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When Alberto Gonzales stepped down, the Tribune really lit into him. “President Bush has done a lousy job of picking attorney generals,” the editorial began. “His first, John Ashcroft, was a grandstanding ideologue who demonized his critics by saying their efforts ‘only aid terrorists.’ His second, Alberto Gonzales, was a longtime Texas pal of the president who saw his role as toadying to the White House.”
This much can be said for Gonzales: he gave the “grandstanding ideologue” who was his predecessor an opportunity to conduct himself — and thus be remembered — as a giant of constitutional moderation. It was a gallant, generous act. Few cabinet members have ever been willing to make their predecessors look better by making themselves look even worse. Now Gonzales needs a Gonzales, and with Democrats running the confirmation process he’s not likely to be so lucky.
