WPTV

Reported by WPTV Staff

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Bush administration officials say Attorney General Alberto Gonzales has resigned. A press conference has been scheduled for 10:30 a.m. EDT.

Gonzales has been under fire from congressional Democrats. One official says Gonzales submitted a resignation letter last Friday.

A senior Justice Department official says Solicitor General Paul Clement is a likely temporary replacement. He'd take over for Gonzales until a permanent replacement is found.

Democrats calling for Gonzales' departure:

Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV), Senate Majority Leader: "shortsighted," "arrogant"

Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Vice-Chairman of Senate Democratic Conference, chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and member of the Senate Judiciary Committee: "doesn't accept or doesn't understand that he is no longer just the president's lawyer," "carrying out the political wishes of the president" (first member of either chamber to call for ouster)

Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee: "I don't think he can be effective"

Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA): firings were "appalling"

Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY): "buck should stop somewhere"

Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT): "egregious lapses in judgment"

Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), member of the Senate Judiciary Committee: "nation is not well served by this"

Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-MA), member of the Senate Judiciary Committee: "his resignation is long overdue"

Sen. John Kerry (D-MA): "there must be accountability from the top down"

Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-AR): "serious breach between the Justice Department and Congress"

Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL): "lost his credibility"

Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL): "subverted justice to promote a political agenda"

Sen. Mark Pryor (D-AR): "when the Attorney General lies to a United States Senator ... it's time for that Attorney General to go"

Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), member of the Senate Judiciary Committee: "he had a hard sell to make to me, and he didn't make it"

Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Speaker of the House of Representatives:"has lost the trust of the American people"

Republicans calling for Gonzales' departure:

Sen. John E. Sununu (R-NH), first Republican to call for ouster: "If I were the president, I would fire the attorney general"

Sen. Gordon Smith (R-OR): ouster "would be helpful"

Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK), member of the Senate Judiciary Committee: told Gonzales at hearing that "the best way to put this behind us is your resignation"; had earlier described affair as "idiocy"

Sen. John McCain (R-AZ): "very disappointed in his performance", "it would be best for Gonzales to quit"

Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL), member of Senate Judiciary Committee: "If he and the President decide that he cannot be an effective leader moving forward, then he should resign." (but later voted against cloture on "no confidence" resolution)

Sen. Norm Coleman (R-MN): "deeply concerned"

Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA), ranking Republican on Senate Judiciary Committee: called failure to step down "bad for the Justice Department"

Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-NE): "lost the moral authority to lead"

Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA): "the president should have an attorney general who is less a personal friend and more professional in his approach"

Rep. Paul Gillmor (R-OH): "lightning rod"

Rep. Vern Ehlers (R-MI): "he's hurt the President by what he's doing ... he's damaged himself and the President"

Rep. Jon Porter (R-NV): "egregiously mishandled," "we need to restore confidence"

Rep. Lee Terry (R-NE): "I trusted him before, but I can't now"

Rep. Adam Putnam (R-FL), House Republican Conference Chairman, 1st top House Republican to call for ouster: "time for fresh leadership"

In addition, several Republicans have been critical of Gonzales, while not actually calling for his resignation or firing:

Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), member of Senate Judiciary Committee: "the way this has been handled has been deplorable" (later voted cloture on "no confidence" resolution)

Sen. John Ensign (R-NV), chairman of National Republican Senatorial Committee: "incompetence," "they blew it" (later voted against cloture on "no confidence" resolution)

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), member of Senate Judiciary Committee: "some things ... just don't add up" (later voted against cloture on "no confidence" resolution)

Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME): "I do not think he has served the president well"

Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI), member of House Judiciary Committee: "could die by a thousand cuts"

Republican Senators Trent Lott and Orrin Hatch have expressed support for Gonzales, although Hatch conceded that Gonzales had "bungled."

Those calling for Gonzales' resignation have included Presidential contenders from both parties: Republican Senator McCain, Democratic New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, and Senators Biden, Clinton, Dodd, Edwards, and Obama. Source: Wikipedia