Republicans are right when they characterize the push for a no-confidence vote against Attorney General Alberto Gonzales as a meaningless political ploy. Democratic leaders knew the chances of getting such a thing past Republicans in the Senate were slim, but they wanted to score points by appearing to be anti-corruption.

However, politics aside, the attorney general ought to have the decency to resign.

Not only is Gonzales virtually powerless (Congress is unlikely to support any new Justice Department initiatives as long as he is in charge), but he has conducted himself shamefully during the entire investigation into his office. Competent Justice Department attorneys, including his former chief of staff, Utahn D. Kyle Sampson, were forced to resign so that Gonzales could avoid taking responsibility. Meanwhile, Gonzales himself has admitted making incomplete statements to the public.

Frankly, it's unseemly for any leader to push loyal subordinates in front of the firing squad in order to save his own hide. Gonzales needs to finally own up to his own actions.

Those actions likely go beyond the firing of eight U.S. attorneys. They involve allegations he used a political litmus test in the hiring of career employees and in the pursuit of certain cases ahead of others. Allegations include those that he pursued vote fraud cases selectively in states where the outcome could benefit Republicans. Americans, who are taught from their earliest school days that justice is blind, deserve better from the nation's top prosecutor.

The failure of the no-confidence vote in the Senate (Democrats fell seven votes shy of the 60 needed to cut off debate), has likely taken the air out of the sails of those who would pursue Gonzales any further. Observers say the House isn't likely to try a similar vote, which would be worse than meaningless without the Senate.

In addition, the rumblings that Democrats might step up their investigation with new subpoenas to key figures such as Karl Rove may be fading, as well. The majority party clearly doesn't have enough support to push its case.

That doesn't mean Gonzales is vindicated, however. Nor does it mean he can spend the next 18 months in office doing anything of significance for the American public.