Can I get back to you on that?

So yes, I stayed up late riveted to the transcripts of the Gonzales hearing--like watching a disaster movie. I can say this much: I doubt I would have been awarded a PhD if I responded "um... I'm not sure" during my defense as many times as Alberto did at his hearing. Has the man been cooking with aluminum pots or what?

Here are some highlights:

Gonzales to Specter on the Inspector General's report on detention of aliens:

. . . I am aware of the report by the inspector general. I haven't reviewed it in great detail. I understand that the department has made most of the changes recommended by the IG. Obviously, it's something that I am concerned about.

As to the specific two cases you mentioned, I'm not aware of the details of those cases.

And as to the standard, quite frankly, Senator, that would be something I would have to look at and be happy to get back to you in the event that I am confirmed.

Gonzales to Dewine on prioritizing:

Senator, I wouldn't be so arrogant as to assume today that I have all the information that I would need to make that kind of prioritization.

When pushed here, Gonzales came up with the oh-so-concrete:

. . . I'm not sure that an attorney general can afford to focus in providing or dispensing justice in one area to the exclusion of the other. And so I would hope that, certainly at the end of four years, it would be said that Al Gonzales did the very best he could and hopefully was successful in ensuring that there was justice provided to Americans all across the spectrum on a wide variety of issues.

He then recited a laundry list of important items, including civil liberties and civil rights(!), concluding with "my goal, as impossible as it may be, or it may seem, is to try to ensure that justice is administered across the spectrum." (This was another point in the hearing that I was hoping someone's staff would get turned into an asp or something.)

Gonzales to Graham on the Uniform Code of Military Justice:

Would you like me to try to answer that now, Senator, Mr. Chairman?

Specter: Yes, Judge Gonzales, the question is pending.

Gonzales: And the question is do I believe that the military lawyers' judgment that --

Graham: -- the techniques being espoused in the memo may put our troops at jeopardy under the Uniform Code of Military Justice. (Pause.) And if you don't have -- if you want to look at -- take some time, that's fine.

Gonzales: Thank you, Senator.

Graham: I mean, that's a very -- I want sometime later for you to answer that question, but you don't have to do it right now.

Specter: If you want to think it over, Judge Gonzales, and respond later --

Gonzales: I do. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Gonzales to Feingold on recommending execution for Carl Johnson, whose lawyer slept through part of his trial:

. . . I -- I don't remember the facts of this particular case. But we may have gone back, our office may have gone back and seen that yes, in fact, this question of ineffective assistance of counsel had been reviewed numerous times in our courts and had found the allegations frivolous.

Feingold: Well, that's -- this is a very famous case. It's hard for me to imagine that you don't know the specifics of it. And it's almost unimaginable to me that a final formal legal memo to the governor would not have included reference to the fact that this man's lawyer slept during the trial.

Specter: Senator Feingold's time is up, but, Judge Gonzales, you may answer the question.

Gonzales: I don't have a response, unless there was a question.

Gonzales to Schumer on the constitutionality of a filibuster when voting on judges:

Senator, I have no views as to whether or not a filibuster is constitutional. We view that as an internal Senate matter --

Schumer: We know the Constitution. We're asking you to be attorney general. Are there any words that say "only majority vote for judges"?

Gonzales: I'm not aware of that, Senator, but I'd -- please give me the opportunity to go back and check my Constitution.

Gonzales to Brownback on telecommunications mergers:

. . . I have not become an expert on those regulations but obviously would talk to the experts in this area and would be happy to visit with you at the appropriate time and share with you my view after becoming more educated about how this process works.

Brownback: Do you have any thoughts in particular on the telecommunications industry? . . .

Gonzales: I do not, Senator. I really would like the opportunity to study this issue more and be happy to visit with you at the appropriate time.

Gonzales to Brownback on the Defense of Marriage Act:

Before offering up a definitive conclusion about that, Senator, I, of course, would want to talk to the lawyers at the Department of Justice. . . .

Gonzales to Feingold on DNA testing of people who have been executed to confirm whether, in fact, they were guilty:

Senator, I think -- that's something that I would want to look at. I hesitate to comment on legislation without looking at the specific language of the legislation. . . .

Gonzales to Durbin on whether it's legal for US personnel to torture people:

. . . I don't believe so, but I'd want to get back to you on that and make sure I don't provide a misleading answer. But I think the answer to that is no, that there are a number of laws that would prohibit that.

Gonzales to Durbin on the disproportionate number of minorities in prison and on death row:

Senator, I have a vague knowledge about the statistics that you refer to. I believe that if we are going to have the death penalty -- and this is consistent with the president's beliefs -- that it should be administered fairly and that only the guilty are punished. If, in fact, the case is is that only minorities -- Hispanics and African Americans -- are receiving the death penalty, it would be hard for me to conclude that that is a fair system. . . .

Durbin: I'm afraid I believe the challenge goes beyond death penalty issues. Drug crimes are another illustration where disproportionately black and brown people are imprisoned over drug crimes . . .

Gonzales: I will commit to you that I will look at that, Senator.

And Gonzales to Kennedy on ghost detainees:

Senator, I really would like the opportunity to re-review this memo. . . .

He's a real think-on-your-feet kinda guy, huh? Was this some sort of a pop quiz or something? Did Fredo get his dates wrong and think the hearing was next month? What up? I just wish Feingold or someone would cut to the chase (e.g., "With all due respect, Mr. Gonzales, are you fucking idiot? Did you review any written documents at all before this hearing or think about your position on any legal matter?"). What a fuckwad.

Anyway, y'all can chew on that for a while. I have a boatload to do here today.