Patterico's Pontifications

9/16/2007

Bush to Name Michael Mukasey as AG Nominee

Filed under: Law,Politics — DRJ @ 5:05 pm



[Guest post by DRJ]

According to the AP, President Bush will name retired federal Judge Michael B. Mukasey to serve as Attorney General following the resignation of Alberto Gonzales:

“President Bush has settled on Michael B. Mukasey, a retired federal judge from New York, to replace Alberto Gonzales as attorney general and will announce his selection Monday, a source familiar with the president’s decision said Sunday evening.

Mukasey, who has handled terrorist cases in the U.S. legal system for more than a decade, would become the nation’s top law enforcement officer.

The 66-year-old New York native, who is a legal adviser to GOP presidential hopeful Rudy Giuliani, would take charge of a Justice Department where morale is low following months of investigations into the firings of nine U.S. attorneys and Gonzales’ sworn testimony on the Bush administration’s terrorist surveillance program.

Bush supporters say Mukasey, who was chief judge of the high-profile courthouse in Manhattan for six years, has impeccable credentials, is a strong, law-and-order jurist, especially on national security issues, and will restore confidence in the Justice Department.”

Bush critics see this selection as caving to liberals, both because they preferred Ted Olson and because Mukasey was endorsed by Sen. Charles Schumer and liberal groups.

Mukasey is the former chief federal judge of Manhattan, presiding over criminal corruption and terrorism cases “including the trial of Sheik Omar Abdel-Rahman, who was accused of plotting to destroy New York City landmarks.”

I’m willing to keep an open mind until I hear more.

— DRJ

9 Responses to “Bush to Name Michael Mukasey as AG Nominee”

  1. IF Olsen was really their first choice, then they should have made the Dems vote him down. Let them demonstrate for everyone that being one of the best lawyers in the US, but being a Republican, should disqualify you from being AG. If this Judge was actually their first choice, I hope they did this in spite of Schumer’s support, as he is a lying crap weael.

    JD (f6a000)

  2. I don’t know DRJ, I’m not happy to yet more Schumer proteges in the administration.

    Robin Roberts (6c18fd)

  3. I see the article mentions that he was also viewed by some as a potential USSC nominee who would be supported by both Reps and Dems. I guess that’s a good sign for a speedy confirmation.

    Itsme (ed6081)

  4. Robin,

    It sounds like he’s associated with Giuliani rather than a Schumer protege, but I’m sure we’ll learn a lot more over the next few weeks.

    DRJ (4725f3)

  5. Elections have consequences (original ain’t I?) and with that the Democrats have every right to ask for more “consultation” when cabinet posts are filled.

    Veto power? Perhaps not. But certainly at this stage of the presidency, and with 30% approval ratings and an unpopular war, the President needs fewer confrontations not more.

    Give in. Save what little capital you have left for Iraq and the GWOT.

    Smart move even if the SOBs Schumer and Leahy get a victory.

    SMG

    SteveMG (c75a3e)

  6. and with 30% approval ratings

    Since the Congressional approval ratings are even lower than the Presidents, who should he be consulting. Insofar as elections have consequences, if the Dems win the White House in 2008, then they can demonstrate that. Until then, only the Preisdent has earned the right to make nominations as he sees fit.

    JD (f6a000)

  7. Since the Congressional approval ratings are even lower than the Presidents, who should he be consulting.

    Didn’t know this process was subject to public approval ratings.

    Tom (909acb)

  8. Tom – I failed to make my point clear. SteveMG brought up this idea, and though I agree with him more often than not, the idea that approval ratings have any bearing on this process is beyond my comprehension. The ephemeral approval ratings are used to bludgeon the President, but never so with Congress. Last time I read the Constitution, it said zero, zip, nada by way of public opinion or approval ratings.

    JD (f6a000)

  9. I think this is going to be fun. The lefties are blind to the statements Chucky Schumer made about this nominee when Chucky wanted Bush to nominate this person to replace Rhenquist.

    I pray the GOP has the spine to read into the record Chucky’s comments over and over again. Someone pass a bottle of W Ketchup to Chucky to eat his words with, and pass another bottle to alphie.

    PCD (b47ba5)


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