Fuck Chuck (Schumer)

[cali]

So charming Chuck can't wait to stick his face in front of the camera, as ususal, and holds a press conference this morning to praise Mukasey, after Leahy stated again that he needed information that the Committee had subpoenaed, before a hearing could be scheduled. Here's part of what Chuck said:

Democratic Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York also repeated an earlier vote of confidence in the judge, calling him "better than any of the names" that have been floated by the White Hosue recently.

"Judge Mukasey is not a crony of the president, he is not a White House insider. That's a good sign," Schumer said, adding that the nominee has a reputation of someone with integrity who puts the law first.

"That is the most important thing right now," he said.

<snip>

http://www.myfoxkc.com/myfox/pages/News/Detail?contentId=4380590&version=1&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=3.11.1

All the dems on the JC should be saying the same thing Leahy is. And publicity hungry Chuck could have had his precious presser to SUPPORT Leahy instead of undermining him.

[Swamp Rat]

1. I like Chuck Schumer

:)

[cali]

2. And do you like him

holding a press conference to tell everyone what a good nomination this is?

[Swamp Rat]

8. So, you are saying that Chuck Schumer gave a press conference stating his support for Mukasey?

Did he say this is a "good nomination," and what did he mean by "good?" Does this mean he likes Mukasey and wants him to be AG or is there another reason he used those words, as you say?

Since I did not see it I cannot debate your point, but I would appreciate an accurate portrayal of his statement. Is this link your only reference or did you watch the entire press conference?

KoKo01's thread is vague, but she seems to be indicating it was a good press conference:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x1828077

[cali]

9. I just have this link and

and a comment from another DUer who saw the press conference. My point is simple: Whatever he said, he should be backing up Leahy who doesn't want to hold a Hearing until he gets subpoenaed info. And it would be better if he just shutup instead of praising Mukasey.

[Swamp Rat]

14. I don't think Schumer should "shut up."

I am not ready to jump the gun and condemn Schumer just yet. If what you say is true, then I would hardily agree. Mukasey should never be allowed to serve as AG.

Maybe he and Leahy have coordinated their responses to confuse the refucklicans? I cannot say, but I really really like Leahy's idea and hope Schumer is (or gets) on board.

[cali]

Well, you could have a point there

that Leahy and Schumer coordinated statements, but it's hard for me to see how.

[immoderate]

20. Schumer says "We want to confirm!" Leahy: "Just as soon as you cough up the papers."

No contradiction. :shrug:

--IMM

[Swamp Rat]

21. I am watching it now --->

Check it out (4th link down):

http://www.cspan.org/videoarchives.asp?CatCodePairs=,&ArchiveDays=100

So far Schumer is praising Bushler for his choice, while damning him. :D

Schumer is saying he is a better choice than others so far, but I am not taking this as an endorsement.

Watch it. 4 minutes in he mentions Leahy's request.

[cali]

24. Thanks.

I don't have TV, so I can't watch it,and I have dial up, but what did he say about Leahy's request?

I may have to rescind my harsh criticism, but I really wish he wouldn't praise Mukasey or the admin.

[Swamp Rat]

29. Here's a quote from near the end:

"Our goal is to get an Attorney General in office who puts rule of law first, who will show the necessary independence that every attorney general has had to show at times, particularly in a White House that seems to want to control the Justice Department in an undue way."

Schumer appears to be supporting his Democratic colleagues in this conference, as he deflected questions about them back to criticizing Bushler at every turn.

At the very end Schumer mentioned that he talked to Mukasey? on the phone this morning. The last question asked of Schumer was, "Do you support Mukasey??" He said, "I am open-minded and hopeful that he will satisfy the concerns that I have and other Democrats have, and he will become a consensus nominee."

I can only assume Schumer and Mukasey have an amicable relationship, and that Schumer sees him as a better candidate the previous nominees.

[lonestarnot]

39. Still waiting for the sound card later.

The freak was one of the to interrogate the first detainees, don't know under what circumstances, but do know he was a first on the bandwagon. He should not be confirmed.

[Swamp Rat]

41. I agree.... never make deals with fascists.

NO ONE chosen by Bushler should be allowed to serve as AG.

[immoderate]

16. I'm not a Chuck fan, but...

I think he's right here. He knows Mukasey, and has given a personal endorsement that this is a basicly non-partisan person, the kind a decent Republican would have proposed in the first place. Bush has surrendered here.

I think Chuck can still back Leahy, if he chooses. I don't know if he said he would.

--IMM

[qdemn7]

36. Smuck Schumer

Is a Camera Whore. He is incapable of not shoving his face into the nearest camera.

[Quixote1818]

3. Be careful

Bush could have sent this guy up so the Republicans would shoot him down and then we get stuck with someone really, really bad! I would have rather had Myers then Alito. Bush knows how to play the game and this guy might be the best we can do.

On Air America today Sam Seder seemed to be OK with Mukasey. Sam Seder is pretty sharp.

[cali]

6. That is NOT the point

The point is not whether he's good or bad, the point is to use the confirmation as leverage to get subpoenaed info as Leahy is trying to do, and by going on C-Span and holding a presser, praising this nomination, and not backing Leahy up, he's undermining Leahy's ability to use that leverage.

[TomInTib]

4. Didn't Schumer originally appoint Mukasey to a judicial position?

Seems as if I read that somewhere.

[Kagemusha]

5. Yeah, it's a pick designed to have an easy time with Schumer's blessing

I'm wondering if the Democrats got anything for that besides "Not Ted Olson". Or if Schumer gets anything out of it.

[NYVet]

13. Chuck did approve of Mukasey

for a lifetime appointment for the William Rehnquist seat on the Supreme Court about 2 years ago.

[VP505]

7. Could Schmuck Schumer

supports Judge Mukasey because of AIPAC?

[cali]

11. huh?

You mean like some sort of secret Jewish cabal? Is Mukasey even Jewish? That's just bizarre. Chuck just likes face time.

[VP505]

28. The Judge is

according to Wikipedia a prominent member of the Manhattan Jewish Community. He donated to LIEberman's campaign and I understand him being an Orthodox Jew he also is a big AIPAC supporter along with Schumer who recommended him to * to be nominated for AG. I am not suggesting that his being Jewish or a friend of Schumer is anything (using your words) "like some sort of secret Jewish cabal". I am just saying that his being an AIPAC supporter might be something that influenced Schumer to recommend him.

[cali]

31. I doubt it.

In fact, I think that's a giant leap with no rational basis, and, well, an odd thing to think. Do you realized Glenn Greenwald also had some positive things to say about him? Do you know who Greenwald is?

I think Chuck probably thinks he's a better pick, because he is better than Olsen or Thompson. He slapped down the admin on the Padilla case, and he's not some pro-life fundy crony of bushco's.

[VP505]

34. Doubt whatever you want

but AIPAC has a lot of influence on our Government.

[cali]

35. Sure it has influence, but dragging it into this

says more about you, than anything else.

[VP505]

37. You don't

think that wondering who influences the decisions our elected make is a legitimate thought?

[cali]

38. Sure, but hardly in a situation like this.

You're suggesting that A) Schumer is more loyal to AIPAC than to the Constitution, or B) that AIPAC is so all powerful that they could influence Schumer to support Mukasey when he doesn't actually believe that he's what Schumer said he is.

Do you understant why I think that's just a tad odd?

[VP505]

40. I think your wrongly

jumping to a conclusion that I was suggesting anything. No I don't think it odd, I think you just incorrect in your conclusion.

[aquart]

26. What a completely scummy remark.

Goodness, I wonder where it could be coming from?

No chance in hell that Mukasey is an honest judge? Nah, he's a Jew, how could that be?

The amount of slime at DU just boggles my mind.

[VP505]

32. Who said

anything about the honesty of Mukasey besides YOU?

[TomClash]

10. I like Chuck Schumer too and . . .

Mike Mukasey may deliver the subpoenaed documents anyway. And if the WH stops him, he may very well resign. He's a lot closer to Eliot Richardson than Alberto Gonzales.

I get what Schumer is doing - Mukasey is from his state and he wants to support him.

But your point is well-taken - why not force him to make that concession - and a few others?

[Rowdyboy]

12. Leahy can always appeal to the Judiciary Committee chairman to sit in the nomination.....

Oh, wait, Leahy IS the chairman of the Judiciary Committee. His opinion is the only one that really matters and I expect he'll do exactly as he pleases. I'm really glad Senator Schumer likes Mr Mukasey but I doubt that will have much influence on Chairman Leahy.

[cali]

18. That's not the way it works in the real world

his opinion is not the only one that counts on the Committee. If he doesn't have support for holding up the nom, it'll be hard for him to do.

[Rowdyboy]

42. Obviously we differ in how we view practical politics in Washington....

Even in a senate split 50-49, Pat Leahy can sit on any bill or any nominee for as long as he chooses. Regardless, I doubt Leahy will hold up the AG nomination for long-but not because of Chuck Schumer's opinion. He'll bargain a bit with the administration but will hold hearings and a vote soon because he wants whats best for the Justice Department and Mukasey is as good as we're going to get for the next 15 months.

[frylock]

15. You simply want to whine about the dems.

That's easy to see. Instead of standing with them when they do stand up, you bitch. Pathetic.

[cali]

19. LOL

Except I don't bitch about ALL the dems.

[aquart]

27. Really. Which ones are pure enough for you?

[cali]

33. What are you talking about?

If you're asking what dems I admire, here's a few. And it has NOTHING to do with purity:

Waxman, Conyers, Lee, Woolsey, Welch and dozens of others in the House.
Leahy, Sanders, Boxer, Kennedy, Dodd, Whitehouse, and several more in the Senate.

None of them are perfect, but they'e all legislators that I believe do a credible job.

Is that good enough for you?

[lonestarnot]

17. WTF!

[Swamp Rat]

22. Watch it:

Check it out (4th link down):

http://www.cspan.org/videoarchives.asp?CatCodePairs=,&ArchiveDays=100

After 4 minutes he mentions Leahy's request.

[lonestarnot]

25. Have to wait until I get home. No sound card here.

Thanks Swamper! :hug:

[Swamp Rat]

30. no problemo

See post #29 for more details. :hug:

[depakid]

23. Typical Schumer

New York can do a whole lot better than that....

[bbgrunt]

43. sometimes I think Schumer is a lot like Arlen Specter--

makes a lot of good noise sometimes, but is always the first to capitulate.

[budibudinski]

44. How much wood could a woodchuck schmuck if a

woodchuck could schmuck Chuck ?

[Horse with no Name]

45. They are from the same state and if I am not mistaken

this isn't the first time that Schumer has voted to confirm this guy.

[saltpoint]

46. Big fan of Senator Schumer here.

Chuck Schumer can lead the charge to retake the U.S. Senate for Democrats any time.

cuz I'm thinkin', well, heck. Schumer's pushing to get Webb and Whitehouse and Brown into the Senate, and I'm like, you know, enamored of those people, cuz like, well, they're Democrats too, and well, you know, I kinda like Democrats awful good.

So I turn on the tv set and there's ol' Chuck Schumer battling for the folks I like.

Son of a gun.

[saltpoint]

47. some good pals and me, we worked some of Schumer's campaign to unseat

Al D'amato.

If you knew D'Amato like we knew D'Amato you'd revise your notions of the good senior Senator from New York, cali.

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

48. I don't like the pick, but for a Bush pick it's extraordinary

Given how horrid theother AGs were.
It's probably the best we'll get out of the guy. maybe that's his reasoning