Advancing Mukasey’s Nomination to Senate May Rely on the Power of One (crap!-Feinstein?)

[babylonsister]

Advancing Mukasey’s Nomination to Senate May Rely on the Power of One
By Seth Stern, CQ Staff

A growing number of Democrats are uneasy about the nomination of Michael Mukasey for attorney general, but all he needs is a single Democratic supporter to advance out of the Judiciary Committee when it votes Nov. 6.

That may still prove possible, as several committee Democrats have suggested their primary concern is providing leadership to a department adrift, a consideration that may outweigh their discomfort with Mukasey’s answers to questions about “waterboarding,” an interrogation tactic that simulates drowning.

On Wednesday, though, Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island, a committee Democrat who previously indicated that he was leaning in favor of Mukasey, came out against him in a speech on the Senate floor.

“I am torn deeply torn between this man and this moment,” said Whitehouse.

Whitehouse became the third panel Democrat to announce firm opposition to the nominee, joining Richard J. Durbin of Illinois and Joseph R. Biden Jr. of Delaware. Biden is also one of four Democratic presidential candidates in the Senate who have announced their opposition; the others are Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York, Barack Obama of Illinois and Christopher J. Dodd of Connecticut.

Most Judiciary Democrats said Wednesday they remained troubled but undecided and planned to read the 172 pages of answers that Mukasey submitted to their follow-up questions before reaching a final decision. Democrats hold 10 of the 19 slots on the panel.

“I’m very torn, and I’m very concerned about his unwillingness to say straight out what I believe is the case — that is, that waterboarding is illegal,” said Russ Feingold , D-Wis. Chairman Patrick J. Leahy , D-Vt., would say only that he was “close” to a decision.

Once again, a controversial nomination in the Judiciary Committee may hinge on Dianne Feinstein , D-Calif., whose vote in favor of Leslie Southwick as a nominee to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit allowed him to advance to the Senate floor, angering fellow Democrats. Feinstein was noncommittal Wednesday.

more...

http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?parm1=5&docID=news-000002618698

[ChairmanAgnostic]

1. noncommittal my ass. She will cave like a Idaho mine.

sooner, rather than later. Although she may delay until the final minutes, just to keep us off balance.

[WillyT]

2. Wasn't It Schumer That Had Mukasey On His List Of "Acceptables" ???

And has Chucky changed his mind on Mukasey?

:shrug:

[annabanana]

3. He has not "issued a statement"

(according to a phone mouse in his office yesterday afternoon)

Chuckie's phone number:[phone]

[babylonsister]

4. He's noncomittal at this point; waiting to see which way the wind is blowing.

Apparently, so far friendship is trumping good sense.

[WillyT]

5. Wow... Am I Psychic, Or What, LOL ???

SCHUMER AVOIDS CAMERAS!
By Paul Kiel - November 1, 2007, 10:46AM

<snip>

Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) was an early and vocal advocate for Michael Mukasey, which means that he's currently in the uncomfortable and, for him, novel position of being the least vocal of Senate Democrats.

Things have gotten so bad that Schumer, known as a legendary publicity hound on the Hill, is ducking cameras:

<snip>

More: http://www.tpmmuckraker.com/archives/004622.php

Ask, and ye shall receive, eh???

:shrug:

[Solly Mack]

6. What a cowardly cop-out of a statement

"...providing leadership to a department adrift, a consideration that may outweigh their discomfort with Mukasey’s answers to questions about “waterboarding,” an interrogation tactic that simulates drowning."

Water-boarding IS A TORTURE METHOD that is used by thugs as an interrogation "technique"/"tactic"

Leadership? Someone who would sanction and continue to give legal cover for torture is providing leadership? And said quality(coughchokespew) of "leadership" outweighs what exactly? Honor? Integrity? Decency? The law?

What the fuck is there to be torn about, Feingold/Whitehouse?

And spare me the "what I believe is the case"...You know good and well water-boarding is torture.

Fuck this bullshit torture - enabling by pretending there is a question of IF water-boarding is torture.

It's a chickenshit stance.

Torture is illegal. Water-boarding IS torture. Water-boarding is illegal - a crime against humanity. A war crime.

That is the ONLY position open to anyone with an ounce of self-respect, decency, honor, and integrity.