The Left Loses Another Whipping Boy

Attorney General Alberto Gonzales has decided to remove himself from the shooting gallery:

CRAWFORD, Texas (Aug. 27) - Attorney General Alberto Gonzales has resigned, ending a monthslong standoff with critics over the botched handling of FBI terror investigations and the firings of U.S. attorneys, officials said Monday.

The likely temporary replacement for Gonzales is Solicitor General Paul Clement, who would take over until a permanent replacement is found, according to a senior administration official who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The Justice Department planned a news conference for 10:30 a.m. EDT, in Washington. President Bush was expected to discuss Gonzales' departure -- first reported on The New York Times' Web site -- at his Crawford, Texas, ranch, before leaving on a trip to western states.

Gonzales served more than two years as the nation's first Hispanic attorney general. Lawmakers had voiced doubts about his truthfulness in combative and often evasive testimony to Congress .

"Better late than never," said Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards, summing up the response of many in Washington.

That John Edwards is just a ray of sunshine, isn't he.

Gonzales' departure was probably long overdue, and I can't help but think that Bush kept him on more out of friendship and stubborness than anything. Bush clearly didn't like seeing his friends get picked on and didn't want Pat Leahy dictating his cabinet choices.

As far as any wrongdoing, Gonzales may have been clumsy and possibly even incompetent in how he handled various crises, but there was nothing illegal in his activities and the Dems have absolutely nothing to go on if they wish to pursue other investigations.

And by the way, with Congress currently in recess, the president could simply make a recess appointment of a new attorney general and there would be no need for confirmation hearings and all that nonsense. It probably won't happen, but it would be entertaining if it did.

The dumbest reaction to Gonzales' departure? From Harry Reid, of course:

"Alberto Gonzales was never the right man for this job. He lacked independence, he lacked judgment, and he lacked the spine to say no to Karl Rove," he said.

Harry's still fighting a bad case of Rove Derangement Syndrome.

And then there's this from Scrappleface: Gonzales Quits, Bush Appoints Rove Attorney General

Wouldn't that be fun?