NPR: The Continuing Saga of Gonzales' Hospital Room Visit

The Continuing Saga of Gonzales' Hospital Room Visit

Ah, that Alberto Gonzales. He seems to be having such a problem with his memory these days.

The latest potential example involves the attorney general's visit to the bedside of then-AG John Ashcroft in 2004 for the now-infamous "We want you to OK this possibly illegal surveillance program right now, even if you just had a major operation" trip. Last month, Gonzales told the Senate Judiciary Committee that Ashcroft was "lucid" and "did most of the talking" during the brief meeting.

But FBI Director Robert Mueller, who saw Ashcroft right after the meeting, made some notes (those FBI guys -- such sticklers for details) that paint a different picture of Ashcroft's condition. Five pages of heavily censored notes were released on Thursday, and, in Mueller's opinion, Ashcroft was "feeble" and "barely articulate." (Which makes sense for a guy who had just had surgery.) The notes support the description of Ashcroft given by then-Deputy AG James Comey, who was in the room during the surveillance discussion.

Hmm. Is this another case of Gonzales' memory misfiring -- or is one man's "feeble" another man's "lucid"?

10:30 AM ET | 08-17-2007 | permalink

Comments (Send a comment)

Does it really matter anymore? Are we still trying to give him the benefit of the doubt reserved to those showing signs of... what should we call it? Rectitude? What about traces of competence? Let's not waste energy debating his lack of memory, and respect for the institution he's supposed to represent. This White House, has brought loyalty down to a level only seen in certain mob circles, where the practice of ethics is no more than a showing of weakness before the enemy's eyes. Let's keep asking questions.

Sent by Gerson Rodriguez | 12:26 PM ET | 08-17-2007

It does not suprise me. This President has politicized and infiltrated just about all the institutions that we hold sacred in this country.

Sent by Manny Vazquez | 12:31 PM ET | 08-17-2007

It's quite clear that we have an Attorney General whose loyalties and purposes are to find ways around the laws for the Executive Branch to gain more power, and no longer to protect the voters from "the bad guys". A true low point in our history.

Sent by Norm Samuelson | 3:01 PM ET | 08-17-2007

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