A Senate Republican has joined growing calls for the dismissal of Attorney General Alberto Gonzales over the firing of eight U.S. attorneys. In an interview with the Associated Press, Republican Senator John Sununu of New Hampshire said: “We need to have a strong, credible attorney general that has the confidence of Congress and the American people. Alberto Gonzales can’t fill that role.” Sununu’s comments came hours after President Bush defended Gonzales’ performance. Bush also tried to explain his role in the controversy. The president admitted to discussing the prosecutors with Gonzales but said he didn’t mention individual names. Meanwhile in Washington, White House Counsel Fred Fielding met with lawmakers to discuss possible subpoenas of top administration officials, including chief presidential adviser Karl Rove. Emails and documents released this week show the White House and the Justice Department began discussing firing the prosecutors more than two years ago.