last week, which was filled with memory lapses.

Gonzales, speaking Monday at a news conference about identity theft, said he was staying at the Justice Department.

"Obviously, we'll be working with Congress to reassure them that we've identified that mistakes have been made here and we're taking steps to address them," he said. "But I can't just be focused on the U.S. attorneys situation."

His comments came a few hours after Bush described Gonzales as "an honest, honorable man in whom I have confidence."

Last month, Bush had said Gonzales needed to repair his credibility - and the Justice Department's - with Congress as lawmakers investigate whether the firings were politically motivated. In sworn testimony last week, Gonzales told the Senate Judiciary Committee 71 times he could not recall meetings, memos or other details about the firings.

On Monday, Bush said Gonzales "went up and gave a very candid assessment, and answered every question he could possibly answer, honestly answer, in a way that increased my confidence in his ability to do the job.

"And as the investigation, the hearings went forward, it was clear that the attorney general broke no law, did no wrongdoing," Bush said.

Senators continued to lambaste Gonzales' credibility but conceded he was unlikely to leave.

Sen. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania, top Republican on the Judiciary panel, said Gonzales' continued tenure ultimately hurts the Justice Department, the Bush administration and the GOP.

Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., questioned Bush's remarks about Gonzales' testimony. "If that increased his confidence, then he has a very low bar indeed for what he needs for confidence," Leahy said.

White House spokeswoman Dana Perino acknowledged Gonzales' lack of support in Congress but noted the Justice Department has "a huge amount of responsibility outside of any dealings with Capitol Hill."

[Last modified April 24, 2007, 01:18:37]