Bush calls Gonzales debate ‘pure political theater’

President Bush Monday told members of Congress to lay off Alberto Gonzales, drawing a rebuke from senators leading the call for the attorney general’s resignation.

{mosads}“I, frankly, view what’s taking place in Washington today as pure political theater,” Bush told reporters when asked about looming no-confidence votes for Gonzales. “And it is this kind of political theater that has caused the American people to lose confidence in how Washington operates.”

Bush reaffirmed that the attorney general continues to enjoy his confidence.

“I stand by Al Gonzales, and I would hope that people would be more sober in how they address these important issues,” the president said. “And they ought to get the job done of passing legislation, as opposed to figuring how to be actors on the political theater stage.”

Bush’s statement irked Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), a leading critic of Gonzales.

“Congress has a right — and even an obligation — to express its views when things are this serious,” Schumer said in response to Bush’s comments. “The president should understand that while he has confidence in Attorney General Gonzales, very few others do.”