Welcome to Gonzales Watch - Blawging the Ex-Attorney General

Peter Keisler, the head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division under Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, gave 2-weeks notice today that he’s resigning.

Keisler is one of three Bush appointees who were accused by Sharon Y. Eubanks, the DOJ’s former lead tobacco racketeering prosecution lawyer of interfering with the government’s prosecution of the case against Big Tobacco.

According to an account that Eubanks gave the Washington Post, Keisler and two other Bush appointees only took an interest in her team’s civil racketeering case against tobacco companies “when it became clear that the government might win.”

Before being appointed by Bush, Keilser was a litigator at Sidley Austin, LLP, and served as Assistant Counsel and then Associate Counsel in the White House under former President Ronald Reagan.

Keisler was nominated by President Bush to be a federal appellate judge at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit is still pending.

Given the allegations made against him by Eubanks concerning the huge penalty changes in the government’s settlement with tobacco companies — the $130B in civil penalties were reduced to just $10B after Keisler and his colleagues reportedly made Eubanks rewrite her closing arguments — his nomination is sure to be hotly contested before the Senate Judiciary Committee.

In the end, Alberto Gonzales’ lapdog loyalty to his boss was his greatest downfall, not only for the Attorney General, but for the administration that he was brought in to serve.

That is what Gonzales’ resignation has taught the country.

The country’s top lawyer never proved himself to be an independent thinker. Gonzales is a sycophant, a yes-man to sign off on President Bush’s legal policies.

The Washington Post emphasizes that “realities trumped loyalty” when the White House and GOP could not halt bi-partisan attacks over politically-motivated firings of U.S. Attorneys, and absence of real leadership inside the Justice Department.

In the end, there is only one lapdog that President Bush can still call upon for true loyalty: his name is Barney.

New York Times Washington correspondent Philip Shenon has a terrific video piece on Attorney General Gonzales’ resignation from the “Texas Mafia.”

Shenon explains that this described “the small group of aides that Bush brought with him to Washington from Texas.” In addition to Gonzales, that group also included another Texas lawyer: former White House Counsel Harriet Miers.

It’s a Monday morning shocker! U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales formally announced that he’s resigning in three weeks, effective September 17, 2007.

Here is the text of his formal statement:

Thirteen years ago, I entered public service to make a positive difference in the lives of others. During this time, I have traveled a remarkable journey from my home state of Texas to Washington, D.C., supported by the unwavering love and encouragement of my wife Rebecca and our sons Jared, Graham, and Gabriel. Yesterday, I met with President Bush and informed him of my decision to conclude my government service as Attorney General of the United States, effective as of September 17, 2007.

Let me say that it has been one of my greatest privileges to lead the Department of Justice. I have great admiration and respect for the men and women who work here. I have made a point as Attorney General to personally meet as many of them as possible and today I want to again thank them for their service to our nation. It is through their continued work that our country and our communities remain safe, that the rights and civil liberties of our citizens are protected and the hopes and dreams of all of our children are secured.

I often remind our fellow citizens that we live in the greatest country in the world and that I have lived the American dream. Even my worst days as Attorney General have been better than my father’s best days. Public service is honorable and noble, and I am profoundly grateful to President Bush for his friendship and for the many opportunities he has given me to serve the American people.

Thank you and God bless America.

Gonzales threw in the towel in what he promised just two months ago would be “a sprint to the finish line” during his last 18-months on the job.

But Gonzales will leave office like scampering Texas jackrabbit with his tail between his legs. The questions that remain unanswered about Gonzales’ prominent role in the politicized firings of career U.S. Attorneys are likely to still be pursued by Congress.

Texas lawyers are likely to have a one question on their minds today: if he returns to Texas, which law firm will Gonzales join?