As you all know by now, I usually try to focus on state and local issues, and I don’t do too much national stuff here at the blog. However I think this is an important issue, so let’s talk about it this morning. Last Friday, I was surprised to see that our Senior Senator from California, Dianne Feinstein, say she will support Michael Mukasey for Attorney General, even though he hasn’t been able to admit that the practice of “waterboarding” is torture, and that the US should NOT use this practice when interrogating detainees. Now Feinstein has since said that she supports Mukasey because he’s the best we can expect from President Bush, and that a possible recess appointment made when Congress adjourns for the Holidays could be much worse than Mukasey. Still, is she right in doing this?
Do YOU think Senator Feinstein should vote to confirm Michael Mukasey as Attorney General? Would Mukasey be an improvement over Alberto Gonzales in showing some independence from the White House? Or is Mukasey just as problematic, as he hasn’t committed to putting to an end the Bush Administration’s policy of allowing torture?
Oh, and while we’re at it, should Feinstein’s Democratic colleagues in the Senate allow Mukasey to be confirmed as Attorney General? Is this a fight that shouldn’t be fought? Or is the possibility of continued torture and Constitutional violations just too much for Democrats NOT to fight tooth and nail on who will be our next Attorney General? I want to hear what you have to say on Bush’s Justice Department, Michael Mukasey, and Dianne Feinstein’s decision to support him for Attorney General, so please have your say.
Is Senator Feinstein doing the right thing here? Or is our Senator making a big mistake. Go ahead and fire away.