Gonzo Redux? Mukasey Tells Right-Wing Activists He Backs Gitmo, "Enhanced" Interrogation

Newsweek:

After president Bush settled on Michael Mukasey to be his next attorney general, White House officials were privately worried about how conservatives would react given the ex-judge's lack of "movement" credentials. But in a series of private meetings arranged by chief of staff Josh Bolten prior to the nomination, Mukasey, 66, reassured top hard-liners, such as Federalist Society executive Leonard Leo and former A.G. Edwin Meese. According to three sources, who asked not to be named discussing the private meetings, Mukasey said that he saw "significant problems" with shutting down Guantánamo Bay and that he understood the need for the CIA to use some "enhanced" interrogation techniques against Qaeda suspects. Mukasey also signaled reluctance with naming a special prosecutor to investigate Bush-administration misconduct, according to one participant. "Gosh, I'm a little worried that the Democrats might have problems with him," said one well-connected conservative after being briefed on Mukasey's responses.

Read the whole story: Newsweek

Comments

[joja]

Of course Mukasey is going to be a Cheney/Bush synchophant. Why would Dick & George change their game plan at this stage? And why would anyone think they would ever propose to put someone in a position of power who would be anything but an asskisser?

It's the same old M.O. that's worked so well in undermining every other agency in DC -- sink morale so employees quit in droves, refuse to fill vacancies thus encouraging poor performance results, use results to justify need to outsource jobs to private contractor, well-connected private contractor(s) ensure that nothing will really get done other than soaking American taxpayers for outrageously overpaid contracts, and voila! Mission Accomplished -- another federal agency put in a coffin.

And the Dems will look the other way and approve this latest sack of shit Cheney/Bush nominee because they are under the delusion that they can use it as leverage to get some other legislation passed, not having learned from past experiences that Cheney & Bush never negotiate -- on anything.

It's like the Dems & Cheney & Bush are having a giant pissing contest about who can do the most damage to the country and the Constitution.

[Witchitalineman]

Oh Lordie here we go again.

[brantl]

I hope the democrats remember what it is to take a principled stand and dump this weasel.

[realitytrumpsbull]

Sock puppet #1, sock puppet #2... ready on sock puppet #3....

[truthyguy]

Bush, the simpleton.
Look at him in the pictures.
Lee Harvey where are you now that your country needs you?

[repubesnivel]

Have problems with him?

The shit is gonna hit the fan! Bush is sending in a ringer.

[Colmore]

Bush really likes short people, doesn't he? Must make him feel like a "big man". He is a mental midget, with bow legs, crossed eyes, and an oversized head.

[Danny]

No more Attorney General confirmation until the admin forks out the subpeonaed documents from the last Attorney General. It's easy. They'll have to comply.

[Crozier]

It is thirteen months before your presidential elector's election (the REAL vote is for electors who are not even legally bound to vote for the person that your state gave the majority to.

I truly fear that the Iranian conflict will escalate and that dirty tricks are coming.

[KosmicKat]

That mummified creature (on the left, this time) is going to replace Corn Flakes? If you slapped him on the back, clouds of dust would burst out and flood the atmosphere. Sure he's not a Halloween scarecrow that got caught in the picture?

[kfdan]

Do you actually think GW is going to present anyone for AG who will go after the illegal acts and immoral goons who make up his Presidency? Do you actually think that the Senate or Congress consists of impeccable people not prone to gathering feathers in their nests at the expense of the public good?
Do you believe that the US is not going down the tubes ~ it's Constitution trashed, it's governmental balance of powers out of wack, the neo-con vision not being followed by the majority of our Representatives in government or the war in Middle East is not a war over oil?
Wake up people ~ the US is turning into a South American styled Junta! With years of experience at doing this in Central and South America, the powers that be have a very good handle on the methods to achieve the destruction of the US and are doing so this minute!

[menes3959bc]

OMG , we are back to square one......t­he same course....­whoever would vote to confirm him ,will come next year saying " well , if i knew at the time......­..

[Defyant]

Isn't that special?

[barrycourage]

Figures. Did anyone expect Bush to name an AG who actually would defend the Constitution?

[RichardD]

Beautiful name for the Excited States of America at this time, and place, and context - Muckasey - listen to the syllables!!! - it must have been foretold.
I am sure...no, I am postively certain...­he will do a heckuva job.