Chris Dodd for President

It's not surprising that there was a lot of discussion on the blogs and in the press yesterday of Attorney General Alberto Gonzales' sudden resignation while surrounded by scandal. I wanted to highlight some key points to take away from yesterday's events.

Professor Juan Cole reminds us that while Gonzales has left under a cloud of scandal surrounding the firing of US Attorneys for partisan reasons, he was never subjected to adequate inquisition for his role in rendering the Geneva Conventions "obsolete" in the eyes of the administration. In so doing, he "authorized torture and assaulted the basic principles of the US constitution," transgressions that will blight the Bush administration and his role within it on the pages of history. Hopefully there will be a continued commitment by Congress to investigate policies adopted and approved of by Gonzales, something that Cliff Schecter agrees is necessary.

Jack Balkin writes:

As for Mr. Gonzales, he was a disgrace to the office. There are many roles he could have competently filled -- and did fill -- in his career. The nation's chief law enforcement officer was not one of them. He abused his office for political gain, repeatedly misled Congress under oath --and probably out and out lied on more than one occasion -- and turned a once proud institution of government into an object of deep suspicion.

Though Balkin uses harsh words, his justification is the same as Dodd's call for Gonzales' replacement in May as a means "to ensure that the integrity and the efficacy of the Department of Justice... and, indeed, to preserve the honor and the effectiveness of our nation."

The New York Times editorializes:

Attorney General Alberto Gonzales has finally done something important to advance the cause of justice. He has resigned. But his departure alone cannot remove the dark cloud that hangs over the Justice Department. President Bush needs to choose a new attorney general of unquestioned integrity who would work to make the department worthy of its name again — and provide the mandate to do it. Congress needs to continue to investigate the many scandals Mr. Gonzales leaves behind.

As Dodd said yesterday, this resignation is "long overdue." That it advances the cause of justice is only evidence of the great need for Mr. Gonzales to have stepped aside long ago. What a said state of affairs that the exit of one of the highest ranking officials in the President's administration is met by the celebration as a chance to now return the executive branch to the path of law and order.

Attorney General Alberto Gonzaels' resigned earlier. Senator Dodd called for Gonzales' resignation in May, while simultaneously offering a resolution in the Senate urging President Bush to replace Gonzales, and today issued a strong statement on the personnel move.

Hopefully now that Mr. Gonzales no longer occupies a seat in the Bush administration, he'll be more forthcoming about details surrounding the US Attorneys scandal, warrantless surveillance programs, and a host of other Congressional investigations that he has used his office to stymy. As Steve Benen writes, "His resignation does not end the inquiry into the DoJ’s many scandals. Laws may have been broken and lawmakers still want answers. Gonzales’ decision to exit stage right doesn’t change that."

President Bush must nominate an individual with a record that lacks Mr. Gonzales' penchant for toeing the administration line ahead of his Constitutional duties to uphold the law. That individual must be given a full and comprehensive hearing before the Senate to determine their fitness for the role of Attorney General of the United States. A recess appointment is not an acceptable option. For now it seems that the President is asking US Solicitor Paul Clement to serve as acting Attorney General until a replacement is confirmed on a permanent basis. Looking forward, someone coming from outside the Bush administration is going to be the best course for finding an acceptable replacement with adequate credentials is an independent-minded, accomplished lawyer.

Gonzales' resignation offers the country another opportunity to inspect what has occurred during the Bush administration and what needs to be done to restore the rule of law in America. Senator Dodd has laid down a clear marker on where he stands and what he is looking for in the next Attorney General. Restoring the Constitution and upholding the law, while pushing for reforms within the Department of Justice, will require other senators join Senator Dodd in his call for a "truly independent" replacement. Now is the time for a real, meaningful change following the vision for reform provided by the Senator who's been called "D-Constitution" -- Chris Dodd.

Senator Chris Dodd on Attorney General Alberto Gonzales' resignation:

"Mr. Gonzales' Justice Department became a political wing of the Bush Administration and his resignation is long overdue. I will only vote to confirm a nominee for Attorney General who is truly independent and who will guarantee reforms that restore and uphold the Constitution."

Senator Dodd called for Gonzales' resignation in May, while simultaneously offering a resolution in the Senate urging President Bush to replace Gonzales.