Gonzales the moderate(?)

Buzzflash makes a shrewd observation on the disagreement on the right concerning the potential nomination of Alberto "Torture Memo" Gonzales. If a big stink is made by the theocrats along the lines that Big Al isn't conservative enough, then he gets to look moderate-- and the GOP gets to again shout "obstructionism!" and "up or down vote!" when Gonzo doesn't get a rubber stamp. Could be. And expect another full-on GOP assault if the Dems try to use their only defense, the filibuster. "Compromise" notwithstanding, the Dems have to block unacceptable nominees. This is too important for us to cave on, and the public will be on our side.

"Al Gonzales is a great friend of mine," Bush told USA Today. "When a friend gets attacked, I don't like it."

The president appealed to special interest groups running ads and mobilizing supporters for the anticipated fight over the Supreme Court nominee to "tone down the heated rhetoric."

Some congressional Republicans were cautioning against Gonzales, a close friend of Bush whom they believe isn't steadfastly conservative on issues like affirmative action and abortion.