Contact: Bob Sturm, 703-396-6974; after 6 PM Eastern, Vi Shields, 703-906-6542

MANASSAS, Va., Aug. 27 /Christian Newswire/ -- The following is a statement by Richard A. Viguerie, author of Conservatives Betrayed: How George W. Bush and Other Big Government Republicans Hijacked the Conservative Cause (Bonus Books, 2006), regarding the resignation of Attorney General Alberto Gonzales:

"With the resignation of Alberto Gonzales, President Bush has an historic opportunity to recover from some of his self-inflicted injuries. He can do this by nominating a principled conservative to be the next Attorney General. Confront the Democrats, don't 'reach out' to them as liberal commentators are urging.

"For decades, polls have shown that the American public takes conservative positions on judicial and legal issues and appointments. If Democrats refuse to confirm a true conservative as Attorney General, that is an issue the Republican presidential candidate--whoever he is--can carry all the way into the White House.

"Confronting the Democrats and rallying the conservative base is also a way for Bush to raise his approval ratings from the 30s, perhaps even into the 50s. And that would help him and Congressional Republicans on their entire agenda.

"To do this, he has to ignore the siren calls of the liberal media. It took less than five minutes after Gonzales's resignation speech for CNN to suggest that this gives the President a chance to 'reach out to Democrats.' And less than 15 minutes after Gonzales's resignation speech, MSNBC put Democratic strategist Richard Goodwin on the air to suggest that Bush pick 'a moderate Republican or even a Democrat. That would not be a bad idea at this point.'

"Mr. Bush: That's not a bad idea if you're pushing a liberal Democratic agenda. It's a terrible idea if you want to improve Republican chances for 2008 and retrieve your legacy. The Democrats will not be appeased by anything you do, so do the right thing and give the American people an opportunity to support a conservative as Attorney General.

"Exactly four months ago--April 27, 2007--I warned of the dire consequences for the GOP of not firing Gonzales. Well, President Bush just circled the wagons, and the Congressional Republicans did nothing. And today, Gonzales is leaving. What has been gained by dragging out the agony for four months? Nothing.

"Confronting the Democrats with a highly qualified, truly conservative nominee for Attorney General is the only way to repair some of this damage."

NOTE to EDITORS: Richard A. Viguerie pioneered ideological and political direct mail and has been called "the funding father of the conservative movement" for his role in helping build dozens of conservative organizations. He is the author of Conservatives Betrayed--How George W. Bush and Other Big Government Republicans Hijacked the Conservative Cause (Bonus Books, 2006). www.conservativesbetrayed.com