Harriet Miers: Backs Bush-Gonzales, Resigns

Harriet Miers and George Walker Bush

Miers: Gonzales shouldn't lose job because of firings

Former White House counsel's role in incident not clear

08:46 AM CDT on Thursday, April 19, 2007
TODD J. GILLMAN / The Dallas Morning News
tgillman@dallasnews.com
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/texassouthwest/stories/DN-miers_19nat.ART.State.Edition1.431dfb9.html

WASHINGTON – Harriet Miers, who recently left her job as White House counsel and returned to Dallas, said Wednesday that Attorney General Al Gonzales should keep his job despite allegations he bungled the firing of eight U.S. attorneys.

"I certainly think the attorney general should continue to serve," she said in a rare interview on the day she announced her next career move, a return to partnership at the law firm Locke Liddell & Sapp.

Mr. Gonzales will testify today to the Senate Judiciary Committee. He will try to dispel complaints that he was less than candid to lawmakers about the firings and that prosecutors were removed to make way for Bush loyalists or because of pressure stemming from politically tinged investigations.

"I'm sure the attorney general is prepared and equipped to respond fully to questions he'll be asked," Ms. Miers said.

Her role in the firings remains murky. As White House counsel, she initially suggested that Mr. Bush replace all 93 U.S. attorneys after his re-election, and she received copies of correspondence from Mr. Gonzales' underlings as the list was narrowed. But she hasn't spoken publicly about her input. And the White House is resisting demands for her testimony from Democratic-controlled congressional panels, citing executive privilege.

"Talk to the White House about those issues," she said.

In addition to a return to law practice, Ms. Miers wouldn't rule out a role running the Bush presidential library; Southern Methodist University – alma mater of Ms. Miers, the first lady and many others in the president's circle – is finalizing a deal with former Commerce Secretary Don Evans.

"I'll leave that to Don Evans and others that are working with the [library] foundation. ... I'm obviously a big fan and supporter of the president and Mrs. Bush and am very willing to serve if there's issues where I can be helpful," she said.

Harriet Miers returns to Texas law firm

http://washingtontimes.com/upi/20070420-111410-1410

Published: April 20, 2007 at 12:14 PM

DALLAS April 20 (UPI) -- Harriet Miers, former White House counsel and U.S. Supreme Court nominee, is returning to the Texas law firm she left for Washington six years ago.

Miers rejoins Locke Liddell & Sapp as a partner on May 1, associated with the firm's public policy and litigation group. She will be based in Washington, Dallas and Austin, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported Friday.

Jerry Clements, the current managing partner, said the firm is not concerned about possible political fallout from Miers' work at the White House or as a Supreme Court nominee when conservatives questioned her credentials.

Clements said that was viewed as "nothing more than politics