Mukasey Vote by Senate Committee Scheduled for Nov. 6

[maddezmom]

Source: Bloomberg

Oct. 31 (Bloomberg) -- The Senate Judiciary Committee scheduled a Nov. 6 vote on Michael Mukasey's nomination to be attorney general as support among Democrats dwindled because of his reluctance to clarify his position on torture.

Patrick Leahy, a Vermont Democrat and chairman of the panel, announced plans for the vote a day after Mukasey wrote to lawmakers that he isn't sure if waterboarding, an interrogation technique that simulates drowning, is torture. His statements made it more likely the Democratic-controlled Senate will be closely divided on his confirmation.

Four Democratic senators seeking their party's presidential nomination oppose confirmation, and other key Democrats said they are dissatisfied with Mukasey's latest response on what is permissible in questioning suspected terrorists.

Mukasey's answer was disappointing because ``waterboarding is torture. I don't know why anybody would have any question about that,'' Leahy said today in Washington.

Yesterday, Leahy said Mukasey initially ``had the nomination in the bag'' until he was asked whether waterboarding was illegal.



Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/bloomberg/20071031/pl_bloomberg/aidjpgkfkzni

[pinto]

1. Would be good to see this nomination stopped in committee.

:kick:

[spotbird]

2. It will make it out,

The committee make some meaningless symbolic gesture like sending it to the floor without recommendation. On the floor none of the presidential candidates will vote for confirmation, and he'll be confirmed with 55 or so votes.

[maddezmom]

5. Schumer intends to vote for him

so I think it's going to make it out unless a Repub votes against him.

[Bacchus39]

6. that is because Schumer recommended him

n/t

[maddezmom]

7. yeah, I know...but I did hear while listening to CNN

in the car, that he was going to review Mukasey's answers and make a decision but will keep them private until the vote. Whatever that means. Hopefully, he'll have 2nd thoughts.

[annabanana]

8. Call Chuck! [phone]. . . . . . eom

[Acadia Blue]

3. This is important. We need to call all our representatives.

[gratuitous]

4. Let me make it easy for the committee

Your choices are:

1. No
2. No
3. Hell No.
4. Fuck No.