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Gonzales says he intends to remain as attorney general; Bush voices support
The Associated Press
Issue date: 4/24/07 Section: News
WASHINGTON - Alberto Gonzales, with a fresh vote of confidence from President Bush, vowed Monday to remain as attorney general despite lingering differences with senators over the firing of federal prosecutors.
Appearing at a news conference on identity theft, Gonzales said he will remain "as long as I can continue to serve effectively."
"There are a series of priorities, a series of objectives, that I want to see accomplished," he said, "and we are working as hard as we can to achieve those objectives. Obviously, as head of an agency ... we worry about questions about morale. The way I do it is by speaking directly to U.S. attorneys. ... "
"I have an obligation to work with the Congress and I will continue to work with the Congress," he said.
"We're going to correct the mistakes that have been made. I have accepted responsibility," Gonzales said. "I've already indicated that I've made mistakes and I accept responsibility for that."
Earlier, Bush gave his longtime friend and associate a strong endorsement. Appearing with Gen. David Petraeus at the White House, the president told reporters, "This is an honest, honorable man, in whom I have confidence."
The president said that Gonzales' testimony before skeptical Judiciary Committee senators last week "increased my confidence" in his ability to lead the Justice Department. Separately, a White House spokeswoman said, "He's staying."
Gonzales has been under fire for what the White House acknowledges was his poor handling of the firing of eight federal prosecutors. He claimed dozens of times at last week's hearing that he couldn't recall key details about the prosecutors' firings or about a key November meeting that documents show he attended.
Bush said that while some senators did not like the way Gonzales answered the questions, he continues to back his attorney general.
"As the hearings went forward, it was clear the attorney general broke no law, there's no wrongdoing," Bush said.
Appearing at a news conference on identity theft, Gonzales said he will remain "as long as I can continue to serve effectively."
"There are a series of priorities, a series of objectives, that I want to see accomplished," he said, "and we are working as hard as we can to achieve those objectives. Obviously, as head of an agency ... we worry about questions about morale. The way I do it is by speaking directly to U.S. attorneys. ... "
"I have an obligation to work with the Congress and I will continue to work with the Congress," he said.
"We're going to correct the mistakes that have been made. I have accepted responsibility," Gonzales said. "I've already indicated that I've made mistakes and I accept responsibility for that."
Earlier, Bush gave his longtime friend and associate a strong endorsement. Appearing with Gen. David Petraeus at the White House, the president told reporters, "This is an honest, honorable man, in whom I have confidence."
The president said that Gonzales' testimony before skeptical Judiciary Committee senators last week "increased my confidence" in his ability to lead the Justice Department. Separately, a White House spokeswoman said, "He's staying."
Gonzales has been under fire for what the White House acknowledges was his poor handling of the firing of eight federal prosecutors. He claimed dozens of times at last week's hearing that he couldn't recall key details about the prosecutors' firings or about a key November meeting that documents show he attended.
Bush said that while some senators did not like the way Gonzales answered the questions, he continues to back his attorney general.
"As the hearings went forward, it was clear the attorney general broke no law, there's no wrongdoing," Bush said.
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