Gonzales shivved by former number 2

Attorney General Roberto Gonzales' argument that the US Attorneys fired last December were sacked over performance was dealt a death blow by James B. Comey, his second in command who was responsible for direct oversight of all US Attorneys from 2003 until August 2005.

In testimony Thursday before a House Judiciary Committee subcommittee, the Washington Post reports Comey as saying

"...that although he was the "direct supervisor" of all U.S attorneys, he was never informed about an effort by Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales and his aides to remove a large group of prosecutors that began in early 2005."

Further, Comey spoke of the fired attorneys in positive terms

"My experience with the U.S. attorneys just listed was very positive," Comey said, referring to six of the former prosecutors who testified in Congress in March. He added that the reasons given for their firings "have not been consistent with my experience" and that "I had very positive encounters with these folks."

Talking Points Memo blogger Paul Kiel reported live from the hearings in several instalments that Comey testified 1) he was cut out of the firing process, 2) the San Diego's Carol Lam was 'a fine US Attorney', and 3) that the two attorney he WAS involved in firing were NOT on Gonzales' list.

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In the media --

Talking Points Memo:

1. "Comey Was Cut out of Firing Process"
2. "Comey: Lam Was a "Fine" U.S. Attorney"
3. "Comey Details U.S. Attorney Firings"

Washington Post: "Former Supervisor Extols Fired Prosecutors"

-- Dan Damon

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