JURIST - Paper Chase: Gonzales insists nothing improper in firing of US Attorneys

[JURIST] Writing Sunday in a Washington Post op-ed [text], US Attorney General Alberto Gonzales denied any impropriety on his part in the firings of eight US Attorneys [JURIST news archive]. Two days before his scheduled Congressional testimony on the firings, Gonzales said he had "nothing to hide":

I know that I did not -- and would not -- ask for the resignation of any U.S. attorney for an improper reason. Furthermore, I have no basis to believe that anyone involved in this process sought the removal of a U.S. attorney for an improper reason.

Gonzales has been criticized by Democrats and Republicans for his inability to convince legislators his actions in firing the federal prosecutors was justified. Many view the upcoming hearings as Gonzales' last chance to save his job, including Arlen Specter (R-PA) [official website], the most senior Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee. AP has more.

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