March 16 (Bloomberg) -- The Bush administration today backed away from its assertion that former White House aide Harriet Miers originated the idea of firing all 93 U.S. attorneys.

White House spokesman Tony Snow told reporters there is some doubt about whether Miers was the first official who raised the issue of replacing the prosecutors at the start of President George W. Bush's second term in 2005. Yesterday, e-mails disclosed that Bush's top political adviser, Karl Rove, had inquired about replacing the U.S. attorneys as early as Jan. 6, 2005, a month before then-White House Counsel Alberto Gonzales became attorney general.

``It has been described as her idea, but whether it is -- I don't know where -- I don't want to try to vouch for origination,'' said Snow, who had previously attributed the idea to Miers. ``At this juncture, people have hazy memories.''

Three days ago White House counselor Dan Bartlett also said that Miers ``was floating the idea'' and ``it was quickly rejected.''

This week's release of e-mails showing White House discussions with the Justice Department fueled the political controversy over the firings of eight U.S. attorneys and eroded support among Senate Republicans for Gonzales. Democrats have charged that the firings amounted to political interference with law enforcement.

`Not a Good Idea'

Today, Snow also said Rove ``had a recollection of Harriet's having raised it, and his recollection is that he dismissed it as not a good idea.''

White House Counsel Fred Fielding, meantime, delayed until March 20 his response to a request by two congressional committees to question Rove and other White House officials. Fielding had previously told lawmakers that they would have his answer by today.

Michigan Democrat John Conyers, chairman of the House Judiciary Committees, said he will schedule a vote next week on issuing subpoenas to compel the testimony of Rove, his deputy, Scott Jennings, Miers and her former deputy, William Kelley.

``Allegations that our criminal justice system has been undermined by partisan politics and that Congress was deceived'' are ``among the most serious this Congress will consider and we expect immediate answers,'' Conyers said in a statement.

Needing More Time

Presidential spokesman Tony Fratto said the administration needs more time to resolve issues of executive-branch confidentiality raised by the request.

Gonzales is scheduled to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee on April 17.

Republican Senators Chuck Hagel of Nebraska and Norm Coleman of Minnesota said yesterday their confidence in Gonzales has been shaken. Gordon Smith of Oregon believes it would be better ``to have an attorney general they could have more confidence in,'' said his spokesman, R.C. Hammond.

A newly released White House e-mail shows that Rove was involved in discussions about firing the prosecutors as early as Jan. 6, 2005. Another e-mail, dated Jan. 9, 2005, said Gonzales also discussed the matter while he was still White House counsel.

Fratto said the e-mails don't ``directly contradict'' the administration's version of events.

Democrats yesterday seized on the revelation about Rove, noting the administration's earlier assertion it was Miers who had initiated the idea of firing all the U.S. attorneys.

`Deep Concerns'

Coleman, who faces a tough re-election campaign next year, said in an interview he had ``deep concerns'' about whether Gonzales should stay. ``This situation has been handled abysmally,'' he said.

Smith of Oregon is up for re-election next year, as is John Sununu of New Hampshire, the first Republican to call outright for Gonzales to step down.

Today, Representative Paul Gillmor of Ohio also called for Gonzales to be replaced. Gonzales ``has become a lightning rod and has distracted'' from the Justice Department's mission, Gillmor said in a statement.

Bush has ``no such plan'' to dismiss Gonzales, Snow said today. ``He continues on his job.''

Gonzales announced the appointment of a veteran federal prosecutor, Chuck Rosenberg, to be his new chief of staff and replace D. Kyle Sampson, who coordinated the firings with the White House and resigned this week.

Rosenberg is the U.S. attorney in Alexandra, Virginia, and also had served as an adviser to former Attorney General John Ashcroft. He will assist Gonzales in ``managing policy activities and department priority areas,'' the Justice Department said in a statement.

To contact the reporters on this story: James Rowley in Washington at jarowley@bloomberg.net; Robert Schmidt in Washington at rschmidt5@bloomberg.net.

Last Updated: March 16, 2007 17:57 EDT