Senator Patrick Leahy (D) "pleased" with Bush apointee Gonzalez

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

...Air America has this on their front page (http://www.airamericaradio.com/)...

Dems Won't Obstruct Gonzales Nomination

Despite his record as White House Counsel when he aggressively promoted policies that undermine civil liberties and international law, it appears that the Senate Democrats will not actively oppose the confirmation of Alberto Gonzales as Attorney General. Gonzales, who wrote the memo describing the Geneva Convention as "quaint" is strongly opposed by civil and human rights groups. Senior Senate Judiciary Committee Democrat Pat Leahy told PBS that he was "pleased" with what Gonzales said about having been a judge. "He knows that you have to step back and you have to be fair to all people," continued Leahy. Leahy applauded Bush for not picking a "polarizing figure."

The Democrats' stance towards Gonzales along with the replacement of Tom Daschle with Senator Harry Reid, an anti-abortion, conservative Democrat, as Senate Minority Leader, are early but important indicators of a conciliatory attitude by the Democrats towards Bush's second term agenda. A self-described "friend" of Bush's, Reid's election was described by Senator Diane Feinstein as an indication that the "voice of the moderates of our caucus ought to have some sway."

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/law/july-dec04/gonzales_11-10.html



GWEN IFILL: Sen. Leahy, what is your reaction to Mr. Ashcroft's parting statement?

SEN. PATRICK LEAHY: We all hope that the threat of terror is down. That is not a Democratic or a Republican position. I think we still face a significant threat of terrorism.

When I spoke with Judge Gonzales today, I told him I thought that one of the things we would want to do is to make sure if mistakes were made, we correct those. All of us want him to succeed in the fight against terror and the fight against crime.

But this is... there is a case that the president could have sent up a very contentious nominee. He did not. I commend him for that. I think the American people, as divided as we are, would like to see an attorney general who would be one more to bring us together than to drive us apart.

You have to protect the people. I said that to Judge Gonzales and I think that that's going to be the central question asked. And I was pleased with what he said about having been a judge. He knows that you have to step back and you have to be fair to all people.

[tjdee]

1. This kind of "smack me again, sir" business is ridiculous.

This is the same Pat Leahy who got sent anthrax in the mail.

This is the same Pat Leahy who was told to fuck himself, by the Vice President.

And here he is, being pleased as punch by this Gonzalez fellow because he liked what he told him!

:wtf:

on edit: Maybe that's nice of him, to be "fair". But if someone cursed me on the Senate floor, I wouldn't be pleased by anything any of their cohorts said. I'd be hard as I could be on them. At the very least, nail his ass on his statements and papers. But hey, that's just petty me.

[tk2kewl]

2. how quaint

[Deja Q]

3. Well, depending on what an 'enemy combattant' is,

I'd otherwise not worry about Bush's choice.

But the 'quaint' quote speaks for itself. And why does Leahy say there's a terror threat when our President says there isn't?

www.liegirls.com

[whalerider55]

4. did pat just...

tells us to go fuck ourselves?

whalerider55

[tjdee]

5. He told me and I believed him!

And, btw, that's another annoying trend with Democrats.

Duh...he SAID there were WMDs...duh...he SAID he'd be fair....

[Fleurs du Mal]

6. roll over! good boy, patty

Though I don't see how they can give the nod to this Mengele understudy, it damn well better be part of strategy for future filibusters.

[blackangrydem]

7. He obviously feels vulnerable and feels he must kiss the

ring of the Godfather. Is he up for reelection in 06?

Daschle's defeat has chilled the Dems in the Senate.

[shance]

8. What battles will these leaders take on?

I wonder if they realize they are rewarding individuals who apparently have engaged in promoting the most inhumane of behaviors.

These leaders also are responsible for putting our livelihoods in great jeopardy.

They are allowing great wrongs to occur in their name.

[Mojambo]

9. And people wonder why I've switched to the Green party. n/t

[leftyandproud]

10. The DLC had a COMPLETE VICTORY this election.

Harry Reid as minority leader...pro life...voted FOR some of shrubs tax cuts...just beautiful. Now this.

[gordianot]

11. All I can say is maybe Cheney got this one right for the wrong reason.

Yuk :puke:

:mad: :nuke:x(

[ulysses]

12. the voice of the moderates of our caucus

ought to have some sway?

One thing the moderates have learned well from the GOP is how to play the victim when you're actually in control.

[journalist3072]

13. Sen. Leahy

I don't think I've ever been so disappointed with Senator Leahy. Right after Bush nominated Alberto Gonzales, Leahy said "The President could have chosen to send us a divisive nominee, but he didn't."

What?! Leahy might as well have condoned the torture memo! Sen. Leahy is part of the reason I'm considering switching my party affiliation from Democrat to Independent.

What happened to Democrats with backbone?!

[CBHagman]

14. I called his office and told them torture was a deal-breaker.

The staffer I spoke to said the office had been getting a lot of calls about the torture memo matter.

KEEP CALLING. Please do it.

Leahy's D.C. number is 202-224-4242.

I am not going to bust my chops for the Democratic Party if we're going to wink at Mr. Torture Memo. There. I said it. The party will be defecating all over the Constitution and everything else we believe in if they are "pleased" with what Gonzales has done.

I had expected far, far better from Leahy -- far better. I hope Bernie Sanders grabs him by the collar and shames him back to reality.