Alberto Gonzales, Professional Liar

Alberto Gonzales is no longer just the guy who made U.S.-sanctioned torture possible...

He is now also the guy who helped make government spying possible.

From Think Progress, this old exchange from his Attorney General confirmation hearings last January:

SEN. FEINGOLD: I — Judge Gonzales, let me ask a broader question. I’m asking you whether in general the president has the constitutional authority, does he at least in theory have the authority to authorize violations of the criminal law under duly enacted statutes simply because he’s commander in chief? Does he — does he have that power?

.....

MR. GONZALES: Senator, if I might respond to that, the president is not above the law. Of course he’s not above the law. But he has an obligation, too. He takes an oath as well. ....

SEN. FEINGOLD: I recognize that, and I tried to make that distinction, Judge, between electing not to enforce as opposed to affirmatively telling people they can do certain things in contravention of the law.

MR. GONZALES: Senator, this president is not — I — it is not the policy or the agenda of this president to authorize actions that would be in contravention of our criminal statutes.

SEN. FEINGOLD: Finally, will you commit to notify Congress if the president makes this type of decision and not wait two years until a memo is leaked about it?

MR. GONZALES: I will to advise the Congress as soon as I reasonably can, yes, sir.

Mr. Gonzales's assurances were, of course, in direct contrast to what was actually happening. According to the President's radio address yesterday in defense of the program states that "The review includes approval by our nation's top legal officials, including the Attorney General and the Counsel to the President", meaning Gonzales gave the thumbs up for it.

Add him to the list of people who should start packing their desks.