Dodd Sets Pace on Dunking Mukasey

Kudos to Chris Dodd whose third-tier-nothing-to-lose presidential campaign has sprouted him a robust pair of cojones. Dodd became the most prominent Democrat, and the first among
the presidential candidates, to declare he will vote against Bush nominee Michael Mukasey's confirmation as Attorney General.

Angered by Mukasey's Senate testimony last week in which the former federal judge and prosecutor floated a legal "theory" that the President of the United States could, indeed, stand above constitutional statutes, Dodd declared on Monday:

"That is about as basic as it gets," Dodd said. "You must obey the law. Everyone must."

Dodd, along with a slew of other legal and political observers were also dismayed when Mukasey dodged Senators' questions last week about whether or not so-called waterboarding was, in fact, a form of torture. After eluding any straight answer, Mukasey wound up making the incredulous statement that he wasn't quite sure what was meant by the term.

Over the weekend, some leading Senate Democrats ranging from Dianne Feinstein of California to Carl Levin of Michigan engaged in their own form of equivocation, warning they might vote against Mukasey if he doesn't properly clarify his views when he responds to written questions from the Senate later this week.

But Dodd's bold stepping-out on this issue, rejecting any mulligan for a nominee who refuses to call torture by its proper name, seems like it might force the hand of fellow Democrats who might start looking rather silly if they don't turn thumbs down on the newly proposed AG. Within hours of Dodd's statement, fellow candidate and Delaware Senator Joe Biden also said he had made up his mind to vote nay. Campaign spokesmen for John Edwards and Bill Richardson also joined the chorus. And by late Monday night, the campaign of Barack Obama piled on, telling The New York Sun:

"Judge Mukasey has failed to send a clear signal that he understands the legal and moral issues that are at stake for our country, and so I cannot support him." Mr. Obama said even a clarification from Judge Mukasey would be insufficient. "No nominee for attorney general should need a second chance to oppose torture and the unnecessary violation of civil liberties," he said.

After this barrage, Mukasey's nomination might be dead in the water -- if you'll excuse the pun.

Comments

[ReasonIsMyReligion]

What's so damn hard about expecting the Attorney General -- of all people -- to respect the rule of law and uphold the Constitution !?!

Right on Sen. Dodd!

[paige]

I agree. The way things stand now in Michigan only Clinton and Dodd are in the primaries due to something the dems did. Dodd gets my vote and my families vote. Actually he had it all along in this primary.

[ReasonIsMyReligion]

WOWZA!

If Clinton (or Dodd) wins the nomination by less than Michigan's 17 electoral college votes, 3% of 538 total...

http://www.fec.gov/pages/elecvote.htm

[cynic]

Dear Reason,

It is hard to expect the AG to respect the rule of law because he was nominated by bush.

[ReasonIsMyReligion]

Dear fellow cynic,

from which i deduce that el busho would rather have an "acting" temp fill in than see someone with a SPINE confirmed.

[MBFLA]

Apparently it is a challenge for Congress to uphold its Oath of Office or Impeachment would have long been on the table.

[ReasonIsMyReligion]

Amen.

[ashabot]

.
Mukasey is just another neocon stooge. It will be unforgivable if the Dems give him a pass.
.

[mongus]

What is Hilary waiting for?... Is he waiting to see whick way the polls are heading before she votes on Mukasey?....Hillary?.....Hillary?

[paixa3]

The past actions of the Dems have been horrible.

KUDOS TO YOU SENATOR DODD.

Thank you for understanding and speaking for truth and law.

[Marlowe, ma'am]

What intrigues me about these evil old men is their absolute knowledge that what they believe in must be equivocated, disguised & ultimately hidden from view. The child within never departs and so their reasons for these deceptions are childlike simple: in their own souls they know what they believe in is wrong and against the rules and unjust and so they must lie and pretend as a way of life.

Country-simple truth: If republicans were candid they'd never win any election, except maybe mayor of La Jolla or councilman of Newport...

[Marlyn]

Actually it doesn't seem to matter to Republicans whether it is the truth or not.

[msfiskvletterman]

10/30/07
10:49am
Burlington, VT

Thank you Senator Dodd.
Now, I have DCF case in Connecticut (my son, Adam) that I'd like to talk to you about....

[markusmarkus]

I just called Senator Dodd's office (202 224-2823) to offer my support and thanks for the Senator's decision to vote against Judge Mukasey. You should do the same.

[Jane22]

Thanks for the #, markusmarkus. I just called to leave a message and spoke to the office person.

[SaviourMachine]

I did.

Thank you,markus.

..next is my Senator,that horror Feinstein.

And no emails to her, as one only recieves a polite and vacuous response.

Arrgghhh.

[doglove]

Just did the same, thanks so much.

And a real person answered the phone!!!

Hillary is a hawk, Obama is a coward, Chris Dodd can save America.

Think before you vote.

[msfiskvletterman]

10/30/07
3:52pm
UVM Library

Thanks for the phone number but I'd rather put any comments in writing--I'll e-mail him or fax him.

Connecticut DCF has been breaking the law with impunity--for years. My 7-year-old son was removed from my custody by DCF--which claimed that I was "on-the-run" from the FBI and caused my son's symptoms of autism. My son was not abused until DCF got him.

[eyeswideopennow]

baby bush didn't pick Mukasey, cheney did. Darth vader has always been in charge of all court appointments.

[The Impartial]

Right, Dick has always been the puppeteer since the day they stole the people's White House.

[willyloman]

I guess that is the New Republican Talking Point: that "Laws" don't really apply to certain people and that we have to get used to that.

Remove Pelosi, Impeach Cheney

How to Declare the Speaker Seat Vacant.

http://willyloman.wordpress.com/ 2007/ 10/ 29/ how-to-declare-the-speaker-seat-vacant/

[FastMovingCloud]

YEA!!!!!!

[longislandlol]

A} He's from NY-he's got the SchHill vote
B) He's Rudy's friend -he's got the rudy backers' vote--
C) One thinks- he is an insider like Hill-- they usually win--
D) He's decent- and we all sometimes say things to people that needs clarification--we're not all the great communicators we'd like to be
E) Once he clears up what he really meant to say--- he's confimed

[eugenegerard]

A democrat with a set of COJONES. Now if a bunch of the other scared babies take a cue we'll see some action. Hey guys all the Bush Crime family can do is rendition , torture or kill you (and your family). What's to be afraid of?

[MetalCanuck]

Dodd is just trying to pattern himself after Ron Paul..sort of a Ron Paul lite.

[Marlyn]

Here is a movie (45 minutes) of Ron Paul speaking in January 2004 at the John Birch Society www.jbs.orgg) in Salt Lake City where he speaks in support of the USA withdrawing from the UN.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8174691865292891844&q=ron+paul+brushfires&total=8&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=5

Do I agree with Ron Paul? NO. And I doubt that Dodd would either.

[StillAmused]

Mr. Dodd Goes To Washington!

Bravo!

[speakingtruth2power]

Any Senator who has not spoken up by now is triangulating.

America needs a administration that will lead us away from
corporate fascism and the sins of BushCo.

The worst thing for US would be an administration that will not
return power to the Senate and WE the people.

[Grannysue]

They are finally growing some balls, it's about dam time.

[Macready]

Dodd is the best!

[gcallaghan]

Mukasy is among the last people who should be considered for the job of cleaning up the mess Gonzales left. In fact, ANYBODY CodpieceBoy nominates ought to face a steep uphill struggle to gain confirmation. Having NO AG is better than having another one of Bush's fascists at the helm pretending to uphold our nation's laws, especially while his time in office rapidly expires. Someone has to keep a close watch on what he'll try in desperation.

[gappytoofcondi]

Don't understand what the hurry is. The DOJ is broken. Really believe the report from Glenn A. Fine. the Inspector General should come first. It is due out in a few weeks. Let's see how F'ed up the department is BEFORE a replacement is put in. Especially if Mukasy is Bush's choice.

Who shouldn't be weary of any suggested appointment from the man who has essentially dismantled the constitution? Thank Dodd for having the common sense to question Mukasy.