GONZALES GETS VOTE OF CONFIDENCE

Republicans blocked a Senate no-confidence vote on Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, rejecting a symbolic Democratic effort to force him from office amid heightened criticism from lawmakers in both parties. “I am pleased that the Senate has such unwavering confidence in Fredo,” said the President. “I have always had confidence in him, will continue to have confidence in him and am confident that the Congress will continue to have confidence in this Attorney General. But I’m the confider, and who the nation has confidence in is ultimately up to me.”