Democrats May Tie Attorney General Confirmation to Gonzales Papers

[L. Coyote]

Democrats May Tie Confirmation to Gonzales Papers
By Dan Eggen and Elizabeth Williamson
Washington Post Staff Writers
Wednesday, September 19, 2007; Page A10
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/18/AR2007091801379.html?hpid=sec-politics

The retired federal judge nominated as attorney general enjoyed a warm reception on Capitol Hill yesterday, but Democrats continued sending mixed signals about whether their dispute with the White House over congressional access to sensitive administration documents will be an impediment to his confirmation.

Michael B. Mukasey, 66, met with key members of both parties, including Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick J. Leahy (D-Vt.). Both Leahy and Sen. Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.), who also met with Mukasey, said they are hopeful and optimistic that the nomination will be successful, as aides suggested that efforts to reach a deal on the documents were intensifying.

Publicly, Leahy reiterated that it "will be helpful in moving forward" if the White House turns over documents the committee has sought for its probe into actions taken during the tenure of former attorney general Alberto R. Gonzales. Leahy said he continues to have "encouraging" negotiations with White House counsel Fred F. Fielding on the issue but declined to provide details.

"Replacing an attorney general is part but not all of what needs to be done to restore trust in the Justice Department," Leahy said ........

[grasswire]

1. yeah, I'm afraid that's what they want

They put a shark in the acting AG job, so why would they care if this guy is confirmed??

[L. Coyote]

3. Excellent analysis. Since Keisler is a Gonzo clone, this nomination may be a complete ruse.

After considering your point, I suspect they would rather run out their clock with Acting AG Keisler in charge. After all, he has been with the team since Reagan's "The Enterprise" days. There's no AG like a co-conspirator AG!

[aquart]

2. Well, we fucking hope so.