Gonzales' Departure Sets up Confirmation Battle

Aug. 27, 2007 — -- The resignation of Attorney General Alberto Gonzales robs Democrats of a favorite political punching bag, a singular and potent symbol that Democrats have used to blast the Bush administration for cronyism, incompetence and scandal.

With Karl Rove's near-simultaneous exit from the political scene, it's as if the White House is shedding its political baggage for President Bush's final 17 months in office — at the very time that the 2008 presidential race is starting to subsume the nation's political activities.

But if the White House is hoping for smoother sailing by clearing its roster of controversial figures, Democrats in Congress and the presidential race are giving no indication that they plan to let up.

Gonzales' departure sets up what's likely to be the first big confirmation battle since Democrats took over control of Congress in January.

That guarantees more scrutiny of a range of issues and topics many Republicans would rather not discuss — including Guantanamo Bay, warrantless wiretaps and political hirings and firings at the Department of Justice.

"Al Gonzales and Karl Rove will continue to be a source of red meat for the base," said Chris Lehane, a Democratic political consultant. "And you have to assume that anyone they nominate for attorney general is going to serve as a punching bag in the primary, and moving forward to the general election."

The scrutiny would be particularly intense if Bush taps Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff to head the Justice Department — a move that would set up two confirmation hearings for Cabinet posts, in a time period that roughly coincides with the second anniversary of Hurricane Katrina.

"If he picks Chertoff, he can expect controversy," former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards said on CNN today. "I don't think we should take the person who's responsible for Guantanamo and replace him with the person who [oversaw the government response] to Katrina."

Gonzales is clearly not leaving his post on his own terms.

His support in Congress has utterly collapsed, with some Republicans joining Democrats in urging the president to replace him after a series of contradictory appearances before congressional panels.