Snow: US Attorneys Firing Plan Was Miers’ Alone

ABC News’ Karen Travers Reports: White House Press Secretary Tony Snow told reporters today in an off-camera briefing that former White House Counsel Harriet Miers wrote a memo suggesting that all 93 chief federal district prosecutors be replaced — and that it was her idea alone.

Snow explained that the idea was quickly rejected by the Department of Justice because the they said it would be too disruptive, and because the idea didn’t make sense and so it was dropped, said Snow.

When asked by reporters why Ms. Miers came up with that idea, Snow said he did not know.

The press secretary said there was a recommendation by Ms. Miers, that it was short lived and quickly rejected after conversations between the Department of Justice and Ms. Miers.

Snow said there was then a review to replace seven attorneys, based on their performance.

The Department of Justice sent a list of seven names of US Attorneys to the White House for review, with a recommendation that they be replaced because of performance concerns, Snow explained.

After a review, the White House agreed that these seven US attorneys be replaced.  Snow said it is important to note that the idea of replacing all 93 US Attorneys was passing on, and quickly rejected.

Another attorney was fired months earlier.

Snow said President Bush’s role in this has been overstated and the idea of replacing all did not rise to the level of the President. Snow said he is not sure if President Bush ever saw the initial Miers memo.

Snow said the White House was hearing concerns about allegations of voter fraud and said that think of it in reverse – if they didn’t act.

Snow said President Bush and Attorney General Gonzales had a meeting with some members of the cabinet in Oct. 2006, and discussed the matter.  At that time, the White House never said that a particular prosecutor had to be replaced.

Snow said Karl Rove probably passed on concerns about voter fraud, but made no specific recommendations on attorneys.

White House Press Secretary Tony Snow said the President has confidence in Gonzales, and that Gonzales has not submitted his resignation. Snow did not know about his cancelled travel today.