Republicans find it tough to back Gonzales over firings

E-mails indicate Congress unaware how involved the White House was

By MICHELLE MITTELSTADT
Copyright 2007 Houston Chronicle Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON — The controversy swirling around Attorney General Alberto Gonzales over the firing of eight U.S. attorneys intensified Tuesday, with Senate Republicans offering only a qualified defense in the face of calls by some Democrats that he resign.

Even Texas Republican Sens. John Cornyn and Kay Bailey Hutchison — typically full-throated defenders of the Bush administration — expressed concern that Gonzales and the Justice Department had mishandled explanations to Congress about the White House's involvement in the prosecutors' firing last December.

"Appearances are troubling," Cornyn said. "I think the executive branch owes it to Congress to be forthcoming when Congress asks for information, and this has not been handled well."

The administration sought Tuesday to tamp down the growing scandal, which already has prompted the resignation of Gonzales' chief of staff and sparked the threat that top White House officials could be subpoenaed to appear before Congress. Among the possible witnesses: White House political adviser Karl Rove and former presidential counsel Harriet Miers, who has returned to Dallas since leaving the administration

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House Committee Chairmen Say Probe of Fired U.S. Attorneys Should Include Abramoff Case

US Attorney Removal Halted Abramoff Investigation

Former prosecutor, Frederick A. Black, has received little attention. The administration fired Black shortly after he began investigating Jack Abramoff's dealings in Guam. Lawmakers say, "It is necessary now to re-examine the case as it may represent the beginning of a pattern of behavior by some members of Congress and officials in the Bush administration to politicize the work of US attorneys and to quash their independence."

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