Gonzales hazy about 8 firings

WASHINGTON — Time and again Thursday, Attorney General Alberto Gonzales said he had a hazy memory about his role in the firings of eight federal prosecutors. Seventy-one times, in fact.

To the frustration of Democrats and Republicans alike, Gonzales said in his Senate testimony he could not fully or even partially recall key details about the firings — even conversations he participated in, beginning in late 2004.

"You're talking about a series of events that occurred over approximately 700 days," Gonzales said at one point during his five hours of testimony. "I probably had thousands of conversations during that time."

That didn't wash with Sen. Arlen Specter, top Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee, which is investigating whether last year's firings of eight U.S. attorneys were politically motivated. Gonzales says he had only a limited role in the firings; senators pointed to documents and previous testimony showing a more extensive involvement.

"Your characterization of your participation is just significantly, if not totally, at variance with the facts," Specter said.

One fellow GOP conservative, Sen. Tom Coburn of Oklahoma, called for Gonzales to resign. "The best way to put this behind us is your resignation," Coburn bluntly told Gonzales.

Gonzales dug in, defending his decision to oust the U.S. attorneys.

"The notion that there was something that was improper that happened here is simply not supported," Gonzales said, adding that he would make the same firings decision again.

Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, was much gentler to Gonzales than Specter or others on the panel. He had two turns at questioning the attorney general, where he helped Gonzales by having him explain his responsibilities and job functions as the attorney general and made him reiterate that he has accepted the situation was mishandled.

"Mr. Attorney General, do you make decisions at the Justice Department based upon the polls?" Hatch asked as his first question.

Gonzales said he does not and Hatch re-emphasized the point, saying "No, you don't, do you?"

"Senator, I make decisions, particularly with respect to cases, based on the evidence, not based upon whether or not the target is a Republican or Democrat. And, of course, I've been appointed by the president, confirmed by the Senate to make decisions based on my best judgment."