Leahy: Mukasey not going anywhere til wh releases attorney info/ Reid more upbeat

[babylonsister]

http://www.tpmmuckraker.com/archives/004198.php

Leahy: Our Focus is on Getting Information
By Paul Kiel - September 17, 2007, 11:02AM

Senate Judiciary Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-VT), the man who will preside over Michael Mukasey's confirmation hearing, signals hard that Mukasey's not going anywhere until the committee gets the information it's been seeking on the U.S. attorney firings and the administration's warrantless wiretapping program. A statement just out:

“The Judiciary Committee will approach consideration of the nomination of an Attorney General in a serious and deliberate fashion. The Administration took months determining that a change in leadership was needed at the Department of Justice and then the President spent several weeks before making a nomination. Our focus now will be on securing the relevant information we need so we can proceed to schedule fair and thorough hearings. Cooperation from the White House will be essential in determining that schedule.

“The next Attorney General needs to be someone who can begin the process of restoring the Department of Justice to its proper mission. I am hopeful that once we obtain the information we need and we have had the opportunity to consider the nomination, we will be able to make progress in this regard.”

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), by contrast, sounds upbeat in his statement.

Here's what he has to say:

“I’m glad President Bush listened to Congress and put aside his plan to replace Alberto Gonzales with another partisan Administration insider. Judge Mukasey has strong professional credentials and a reputation for independence. A man who spent 18 years on the federal bench surely understands the importance of checks and balances and knows how to say no to the President when he oversteps the Constitution.

“But there should be no rush to judgment. The Senate Judiciary Committee must carefully examine Judge Mukasey’s views on the complex legal challenges facing the nation. I look forward to meeting Judge Mukasey, and I will work with Chairman Leahy to ensure a full airing of the issues presented by his nomination.”

[cali]

1. God I'm glad Reid's NOT the Chairman of the

Judiciary. Way to go Senator Leahy.

[ShaneGR]

2. It's pretty clear Mukasay is a big difference from Ashcroft/Gonzales

New York moderate, I mean we weren't gonna get a progressive liberal nominated.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/09/17/gonzales.mukasey/index.html

(snip)
While his politics and record should help Mukasey get through the Senate easily, some conservatives aren't satisfied.

"When it comes to other issues, particularly the issue of abortion we do not think his record is someone that we can trust, and we think the president should look at some other candidates," said Brian Burch, president of Fidelis, which bills itself as "a Catholic-based advocacy organization" "defending life, faith and family."

[cali]

3. Yeah, but it's not really about Mukasey

it's about the admin stonewalling Congress. That's what has Leahy so pissed.

[babylonsister]

4. Yep, and I hope he gets support to stick by his principles. All the

Dems should be supporting Leahy. Stonewall the confirmation til they get what they legally have a right to.

[cali]

5. I actually would prefer

that he hold a Confirmation Hearing, and that if they don't get a pledge from Mukasey to appt a Special Prosecutor, have the DC U.S. Attny prosecute those who are ignoring subpoenas, and ivestigate the Siegleman prosecution in AL, they refuse to vote the nomination out, but I'll take this position too.

[lyonn]

11. They way I look at it is that this hearing can be stretched out

until bush is out of office. The whole damn Attorney Generals office is worthless at this point. So, your plan looks like a good way to keep bush busy trying to avoid the subpoenas. Love it actually

[robinlynne]

12. Remember, the pledges they make during confirmation hearings don't mean shit

later, when it counts.

[madokie]

18. I'm with Sen. Leahy on this

[Zodiak]

14. If he is a Chafee type of moderate...

...then I have to say it begs the question "What does BushCo have on him to be used as leverage?" because, frankly, I do not think that Bushco is capable of nominating anyone that is not firmly under their thumb.

[Beelzebud]

6. I remember Reid singing the praises of Bush lacky Harriet Meirs.

Is there anything Reid doesn't capitulate on?

[babylonsister]

7. It will be interesting to see if he supports Leahy or Schumer. nt

[cali]

9. Schumer, I'm sure.

And if Leahy doesn't get support, he can't stick with this position. On the other hand, he's been in the Senate far longer than either Reid or Schumer and knows his way around.

[yodermon]

8. Would Mukasey enforce all the pending contempt citations against the shrub administration?

that is the question for me

[robinlynne]

13. Bush is not going to put forward the name of anyone who would do that.

[Zodiak]

15. No, he won't

We always make the mistake of thinking it will be better....this time.

It won't be.

I am fairly certain that Bushco has something to hang over the head of this guy so they can twist his arms at will OR he is like Roberts...another stealth neo-con who wil take the mask off the minute the confirmation hearing is over.

[lyonn]

10. Give me Leahy's legislative style over Reids any day

Cheney tells Leahy to go F himself. Leahy could care less what Cheney or Bush have to say. He knows what's going on and doesn't intend to go along to get along. Great!

Reid is such a dissappointment. Too willing to make nice. Not as bad as Lieberman, but.....

Bush can get by with "my way or the highway" in ruling the country. A few Dems in Congress are pissed. Bush hasn't attempted to compromise on anything, why should Congress?

[Enrique]

16. their roles are different

Reid would make a lousy Judiciary chairman, and Leahy would probably make a lousy majority leader.

[ShortnFiery]

17. IMO, Harry Reid is a grand disappointment to rank and file democrats: 18% huh?