Top Republicans back away from Gonzales but White House holds on News
Top Republicans back away from Gonzales but White House holds on

[JURIST] Top GOP senators Arlen Specter (R-PA), Chuck Hagel (R-NE), and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) [official websites] expressed concern [AP report] Sunday about Attorney General Alberto Gonzales' [official profile; JURIST news archive] credibility in the wake of Friday document disclosures [JURIST report] indicating his direct involvement in discussions surrounding the firing of eight US Attorneys, contrary to previous testimony to Congress. Democrat Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) meanwhile called for Gonzales' resignation. Specter said he would reserve his judgment on whether Gonzales should resign until his next scheduled testimony on April 17.

President Bush Saturday repeated his own adamant support for Gonzales in his weekly radio address [text]. Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) [official website] also voiced his support for Gonzales, saying there was "no clear evidence that the attorney general deliberately lied or misled Congress" and that there was no reason for him to resign. AP has more.

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