You know what’s weird? The month of April is almost over, and both Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division CEO Joseph Lee and U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales still have their jobs.

If you think about their situations, as I was doing last night, there are an awful lot of parallels.

Both are high-profile bureaucrats accused of misusing their offices for political gain, Gonzales for his role (or lack thereof) in the allegedly politically-motivated firings of eight federal prosecutors and Lee for his role (or lack thereof) in allowing City Councilman Edmund Ford to avoid paying his utility bills.

Both Lee and Gonzales have recently endured hearings with testy lawmakers. Both are under pressure to resign. And both are protected by ornery chief executives who are typically resistant to political pressure.

So here’s a quick comparison of the two:

Memorable quotes in their own defense

Gonzales: “The notion that there was something that was improper that happened here is simply not supported.”

Lee: “There was no active intent to treat him (Ford) differently.”

Committee stonewalling tactics

Gonzales: Said 71 times that he couldn’t recall details about the firings

Lee: Refused to answer questions directly from the City Council’s attorneys

Hecklers

Gonzales: As he left a congressional committee room following his testimony, protesters serenaded him with chants of: “Na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, Gon-za-les, goodbye!”

Lee: Several citizens, including CA columnist Wendi Thomas, have jokingly suggested that utility customers request to sign up for the “Edmund Ford payment plan.”

What the critics say:

Regarding Gonzales: “Whatever he has to say I will take with more than a grain of salt” – Sen. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania

Regarding Lee: “In order to restore confidence in Memphis Light, Gas and Water, I just think it would be a good move for Mr. Lee to step down and let us move forward, let the mayor bring someone else to us for that position” – Councilman E.C. Jones of Frayser

What the boss says:

Regarding Gonzales: “The attorney general continues to have the president’s full confidence” – White House spokeswoman Dana Perino

Regarding Lee: “I Willie W. Herenton, mayor of this great city, will not participate in a political, media witch hunt that has been focused on the tenure of Joseph Lee” – Herenton

Prospects for survival:

Gonzales: To early to tell

Lee: Looking better, since a majority of council members couldn’t agree on the best way to call for his resignation