UPDATED: "Political" and "Performance Related"

Via TPM Muckraker, Kyle Sampson, in his opening statement to the Senate Committee on the Judiciary just now:

Thus the distinction between ‘political’ and ‘performance related’ reasons for removing a United States attorney is, in my view, largely artificial.

The chief aide to Attorney General Alberto Gonzales is right now saying to the Senate that, well, you just saw it. But if there's not difference between "political" and "performance related" firings, then why, on January 19, did Gonzales say to this same committee:

I would never, ever make a change in a United States attorney for political reasons or if it would in any way jeopardize an ongoing serious investigation. I just would not do it."

Recap:

Mr. Gonzales to the Senate: "I would never fire an AG for political reasons."

Mr. Gonzales' chief aide, to the Senate: "Firing an AG for political reasons is fine."

Which one is it, guys?

UPDATE: From commenter RobbyLove at TPM Muckraker:

Ok. Now wait a minute.

First he says that these USAs were near the end of their 4 year terms and that's why they were considering them.

NOW he says they were selected by asking other people who they felt were underperforming.

Someone needs to pin him down on that.

Yup.