Gonzales - Can't Remember S**t

Apparently Gonzales can't remember shit and Bush is "pleased" with Gonzales' testimony, White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said. The attorney general had the president's "full support," she said.

At the end of the day, Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., renewed his call for Gonzales' resignation.

Schumer said Gonzales, despite weeks of preparation, demonstrated a lack of knowledge about the workings of his own department. By his own count, Schumer said, Gonzales answered that he didn't know or couldn't recall to about 100 questions.

"I urge you," Schumer said, "for the good of the department, for the good of the country, step down."

Specter, meanwhile, was blunt and said Gonzales' credibility and job were at stake. "You come to this hearing with a heavy burden of proof … to justify the replacement of these U.S. attorneys and to demonstrate that you can provide the leadership of the Department of Justice," Specter said.

Specter took issue with Gonzales' statements at a news conference last month that he was not involved in any discussions about the removals prior to his decision to fire the eight prosecutors

The line of questioning produced a sharp exchange when Gonzales quipped that he always prepares for his hearings before the Senate.

An angry Specter shot back, "Did you prepare for your press conferences? Were you prepared for the press conference where you said there weren't any discussions involving you?"

Contributing: Douglas Stanglin

The attorney general, who spent the past three weeks preparing for his testimony, struggled to recall key details of his involvement in the firings, including a pivotal conversation with President Bush.

Such talk has been a trademark of the Bush administration, which has always resisted admitting mistakes. But in this new era of Democratic control, there appears to be a bipartisan consensus forming that the old tactics of evasion and deflection have run their course.

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