Letter to Senators Warner and Allen re: Alberto Gonzales
November 15, 2004 Letter to Senators Warner and Allen
PO Box 8208
Alexandria, VA 22306-8208
November 15, 2004
The Honorable John William Warner
United States Senate
225 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510-4601
The Honorable George F. Allen
United States Senate
204 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510-4604
Dear Senators Warner and Allen:
I am writing to urge you to vote “no” on the confirmation of Alberto Gonzales unless he is able to answer a number of pressing questions.
As White House Counsel, Mr. Gonzales was the legal architect of a number of policies intended to bolster executive privilege and secrecy, increase the power of the presidency, and rationalize torture and the exemption form international treaties such as the Geneva Conventions. What’s more, as a member of the Texas Supreme Court Mr. Gonzales demonstrated that he is all to willing to participate in investigations and decisions in which reasonable people could suspect a conflict of interest.
In order to assure the American public that he is above reproach, Mr. Gonzales should address the following questions.
1) Do you think there are circumstances in which torture is legal?
2) Would you insist on strict compliance with the Geneva Conventions?
3) Would you recuse yourself from the Valerie Plame investigation?
4) Would you recuse yourself from all Enron-related matters?
5) Would you recuse yourself from all Halliburton-related matters?
6) Why didn’t you give Gov. Bush all the facts about Death Penalty cases?
I look forward to hearing how you will address this important issue.
Sincerely,
James Landrith
Sent: Thu 1/27/2005 5:15 PM
From: senator_allen@allen.senate.gov
To: james@jameslandrith.com
January 27, 2005
Dear James:
Thank you for contacting me regarding President Bush’s nomination of Alberto Gonzales to become the next Attorney General of the United States. I appreciate your concerns and value to opportunity to respond.
I applaud President Bush’s nomination of Alberto Gonzalez. He is the embodiment of the American dream, a man whose hard work, legal sense and intellect have already lifted him to some of the highest positions of trust in our nation. I look forward to his confirmation hearings and a fair vote before the U.S. Senate. I am confident that he will make an outstanding U.S. Attorney General.
Once again, I appreciate you contacting me regarding this matter and hope you will not hesitate to contact me again about issues important to you. If you would like to receive an e-mail newsletter about my initiatives to improve America, please sign up on my website (http://allen.senate.gov). It is an honor to serve you in the United States Senate, and I look forward to working with you to make Virginia and America a better place to live, learn, work and raise a family.
With warm regards, I remain
Sincerely,
Senator George Allen