WASHINGTON, D.C. – Neo con supporters of President George W. Bush are not happy about the possibility that he may select Attorney General Alberto Gonzales as his favored candidate to replace pivotal Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor. According to critics, Gonzales is simply not conservative enough, potentially not holding a hard enough line against abortion or affirmative action.Bush has not committed himself to any one potential nominee, although he has indicated an interest in placing an Hispanic on the high court. Although he has promised to interview prospects once he’s had an opportunity to study potential replacements, the president indicated that he is none too pleased with criticisms of the Attorney General.

In an appeal to groups running anti-Gonzales ads in an attempt to energize supporters of a more conservative Supreme Court, the president asked them to “tone down the heated rhetoric.”

“Al Gonzales is a great friend of mine,” Bush states. “When a friend gets attacked, I don’t like it.”

Gonzales recently signed new regulations in support of 18 U.S.C. § 2257, which targets producers of adult entertainment with burdensome record-keeping rules.