The Unspoken Rationale

Both the President and outgoing Attorney General made brief public statements today about Alberto Gonzales' resignation, but one of the striking things about their remarks is that neither actually mentioned why Gonzales is stepping down.

I expected something vague about now being a "time for new challenges," or maybe the perfunctory "spend more time with his family." But, instead, we got nothing. I think there's a reason for that: Bush lost, and he hates admitting defeat.

At one point this morning, if you listen to the president's remarks, his tone and message became bitter, and he lashed out at those who subjected his dear friend to "months of unfair treatment." The president added:

"It's sad that we live in a time when a talented, honorable person like Alberto Gonzales is impeded from doing important work because his good name was dragged through the mud for political reasons."

On their face, Bush's comments are transparently dumb. Gonzales wasn't "honorable"; he was a disgrace to himself and his office. Gonzales wasn't "talented"; by his own admission, a variety of important Justice Department decisions were made with Gonzales barely aware of what was going on around him. His name wasn't dragged through the mud "for political reasons"; it was dragged through the mud for legitimate reasons.

But there's another, perhaps more subtle angle to the president's comments this morning. Bush has said for months that he simply didn't care whether Democrats, Republicans, the electorate, career DoJ officials, scholars, pundits, or anyone else supported Gonzales. He had one boss, who approved of his work. Nothing else mattered.

Today, however, by whining about "unfair treatment," Bush was effectively conceding that Gonzales was hounded from office by scandal.

Consider Bush's comments and demeanor when Karl Rove announced his retirement:

"Karl Rove is moving on down the road. I've been talking to Karl for a while about his desire to spend more time with Darby and Andrew. This is a family that has made enormous sacrifices not only for our beloved state of Texas, but for a country we both love.

"We've been friends for a long time, and we're still going to be friends. I would call Karl Rove a dear friend. We've known each other as youngsters interested in serving our state. We worked together so we could be in a position to serve this country. And so I thank my friend. I'll be on the road behind you here in a little bit. I thank Darby and I thank Karl for making a tremendous sacrifice, and I wish you all the very best."

There wasn't a hint of bitterness; Rove was just stepping down because he felt like it. The scandals, the lies, the criminal behavior, the countless calls for his resignation -- none of that factored into the equation at all. Rove decided it was time to go, and that was that. White House critics, and their "unfair treatment," weren't even mentioned in passing. Rove wasn't being driven from his job; he was leaving on his own terms.

Contrast that with this morning. Bush was angry and annoyed. The president could have just as easily appeared alongside Gonzales this morning, and read the exact same comments from Rove's resignation event, and the message and tone would have been positive.

But instead the president made a tacit admission: Gonzales' scandals were too much to bear. He no longer had any credibility, and could no longer function in his job. Everything Bush had said about Gonzales not needing anyone else's support turned out to be wrong.

The president and his team could have tried to spin it the other way -- I'm genuinely surprised they didn't give it a shot -- but instead they did something unusual: they admitted defeat.

Comments

[DonL]

Once again, the Prez has accused others of what he and his team have practiced all along. Like Claude Rains' character in Casablanca, he is "shocked" that "a good man has been smeared for political purposes." Black is white, war is peace. Any bets on when we're going to "defend" ourselves from an Iranian attack?

[Independent_voter]

This shows the extent to which bush is in denial. He has no sense of right and wrong, no sense of justice. Everything in this man's life is about political gain and power grabs.

It's a good thing that fearless leader found Jesus - I can't imagine what kind of an asshole he would be without spiritual guidance from on high.

[Veleria29]

This is Bush's way of soothing his ego for as you know the Decider is never wrong it the entire Country that is browbeating him into losing this toadie.

[LIR]

His name wasn't dragged through the mud "for political reasons"; it was dragged through the mud for legitimate reasons.

Steve, you had me HOWLING at that one. Bush is the last person on this planet to refer to any of his appointees as talented...talented at lying, cheating, and mismanagement, certainly. Just when you think Dumbyah can't say another stupider, more idiotic comment, he tops himself with his air kiss to Alberto. Gonezo's wince-inducing exit speech made you want to throttle him for his shamelessness...

[Herrington]

You can judge a man by the company he keeps as well as by what he does and says. Any man that will brook obvious sycophants that will try to surround him is a man of low confidence. A man who is confident in his thinking will seek out different opinions and engage in dialogue. He will not tolerate flattery or unconditional loyalty, and will not be forgiven an error by any atonement other than his own self imposed grief. If you disagree with these measures of a man, fine, but measured by them, Bush has never been a man.

[Veleria29]

Herrington I totally agree. Your comments reminded me of Lincoln and the problems he had to go through with in his administration. He brought some of his enimies who hated him into his cabinet and succeeded in making some of them his friend. There were no toadies in Lincolns cabinet.

[darker]

Whiner Bush can whine all he wants. That should NOT save THE DECIDER from accountability.

Bush-Cheney's "JUSTICE" DEPT. OF CHAOS under Gonzales must be investigated.

Bush-Cheney's entire chaotic administration must be investigated.
THERE MUST BE ACCOUNTABILITY.

ACCOUNTABILITY is the requirement of a Democracy. Bush-Cheney-Gonzales served up a chaos of "smoke & mirrors" while behaving like CRIMINALS.

All of them must be investigated and held accountable.

[TheCommons]

Now Bush suddenly finds a sense of ethics? There is suddenly some level of discourse when attacking an opponent beneath which even Bush won't sink? Nah--I don't think so.

If he had any ethics, he would go on national TV and make his little statement twice. First time substituting the name "John Kerry" for "Alberto Gonzales" and the second time putting in the name "John McCain".

[ikkytito]

It's called whinning by the consevatives-

[Backcaster]

Saying that the Dem's dragged Gonzo's name through the mud for political reasons I assume bush meant the sick, slimy, remains of the "River of Lies" that has been flowing out of the oval office for thde past six plus years. We are in deep do-do friends

[AlteredEgo]

Poor Fredo, says JrBush. Just like Scooter -- another "good" man that mean old America just "misunderestimated."

[AlteredEgo]

Disagree strongly that Bush "admitted defeat." He never admits defeat. What he did was BLAME all those who hounded his lapdog out of DOJ. Blaming others is something Bush has practiced until perfect.

[fightorleave2]

Why does anyone believe that Rove is "gone." First of all, I am sure that he still works wherever he worked before, and even if he leaves Washington, I don't think he will be writing a book. I have to believe he will be a big part of the 2008 election. I'm thinking Thompson who might name Bush (Jeb) his v.p., or even it could be the other way around.

[Raven]

Yes, Steve, they admitted defeat.

Clearly.

Uncharacteristically.

Even for this crowd, it was a rather bizarre event.

Which just makes you wonder what the hell was really going on today that they didn't want us watching...

[gallery]

BINGO !
l Love how you wrapped that up Steve.
The best assessment today.

[NYDamien]

Towards the end of the Pacific part of WW2, a group of cooler heads, understanding the war was lost, had concluded that Tojo was bent on national suicide. They met in secret to try and formulate a plan to end the war and prevent utter and total destruction. The scene was replayed in Germany shortly after, and to a not exact anology, America during Nixon's final days.
We are at a point, with a year and a half to go, that even the most zealous, partisan, idol worshipping Senator and Congressman, must realize that our country is in mortal peril. Do we not have a small group of representatives, officials, and generals of both parties that would approach Pres. Bush and show him a merciful and face saving way to exit?
I realize we have become numbed and calloused by the events of the last seven years and I wonder what the members of our mental health profession feel about our disturbed and psychologically crippled executive is capable of at this point.
They scared us into a war with the spectre of a mushroom cloud. I hope the powerful opinion makers and leaders find a way to rise to the occasion and give America a fighting chance to restore itself now that we are literally staring at a mushroom cloud.