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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2009
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Gonzales Refuses to Resign

Bipartisan criticism peppers AG's Senate testimony on U.S. attorney firings

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(Newser) – Attorney General Alberto Gonzales said under oath today he had only limited involvement in the firing of eight U.S. attorneys and "did not do anything improper." Testifying before  clearly hostile lawmakers, he spurned calls that he step down, saying, "The moment I believe I can no longer be effective, I will resign."

Gonzales apologized again for "misstatements" he made at press conferences where he claimed he had no involvement in the firings, and insisted that all eight attorneys were fired for apolitical reasons. That didn't stop members of the Senate Judiciary Committee—including several Republicans—from demanding that he resign.

Attorney General Alberto Gonzales testifies before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington Thursday, April 19, 2007 about the controversial dismissal of eight U. S. attorneys. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
Attorney General Alberto Gonzales testifies before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington Thursday, April 19, 2007 about the controversial dismissal of eight U. S. attorneys. (AP...   (Associated Press)
Attorney General Alberto Gonzales testifies before the Senate Judiciary Committee in the U. S. Capitol in Washington Thursday, April 19, 2007 about the controversial dismissal of eight U. S. attorneys. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
Attorney General Alberto Gonzales testifies before the Senate Judiciary Committee in the U. S. Capitol in Washington Thursday, April 19, 2007 about the controversial dismissal of eight U. S. attorneys....   (Associated Press)
Attorney General Alberto Gonzales pauses during his testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee in the U.S. Capitol in Washington Thursday, April 19, 2007 about the controversial dismissal of eight U.S. attorneys. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
Attorney General Alberto Gonzales pauses during his testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee in the U.S. Capitol in Washington Thursday, April 19, 2007 about the controversial dismissal of eight...   (Associated Press)
Attorney General Alberto Gonzales looks over a transcript during his testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington Thursday, April 19, 2007 about the controversial dismissal of eight U. S. attorneys. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
Attorney General Alberto Gonzales looks over a transcript during his testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington Thursday, April 19, 2007 about the controversial dismissal...   (Associated Press)
Attorney General Alberto Gonzales testifies before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington Thursday, April 19, 2007 about the controversial dismissal of eight U. S. attorneys. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
Attorney General Alberto Gonzales testifies before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington Thursday, April 19, 2007 about the controversial dismissal of eight U. S. attorneys. (AP...   (Associated Press)
Attorney General Alberto Gonzales testifies before the Senate Judiciary Committee in the U.S. Capitol in Washington Thursday, April 19, 2007 about the controversial dismissal of eight U.S. attorneys. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
Attorney General Alberto Gonzales testifies before the Senate Judiciary Committee in the U.S. Capitol in Washington Thursday, April 19, 2007 about the controversial dismissal of eight U.S. attorneys....   (Associated Press)
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