Democratic senators say Gonzales should go

By Thomas Ferraro

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales should resign following disclosures of mass firings of federal prosecutors and a report that the FBI improperly obtained information on private citizens, top Democratic senators said on Sunday.

In addition, a key Republican voiced concerns about Gonzales and his embattled Justice Department, but stopped short of calling for his resignation.

"I think we need a change in the top at the Justice Department," said Sen. Charles Schumer of New York, a member of the Democratic leadership.

Sen. Joseph Biden, a Delaware Democrat and a 2008 White House contender, said, "I think we'd be better off if he did (resign), but that's a judgment the president is going to have to make."

Sen. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania, senior Republican on the Judiciary Committee, also said it was matter for President George W. Bush to decide, but added, "I do think there have been lots of problems."

The three made their comments after the recent disclosure of the firings of eight federal prosecutors and a report last week that found the FBI, which is part of the Justice Department, abused its power in snooping on Americans under the anti-terror USA Patriot Act.

Lawmakers have tangled with Gonzales before on matters from easing protection of civil liberties to helping shape policies blamed for contributing to torture of terror suspects.

The White House stood by Gonzales, who was Bush's counsel before moving to the Justice Department in February 2005.

"As you heard from the president yesterday, he has confidence in the attorney general," said White House spokeswoman Dana Perino, with Bush in Bogota, Colombia. "The attorney general has shown leadership by demanding a new and higher level of accountability over the FBI's use of national security letters in terrorism investigations."

Schumer told CBS's "Face the Nation" that Gonzales should go, and issued a statement afterward saying: "From the mishandling of the U.S. attorney firings to the now-documented abuses of the Patriot Act to wiretapping without a warrant to decimating the Civil Rights Division, there has been a continuing pattern of mismanagement and disrespect for the rule of law."

Biden said on CNN's "Late Edition," "I think Gonzales has lost the confidence of the vast majority of the American people."

Specter told CBS more facts need to be known before any conclusions are reached about the fired prosecutors, all Bush appointees.

But at a Senate meeting last week, Specter said, "one day there will be a new attorney general, maybe sooner rather than later."

Two of the former prosecutors said they were fired after receiving improper calls from Republican lawmakers or staffers about ongoing investigations. Another was replaced by a former White House aide, and had warned ousted colleagues that the administration might retaliate if they complained.

The Justice Department has denied any wrongdoing, saying the prosecutors were ousted largely for job-related issues.