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The Rap on GonzalesEmily Bazelon answers your questions.

Posted Thursday, April 19, 2007, at 6:47 PM ET

Emily Bazelon was online at the Washingtonpost.com on Thursday, April 19, to discuss testimony by Attorney General Alberto Gonzales before the Senate judiciary committee. An unedited transcript of the chat follows. Slate tracked the hearings at "The Gonzales Q&A."

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Emily Bazelon: They're trying, I think, but most of them aren't masterful questioners. It would be a lot more effective if they chose one or two senators to represent each party on the committee. But that would mean giving up TV time. So not likely.

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Las Cruces, N.M.: Is there any sense that the seven U.S. Attorneys either will be restored or replaced soon? Word here in New Mexico is that the U.S. Attorney office is in chaos. Given that we have 22 Indian reservations/pueblos here, chaos means that felony cases -- such as domestic violence and child abuse -- are at risk, not just drugs and interstate fraud.

Emily Bazelon: A very good point to raise. The fired folk aren't coming back--that would be a concession that the firings were wrong, which the administration isn't prepared to make. But the problem of these leaderless, rudderless offices meandering about in the meantime is a real one.

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Towson, Md.: They should put these hearings on in prime time so working folks who are interested can see the stumbling, bumbling AG. I know the networks won't cover them in prime time, but some 7 p.m. ET after-dinner entertainment might be welcomed by some.

Emily Bazelon: TiVo?

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Bend, Ore.: If Alberto Gonzales resigns, would David Iglesias be a viable candidate for Attorney General?

Emily Bazelon: I fear not. He has turned on the Republicans, and while the Democrats have much to thank him for, he's not one of them. I'd say he's bound for the private sector.

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Edison, N.J.: Why do you call Georgia Thompson a Democratic employee? I read somewhere she was appointed by a previous Republican governor and was civil service. I don't know if that's true.

Emily Bazelon: I meant that she was working for a Democratic administration--Gov. Jim Doyle's administration, in Wisconsin.

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Chicago: Every time Hatch reminds Gonzales that he supervises more than 110,000 employees, I'm downing a shot.

Emily Bazelon: Hatch is definitely getting the unctuous award today.

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Seattle: What do you expect the final tally will be on questions where both Gonzales and Sampson tell Congress, "I don't recall," in both testimonies? And how will or has Goodling's possible immunity deal play into the questions?

Emily Bazelon: Let's see, I'll bet ... 212. You know I expected them to ask about Goodling, but I'm not sure they have yet.

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Washington: So, is Fredo doing enough to survive?

Emily Bazelon: This, of course, is the big question of the day. I'd say not. White House aides are already trashing him on CNN. He sounds defensive and whiny, as one reader wrote in. And most of all, we have the Gonzo-Meter set at 92 at Slate this week. So it's time for him to go already!

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Emily Bazelon: Thanks for the smart and incisive questions, everyone. It's been a pleasure talking about this with you. Keep counting the "I don't recalls" and enjoy the rest of your afternoon.

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