Advancing Mukasey’s Nomination to Senate May Rely on the Power of One
By Seth Stern, CQ Staff
A growing number of Democrats are uneasy about the nomination of Michael Mukasey for attorney general, but all he needs is a single Democratic supporter to advance out of the Judiciary Committee when it votes Nov. 6.
That may still prove possible, as several committee Democrats have suggested their primary concern is providing leadership to a department adrift, a consideration that may outweigh their discomfort with Mukasey’s answers to questions about “waterboarding,” an interrogation tactic that simulates drowning.
On Wednesday, though, Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island, a committee Democrat who previously indicated that he was leaning in favor of Mukasey, came out against him in a speech on the Senate floor.
“I am torn deeply torn between this man and this moment,” said Whitehouse.
Whitehouse became the third panel Democrat to announce firm opposition to the nominee, joining Richard J. Durbin of Illinois and Joseph R. Biden Jr. of Delaware. Biden is also one of four Democratic presidential candidates in the Senate who have announced their opposition; the others are Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York, Barack Obama of Illinois and Christopher J. Dodd of Connecticut.
Most Judiciary Democrats said Wednesday they remained troubled but undecided and planned to read the 172 pages of answers that Mukasey submitted to their follow-up questions before reaching a final decision. Democrats hold 10 of the 19 slots on the panel.
“I’m very torn, and I’m very concerned about his unwillingness to say straight out what I believe is the case — that is, that waterboarding is illegal,” said Russ Feingold , D-Wis. Chairman Patrick J. Leahy , D-Vt., would say only that he was “close” to a decision.
Once again,
a controversial nomination in the Judiciary Committee may hinge on Dianne Feinstein , D-Calif., whose vote in favor of Leslie Southwick as a nominee to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit allowed him to advance to the Senate floor, angering fellow Democrats. Feinstein was noncommittal Wednesday.
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