White House Gaggle

By Victoria Jones
White House Gaggle
March 15, 2007
By Victoria Jones

The President’s Schedule

The President had his usual briefings. At 10.05 he will meet with the Vice President of Iraq. He will attend the Congressional St Patrick’s Day luncheon at 12.30.

Alberto Gonzales/Department of Justice/US Attorneys

White House Press Secretary Tony Snow said that the President has confidence in the Attorney General, and has also made it clear that the Department of Justice did not handle properly the notification of US Attorneys that they intended to find replacements for some Capitol Hill notifications, and there was some Hill testimony where people were not fully briefed on email trails etc. Thus the Attorney General will be doing outreach to Members of Congress.

The point was made that the Attorney General has said that mistakes were made with the Patriot Act, and mistakes were made with prosecutors. Snow was asked how many mistakes could be made before action was taken. Snow said the President has confidence in the Attorney General.

Asked if the White House would allow testimony from Harriet Miers or Karl Rove, Snow said they were trying to get the information congressional committees need in a manner that is consistent with presidential prerogatives. Fred Fielding was on the Hill yesterday having conversations with Members. They will work that out in the next couple of days. Asked if he hoped Fred Fielding could avoid the issuance of subpoenas, Snow said they are getting them the information they need in a manner consistent with presidential prerogatives.

Snow was asked if the President believes it was appropriate to fire the US attorneys. He said that it was. US attorneys serve 4 years terms with a hold over provision. In each of these cases the 4 year term had expired. It is perfectly appropriate for people who serve at the pleasure of the President to be replaced at the pleasure of the President.

When it was pointed out that the President has said that he did not specifically know about these attorneys, Snow said he delegates responsibility to Cabinet officers.

It was stated that in the email traffic loyalty is listed as a criterion for employment as a US attorney. Snow was asked if the President believes loyalty is a criterion. Snow said the President’s criterion is whether people are being effective, performing up to standards as US attorneys. It does not mean they are being held to political litmus tests.

Asked for a response to Senator Sununu’s calling for Attorney General Gonzales to step down, Snow said the White House is disappointed. The President has not called him.

Snow was asked if it is the White House’s position that in the decision to remove the US attorneys, and who to replace them with, there was no inappropriate pressure brought to bear. He said that is correct.

Snow was asked what role Karl Rove had, beyond telling Harriet Miers that it was not a good idea to get rid of 93 US attorneys. Snow said they are doing internal document reviews, and DoJ has not completed its document production. He said he could not characterize it.

Snow was asked how he could say there was not a political element when the emails say the people who were dismissed were not on the administration’s agenda. Snow said they were talking about underperforming in terms of benchmarks laid out priorities, e.g. application of the death penalty. An agenda is not about doing politics. This is saying there are certain things specified by the DoJ as areas of emphasis and concern.

Snow said the White House is perfectly happy with the corruption investigations. Corrupt public officials ought to be rooted out and prosecuted.

Snow was asked if it is the White House position that the mistakes that were made were limited to improperly informing the prosecutors and improperly informing Congress, and that no mistakes were made beyond that. What were the mistakes? Snow referred the reporter to the DoJ as they conducted the review.

There is ongoing document review at the White House and document production at the DoJ. The DoJ has made it clear that the reviews were based on performance, Snow said.
It is perfectly appropriate for the President to replace people who serve at his pleasure. He does not believe a mistake was made in replacing people. The way it was handled does not meet with the President’s approval. The President stands by the decision to replace 7 US attorneys who served at his pleasure.

Snow was asked if the White House is talking to Republican Members of Congress to try to stave off other defections after Sen. John Sununu called for the resignation of Attorney General Gonzales. He said he was sure that there were conversations as there was a lot going on.

RNC Email

Snow was asked if he has ever conducted official White House non political business on an email address of the Republican National Committee. He said he had not.

Khalim Sheikh Muhammad

Snow was asked if the President finds Khalid Sheikh Muhammad’s confessions credible. Snow would not comment, citing matters of command influence.

Iraq Senate Resolution

Snow was asked if the President intends to veto the Iraq senate resolution. He said absolutely, if it comes up in its current form.