Praise for Mukasey, More Criticism of Gonzales
Michael Mukasey, the president’s nominee to succeed Alberto Gonzales as U.S. attorney general, was warmly welcomed by lawmakers of both parties at a confirmation hearing today, in a session that included implicit, and sometimes explicit, criticism of his predecessor.
“During the afternoon session, lawmakers of both parties showered Mukasey with praise, which was often accompanied by barely disguised swipes at Gonzales,” reports the Washington Post. For instance, Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., noted: “I think it’s time for a steady hand, for a professional.”
Some were more explicit in their criticism of the former AG. Gonzales “was not much more than a potted plant” while in office, said Sen. Charles Schumer, D-NY, a vocal critic of the former AG, during today’s confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Mukasey, 66, a former New York federal judge, won praise and support from Schumer and others with promises that he would not approve of torture and would not allow political considerations to influence prosecutorial decision-making, as another ABAJournal.com post today details.
As discussed in earlier ABAJournal.com posts, Gonzales resigned from office on Aug. 27, following months of escalating criticism and eroding support from legislators of both parties. Among the issues raised were his role in encouraging Department of Justice prosecutions and decision-making that may have had a political basis, including the controversial firings of at least nine U.S. attorneys. At one point, Democrats were even calling for a perjury investigation of Gonzales.
New York Times (“Mukasey Treads Careful Line at Senate Hearing”)
International Herald Tribune (“Mukasey vows to keep politics away from Justice Department”)
Chicago Tribune (“Mukasey: Gonzo torture memo ‘worse than a sin’”)
