Guv explains why he hasn’t called for Gonzales ouster

Gov. Bill Richardson says he hasn’t joined other Democrats and a number of Republicans in calling for the firing of U.S. Attorney Alberto Gonzales because they’re both Hispanic.

Richardson’s comments were published today in The Hill.

“The only reason I’m not there is because he’s Hispanic, and I know him and like him,” The Hill quoted Richardson as saying. “It’s because he’s Hispanic. I’m honest. I want to give him the benefit of the doubt.”

Gonzales has been under fire for a number of issues, but the most prominent has been his poor handling of the firing of eight U.S. attorneys late last year and statements he has made publicly about the situation that contradict those of Justice Department staffers. Gonzales is set to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee Thursday morning, and many say he will lose additional support and, perhaps, his job if he doesn’t satisfy congressional investigators looking into the firings.

Today’s comments were Richardson’s first on the topic. His silence has been notable because at the center of the controversy is former U.S. Attorney David Iglesias of New Mexico, who alleges he was fired because he refused pressure from two Republican members of Congress to speed indictments in a public corruption case in time to sway voters in the November 2006 election.

Richardson told The Hill that Gonzales is “really in quicksand” and that he’s disappointed he “thinks of himself as the president’s lawyer” and not the attorney of the American people.

Richardson said he’s close to calling for Gonzales’ ouster if he doesn’t address concerns.