Baucus And Tester Oppose Mukasey (& Salazar, too!)

[babylonsister]

http://tpmelectioncentral.com/2007/11/baucus_and_tester_oppose_mukasey.php

Baucus And Tester Oppose Mukasey
By Eric Kleefeld - November 7, 2007, 3:17PM

Montana Senators Max Baucus and Jon Tester — two Democrats from a state that reliably votes Republican for president — have announced their opposition to Michael Mukasey for attorney general.

In a joint press release, the two declare, "We are deeply troubled by Judge Mukasey's refusal to acknowledge what our courts, our military and every single previous administration has recognized: waterboarding is torture and it is illegal."


Now that more Senators are coming out against Mukasey, it looks like his confirmation may not be assured, after all. So we're hauling out our chart of where the individual Senators stand on this:

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Montana Senators Max Baucus and Jon Tester today released the following statement:

From fighting terrorism, fraud, corruption and the scourge of meth to gaining the trust of the American people the next Attorney General has a huge task ahead. Over the past several weeks, we have listened carefully to what both Judge Mukasey has said and what he has refused to say.

We are deeply troubled by Judge Mukasey's refusal to acknowledge what our courts, our military and every single previous administration has recognized: waterboarding is torture and it is illegal. Failure by our government to repudiate torture exposes American men and women fighting around the world to potential danger and injustice.

For too long the Department of Justice has lacked an independent leader who will attack the many problems that face this country, while preserving the liberties guaranteed in our Constitution. We do not believe that Judge Mukasey will be that needed independent voice and we cannot, in good conscience, vote for his confirmation.

[Schema Thing]

1. I'm surprised Chuck Hagel and John McCain will vote to confirm

[babylonsister]

2. I'm surprised anyone will! nt

[Schema Thing]

3. lol, true.

[mvd]

4. What do you think are the realistic chances of a filibuster?

All they need is Lieberman and maybe one more if the Democrats don't filibuster. That's if Schumer and Feinstein vote no now that it's out of committee.

[babylonsister]

5. I have not a clue, but do know certain senators are making this a big

deal. We can hope... If someone does, that would go a long way in restoring 'some' faith for me in our representatives, but I'm not holding my breath, as usual.

[mvd]

6. It would certainly make one of my earlier GD topics look good

Hope my hunch is right. I'm not counting on it.