Comment
Of Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.),
Ranking Member, Senate Judiciary Committee,
On The Written Replies
By Attorney General Nominee Alberto Gonzales
To Committee Members’ Confirmation Hearing Questions
Tuesday, January 18, 2005
“This was another missed opportunity for
straight answers and accountability. I regret seeing Judge Gonzales fall
into the same pattern of stonewalling and non-cooperation that we have seen
far too often from this Administration and from the current attorney
general.
“I gave Judge Gonzales many questions well in
advance of the hearing so there would be no surprises, and he still
declined to give straight answers to most of them. His answers during the
hearing were largely unresponsive. Now his answers to written questions
after the hearing, with few exceptions, again are either vague,
unresponsive or AWOL.
“I will carefully review his written answers
and decide how to proceed. Judge Gonzales gives the impression that he
feels that he does not have to substantively answer questions before his
confirmation, even though he wants to be Attorney General of the
United States. That is unfortunate, because the most important question
hanging over this nomination is the question of accountability.”
