In grammar, the subjunctive mood (sometimes referred to as the conjunctive mood) is a verb mood that exists in many languages. It typically expresses wishes, commands (in subordinate clauses), emotion, possibility, judgement, necessity, and statements that are contrary to fact at present. The details of subjunctive use vary from language to language.

Real Life example from Alberto Gonzales interview with NBC's Pete Williams:

I would never have asked for their resignations to interfere with a public corruption case or in any way to interfere with an ongoing investigation.  I just wouldn't do that.  And if you look carefully at the documentations we've provided to Congress, there's no evidence of that.

That's right--he never says he didn't do it. He says he wouldn't. That's not the same thing.

Extra bonus interesting stuff:

Pete Williams: Mr. Attorney General, what is it that you would like people to know about this controversy?

Attorney General Alberto Gonzales: Let me begin with the attacks on my credibility, which really have pained me and my family.  You know, I have grown up — I grew up with nothing but my integrity.  And someday, when I leave this office, I am confident that I will leave with my integrity.  The United States attorneys that were asked — to resign — were appointed by this president, they serve, like me, at the pleasure of the president.

I asked for their resignation not for improper reasons.  I would never have asked for their resignations to interfere with a public corruption case or in any way to interfere with an ongoing investigation. 

Pete Williams never brought up interference with a public corruption case, motherfucker.

but your eyes say: "folding next Friday night about 4:30 when a deal for testimony is announced." The first crow is for the true believers.  Once set as supporters by his foot-stomping decider talk, they won't convert back unless they physically are in the room when the President admits wrongdoing.

Oh yeah, its called a smoking gun.

Fired San Diego U.S. attorney Carol Lam notified the Justice Department that she intended to execute search warrants on a high-ranking CIA official as part of a corruption probe the day before a Justice Department official sent an e-mail that said Lam needed to be fired, U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein said Sunday.

Feinstein, D-Calif., said the timing of the e-mail suggested that Lam's dismissal may have been connected to the corruption probe.

Now we are talking.  This is the real deal baby.  And just the tip of the iceberg.  Let's put our guesses on the table.  Rove with the all-out program to win the 2006 elections using the U.S. Attorneys in the study with the lead pipe.

In rating the prosecutors, Mr. Sampson factored in whether they “exhibited loyalty to the president and attorney general,”

Yup.

Vice President Cheney in a speech to the CPAC convention yesterday:

"If our coalition withdrew before Iraqis could defend themselves, radical factions would battle for dominance. The violence would likely spread throughout the country and be very difficult to contain. Having tasted victory in Iraq, the (militants) would look for new missions. Many would head for Afghanistan to fight alongside the Taliban," Cheney said.

He said others would head for capitals across the Middle East and work to undermine moderate governments. "Still others would find their targets and victims in other countries on other continents. Such chaos and mounting danger does not have to occur. It is, however, the enemy's objective," Cheney said.

Now I could be wrong, but it seems to me that what he describes as likely to happen if we leave Iraq, is already happening RIGHT NOW!!! while we're still in Iraq.  I'm sorry but the genie is out of the bottle and things will probably only get worse in the years to come, not better.  I don't know why but somehow we're suppose to keep taking this man seriously?