One of the less covered aspects of the Alberto Gonzales fiasco is how it is affecting Hispanics. Many Hispanics that had political differences with Gonzales were nonetheless proud and encouraged to see him rise from humble beginnings to become the head of the Department of Justice. You might remember how Bill Richardson was reluctant to call for Gonzales’s resignation.
Presidential candidate and New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson (D) said Monday the reason he has not called for the removal of Attorney General Alberto Gonzales is that the two both have Hispanic backgrounds.
Richardson, in an interview with The Hill, said he is “pretty close” to making such a call, but added that he is reluctant to do so before Gonzales’s Senate testimony despite the high-profile involvement of New Mexico in the U.S. attorneys scandal.
[Richardson says] “The only reason I’m not there is because he’s Hispanic, and I know him and like him… It’s because he’s Hispanic. I’m honest… I want to give him the benefit of the doubt.”
Sen. Ken Salazar (D-CO) only called for Gonzales’s resignation yesterday. And he expressed some of the same sentiments.
Salazar said that he admired Gonzales’ history as someone who grew up in the projects and went on to rise to the nation’s top law enforcement post.
“I arrive at the decision with a heavy heart and disappointment,” Salazar said. “I very much wanted him to succeed as attorney general.”
In general, I find this solidarity based on race to be a little disturbing. I understand it in an abstract sense, but it’s hard to see how anyone with a moral compass can consider Alberto Gonzales their friend. But I can also see how Hispanics took pride and found hope in Gonzales’s successes, despite political differences. And it’s sad to see their disappointment. Gonzales has let a lot of people down.