It’s no secret that I am no fan of Gonzales. I think he’s been a disaster in the making from the get-go. It’s also worth noting that Sampson is, I believe, the last or near-last holdover from the Ashcroft years. I know Ashcroft is supposed to be the devil incarnate but he was by every measure a better AG, politically, professionally and philosophically. Obviously, I have no evidence for this — yet — but I wouldn’t be surprised if this turns out to be Gonzales once again trying to shift all the blame to Ashcroft and his crowd by hanging Sampson out to dry. Time will tell.