…Alberto “Gonzo” Gonzales has actually made his predecessor, John “Pentacostal and Proud of It” Ashcroft look good. Ashcroft, who (under the influence of his religion) had statues covered up because they had exposed breasts, is now being held up as a responsible Attorney General. I’m not going to savage Ashcroft here — there are others who are far more qualified than myself who can do so — but will instead say that if Ashcroft is now winning praise for emphasizing to prospective United State’s Attorneys the importance of leaving politics at the door then that Gonzo’s behavior must be criminal in every meaning of the word (and if Gonzo didn’t break the letter of the law, then his behavior constitutes yet another example of just how truly depraved the current state of politics is).

I honestly never thought that I’d see the day when people would actually start rhapsodizing about the days when Ashcroft was Attorney General. I guess that goes to show just how naive I am. I knew that Gonzo was bad, but I should have realized — and didn’t — just how awful he is. He was appointed by Presdent Shrub; so I should have realized that he wouldn’t think twice about politicizing the Justice Department (maybe that’s why Ashcroft got the boot…). I guess that this article shouldn’t surprise me either.

Ex-Prosecutor Says He Faced Partisan Questions Before Firing

John McKay of Washington state, who had decided two years earlier not to bring voter fraud charges that could have undermined a Democratic victory in a closely fought gubernatorial race, said White House counsel Harriet Miers and her deputy, William Kelley, “asked me why Republicans in the state of Washington would be angry with me.”

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He added that he took umbrage at the idea that he had other responsibilities beyond focusing “on the evidence and not allow[ing] politics into the work that we do in criminal prosecutions.” Those involved in the scandal over the firings who acted unprofessionally “or even illegally” must be held accountable for what they did, he said.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/24/AR2007032401122.html