I know things seem really discouraging, and I've said in the past that the Gonzo-meter stuff is silly, and now you appear to agree with me. But things aren't over yet. The Judiciary committee finally issued their subpoenas, so we're on to the next step, finally.

After this, the White House will fight the subpoenas. If they win, Gonzales is safe through 2008. But if they lose, they will try to negotiate with the Democrats to limit testimony and try to keep Rove out of jail. That's when Gonzales will become a bargaining chip.

I don't know how long the appeals process will take to play out. I suspect things will be done in a few months. So plan to revive the Gonzo-meter in the fall.

I think there's something to jonawebb's idea even if it sounds a little like a wacko conspiracy theory.

Firing Gonzales was not going to stop the investigations. So now the most damaging hearings are out of the way for Gonzo. The White House is mostly safe if the principals hang together, but there is still the possibility of a lucky shot that could bring down Rove or even the president.

So the Democrats might judge there isn't much to be gained by going forward and the Bush administration might judge that the chance of an unexpected hit was serious enough to sacrifice Gonzales for if they can get the Democrats to lay off.

Neither side can look like they actually made the deal so maybe that will be enough to stop it, still I think it's a deal both sides might like to make.

Don't give up the ghost yet SLATE! If the Congress gets serious and refuses to confirm any more Justice Department officials or even refuses to fund or minimally fund the DoJ until the AG goes, then the effort may get traction.

I used to discount wild conspracy theories. Then the Bush II administration went into office.