For the first time ever, Alberto Gonzales spoke and answered questions without that smirk on his face. He’s a liar and he needs to go. He claims responsibility for whatever went wrong, yet blamed the whole thing on Kyle Sampson. But this press conference was great. The man was squirming in his lies. It was quite apparent that he’s in deep shit and he knows it. I can’t tell you how good it felt to see that weasel squirm and to have that evil smirk wiped right off his face. I’ve been waiting a long time for that! Now let’s get rid of him all together.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Attorney General Alberto Gonzales abruptly canceled travel plans Tuesday amid growing calls for his ouster over the firings of eight federal prosecutors during a White House-directed housecleaning of U.S. attorneys.

Gonzales also accepted the resignation of his top aide, Kyle Sampson, who authorities said failed to brief other senior Justice Department officials of his discussions about the firings with then-White House counsel Harriet Miers. Miers resigned in January.

Sen. Charles E. Schumer, who is leading a Senate investigation of the firings, called for the second time in three days for Gonzales to step down. (Watch how a senator says Gonzales has more allegiance to President Bush than Americans’ legal rights )

Additionally, Democratic Party Chairman Howard Dean said Gonzales “ought to be shown the door — he ought not to be in this administration. We have got to end corruption in our government. It is not OK to be corrupt.”

Gonzales was expected to respond to the criticism as early as Tuesday afternoon. Sampson declined comment.

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