The Political Whore

The stunning story recounted by former Deputy Attorney General James B. Comey in his Senate testimony today about current Attorney General Alberto Gonzalez is not only yet another reason Gonzo must go: It is a line-by-line reading of the hospital scene in The Godfather where Michael Corleone must protect the shot-up Vito from another attempt on his life.

The Bush Administration is finally revealed as the dysfunctional, lying bunch that we all suspected, cast in this drama as the Barzini family hitmen rushing to the bedside of the ailing then-Attorney General John Ashcroft. (OK, raise your hands if you ever thought that Ashcroft would appear to be the rational, compassionate player in any movie. Anyone? Thought not.)

The New York Times writes how Comer and FBI Director Robert Mueller were among those who rushed to Ashcroft’s hospital bed, sirens and lights on, to short-circuit Gonzo and Chief O’ Staff Andy Card’s attempt to get the ailing Ashcroft  to extend Bush’s illegal NSA domestic surveillance program:

Although Mrs. Ashcroft had banned visitors and telephone calls to her husband’s hospital room, she had just gotten a call from the White House telling her that Mr. Card and Mr. Gonzales were on their way to see her husband, Mr. Comey testified. “I have some recollection that the call was from the president himself, but I don’t know that for sure,” Mr. Comey said.

He said his security detail then sped him to the hospital with sirens blaring and emergency lights flashing, while he telephoned the director of the F.B.I., Robert S. Mueller 3d, from the car. Mr. Mueller shared his sense of urgency: “He said, ‘I’ll meet you at the hospital right now,’ ” Mr. Comey testified.

When he got to the hospital, Mr. Comey recalled, “I got out of the car and ran up — literally, ran up the stairs with my security detail.”

“What was your concern?” asked Senator Charles E. Schumer, Democrat of New York, who was the chairman of today’s committee session.

“I was concerned that, given how ill I knew the attorney general was, that there might be an effort to ask him to overrule me when he was in no condition to do that,” Mr. Comey replied.

Comey arrived in time.

No word on whether Mueller was forced to stand out in front of the hospital with his overcoat collar up and hand in his pocket as if he had a gun to repel Gonzo and Card:

ENZO

If there is trouble, I stay here to help you. For your father — for your father

MICHAEL

Alright… Listen, wait for me outside in front of the hospital. Alright? I’ll be out in a minute.

Go ahead…

ENZO

Okay… okay.

[Michael returns to the Don's room, at his bedside. The nurse is still in the room]

MICHAEL

Just lie here, Pop. I’ll take care of you now. I’m with you now. I’m with you…

[Michael kisses the Don's hand; the Don smiles, with a tear in his eye. Michael

leaves to meet Enzo outside of the hospital]

MICHAEL (grabbing and tossing the flowers that Enzo is still holding)

Get rid of these

(then, as Michael turns Enzo’s collar up)

Come ‘ere… Put your hand in your pocket like you have a gun. You’ll be alright.

(then, after he sighs)

You’ll be okay…

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