Republicans laud Gonzales farewell

WASHINGTON, Aug. 28 (UPI) -- The resignation of U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales is being welcomed not only by Democrats but some Republicans as well.

Numerous senior Republicans issued statements after the resignation was announced Monday by the White House, including both U.S. senators from Maine, CNN reported Tuesday.

Sen. Susan Collins called the resignation "a positive step forward" for the Department of Justice.

"I am hopeful that the president will name a strong successor who will begin to restore confidence in the department," she said.

Sen. Olympia Snow said the resignation "comes well after the American people had lost confidence in his ability to continue serving in his capacity as head of the Justice Department."

However, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky stood by Gonzales, saying he was squeezed out by the "poisonous partisanship that we've sadly grown accustomed to over the past eight months," the report said.

Among the troubles Gonzales faced was the Bush administration's government wiretapping program and the firings of several U.S. attorneys last year amid allegations they were politically motivated.

"He has resigned for basically unproven charges. This is not a high water mark for the Congress," said Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas.