It appears that Bush somehow has gotten confused and made a good choice in former judge Michael Mukasey. Bush Chooses Mukasey To Be New Attorney GeneralBy Cliff Montgomery – Sept. 19th, 2007George W. Bush has chosen retired New York federal judge Michael Mukasey to be his new attorney general. If confirmed by the Senate, Mukasey will replace the disastrous Alberto Gonzales.It appears that Bush somehow has gotten confused and made a good choice in Mukasey. Like Robert Gates, who replaced the equally disastrous Donald Rumsfeld as defense secretary, Mukasey may become one of a rare breed among Bush administration officials–a reasonable, competent representative of the American people.Mukasey is perhaps best known as an expert in handling terrorist cases, having shuttled many through the U.S. justice system for over a decade. If confirmed, he would employ those talents as America’s chief law enforcement officer. And as Mukasey already has picked up the support of a number of key Democrats, it seems that Bush will dodge a contentious confirmation battle.A New York native, the 66-year-old Mukasey currently serves as a legal adviser to Republican presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani. If his Senate confirmation goes as expected, Mukasey would take over a Justice Department currently suffering from low morale and apparent lack of purpose.From his constitutionally-suspect spying on fellow Americans to his partisan firings of nine federal prosecutors, previous Attorney General Alberto Gonzales made himself a poster child for the incompetence, hubris, and outright tyranny of this administration. His tenure only served to humiliate the Justice Department, and severely wounded the agency’s ability to effectively perform its legitimate law enforcement duties.Such realities had long been recognized by numerous key congresspeople–Republicans and Democrats alike–who openly questioned Gonzales’ abilities and credibility.The dwindling number of Bush supporters point out that Mukasey, who served as chief judge of the powerful Manhattan courthouse for six years, by comparison has flawless credentials, is a staunch justice on national security matters, and would almost surely help restore everyone’s confidence in the abilities and intentions of the Justice Department.Bush critics have made a point of their own, however. They counter that Mukasey’s nomination is probably due more to George W. Bush’s weakened presidency as he limps into the last 15 months of his administration than to the judge’s admitted abilities.Mukasey has enjoyed a previous endorsement from fellow New Yorker Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY). The fact that Sen. Schumer is a leading Democrat is seen by many as proof of Mukasey’s broad, bipartisan appeal.In 2005, the avowedly liberal group Alliance for Justice placed Mukasey on its list of only four justices who, if picked to sit on the Supreme Court, would probably win the support of both Republicans and Democrats.A bipartisan official, who is endorsed by a group furthering the cause of liberty and civil rights for all? No, George Bush must have made a mistake this time around.Like what you’re reading so far? Then why not order a full year (52 issues) ofe-newsletter for only $15? A major article covering an story not being told in the Corporate Press will be delivered to your email every Monday morning for a full year, for less than 30 cents an issue. Order Now!
How Necessary Laws Are Killed These Days
Lawmakers generally only fight to protect the things they care about – and all too often, that just doesn’t include the lives of most of their constituents.
