Can’t Remember?

The modus operandi of Bush appointees before Senate confirmation hearings is often to simply say they can’t remember details of incidents that may damage their chances of appointment. Note how many times Alberto “See No Evil” Gonzales claims he can’t remember something that happened only a few months ago.

[U]nder often tough questioning from Democrats and some Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee, Gonzales said he could not recall key details of his involvement in the production of an August 2002 memo that narrowly defined the tactics that constitute torture.

…Gonzales testified that while he disagreed with portions of the Justice Department memo, he could not recall whether he conveyed those objections to other government lawyers at the time.

…Gonzales said he could not remember who had requested the legal guidance on permissible interrogation tactics -- many officials have said it was the CIA -- but he acknowledged under questioning that high-pressure interrogation techniques were discussed in White House meetings at which he was present.

…"I don't recall today whether I was in agreement with all the analysis….

…Gonzales declined to answer many questions and said he could not recall details in relation to many others, prompting complaints from some Democrats on the committee.

But Gonzales had another strategy for dealing with questions that made him squirm.

In response to a question from Sen. Richard J. Durbin (D-Ill.) about whether U.S. personnel could legally engage in torture under any circumstances, Gonzales said: "I don't believe so, but I'd want to get back to you on that and make sure I don't provide a misleading answer."

Why worry? If he approves torture as the AG, when later asked about his involvement he can just say “I can’t remember.”