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Schumer, Feinstein to Support Mukasey
The key swing votes have swung. Sens. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) say they're voting for, meaning that Michael Mukasey will make it through the Senate Judiciary Committee and almost certainly be confirmed as the next attorney general.
Here's Schumer's explanation, via Roll Call (sub. req.):
“I deeply esteem those who believe the issue of torture is so paramount that Judge Mukasey’s views on it should be the sole determinant of our vote,” Schumer said in a statement. “But I must respectfully disagree.“The Justice Department is a shambles: politicized and demoralized. The belief and hope [is] that Justice Mukasey, with his experience, independence and integrity, can restore the department motivates my vote.”
And here's Feinstein, in a release just out:
"I believe that Judge Mukasey is the best we will get and voting him down would only perpetuate acting and recess appointments, allowing the Administration to avoid the transparency that confirmation hearings provide and diminish effective oversight by Congress."
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Comments (280)
Alguien wrote on November 2, 2007 4:59 PM:Chuck:
YOU SOLD OUT!
No more contributions for YOU!
Tell AIPAC to write you a nice fat check in exchange for betraying your country!
YOU HAVE BLOOD IN YOUR HANDS!
(And I truly hope some day you have water in your lungs, so you can experience the pleasure of waterboarding!]
Anonymous wrote on November 2, 2007 4:59 PM:Never a single cent to Dems again.
r€nato wrote on November 2, 2007 5:00 PM:so that whole, "Simon says 'waterboarding is torture'" nonsense was just more kabuki theater from the Defeatocrats?
seriously, what was the point of all that?
Waterboarding IS torture.
Those who authorized it ARE war criminals.
I guess they just didn't have the guts to take it that far, after all... so why bother?
Jesus. I'd give my left nut for a REAL opposition party.
anon wrote on November 2, 2007 5:00 PM:Damn Schumer.
jeffgee wrote on November 2, 2007 5:02 PM:What the fuck, Chuck?
oldtree wrote on November 2, 2007 5:02 PM:We can't expect more from either of these two senators. They are probably the victims of the wiretapping and their illegal campaign dollars are known to cheney.
ProDem wrote on November 2, 2007 5:02 PM:they are repulsive, and I am thankful that I don't live in a state that would elect such human garbage. Imagine voting to confirm someone you know to be working against the law you swore to uphold?
Makes them traitors according to the rule of law, doesn't it?
Here is a perfect example of TWO Democratic Senators that are an absolute disgrace!! "Grassroot Dems" should do everything possible to unseat Democrats such as these in the next election. Schumer is an absolute disgrace, and Feinstein has been a "turncoat" for years!! What a sad day indeed for the Democratic Party indeed.
Kurt wrote on November 2, 2007 5:04 PM:Fool me once, shame on you.
Fool me, what, is this 4999 times?, shame on me.
No more shame on me, Democrats. If this is the best you can do then we might as well elect Republicans. At least we won't hope they might do the right thing.
anon wrote on November 2, 2007 5:05 PM:...“I deeply esteem those who believe the issue of torture is so paramount that Judge Mukasey’s views on it should be the sole determinant of our vote,” Schumer said in a statement. “But I must respectfully disagree....
I wish Schumer's seat wasn't so secure. I am humiliated and embarrassed to be represented by a pro-torture Senator. Yup, no more money to Schumer. Period. I do not support torture. Yes, it is "so paramount."
workaday joe wrote on November 2, 2007 5:05 PM:It's hard to argue with Feinstein's logic. The problem is not with how these two (stooges) vote, it is that the Democrats allowed themselves to be played. Feinstein is correct: The acting AG is arguably worse than Mukasey and you know Bush will pull any dirty trick he can to keep his folks in office as long as he can. If the Dems want to make Gonzales and Bush pay for breaking the law, they're just going to have to pony up and do it themselves.
Mitch wrote on November 2, 2007 5:05 PM:If the bar were any lower, we'd all be drunk.
Frankly, it is time for a third party. I'd rather lose with honor than honor these bozos with my vote.
gregor wrote on November 2, 2007 5:05 PM:I have dutifully voted for the straight Democratic ticket ever since I was naturalized in 1985 even though I am a registered independent.
Dianne Feinstein will never get my vote again.
iVoted4Nader wrote on November 2, 2007 5:06 PM:AIPAC wins.
Marshall wrote on November 2, 2007 5:07 PM:Why does Schumer feel the need to take responsibility for a screwed up Justice Department? The reason it's screwed up is six+ years of a disastrous presidency with a no-morals legal apparatus. This will just prolong the shame and spread the blame for it to the Democrats.
Congratulations, Chuck. A great political mind at work.
bobh wrote on November 2, 2007 5:09 PM:F'ing traitor. chuck schumer is a goddamn idiot and a traitor.
anon wrote on November 2, 2007 5:10 PM:If there's an upside to Schumer--compared to, say, Lieberman--I don't see it. He makes noises now and then but he's no better than the administration, perhaps worse, since he, like Lieberman, provides them with "bi-partisan" cover. And, unfortunately, like Lieberman, he's probably in office as long as he likes.
Anonymous wrote on November 2, 2007 5:10 PM:Go ahead, Chuck. Try to kick the football again. I promise I won't pull it away this time.
Patrick Briggs wrote on November 2, 2007 5:12 PM:I long ago gave up on both Schumer and Feinstein. I live in California and I'll vote Republican to get her out. At least then, we'd have a real Republican instead the one masquarading as a Democrat now!
W Action wrote on November 2, 2007 5:12 PM:I'm with Renato. If you're going to cave, why put up resistance? It just makes you look twice as feeble. Does anyone really wonder why Congress' approval rates are so low? Republicans tell you they will do bad things. Then they do them. Dems tell you they don't like bad things. Then they do them anyway. Which party would you trust?
Legalize wrote on November 2, 2007 5:13 PM:This isn't a question of which administration stooge is worse than the other administration stooge. This is a question of whether the Senate fucking Judiciary Committee (OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!) is a body that endorses torture.
Evidently it is such a body.
We must repudiate the craven, cowardly, scum that calls itself the Democratic Party, or this good cop-bad cop routine will ample on in perpetuity.
Mark Richards wrote on November 2, 2007 5:14 PM:Our "representative" system of government strikes again.
And good luck to all of us.
Uncle Mike wrote on November 2, 2007 5:14 PM:"SENATE DEMS KNUCKLE UNDER AGAIN".
Now, THAT headline looks familiar.
JusticeForall wrote on November 2, 2007 5:14 PM:Unbelievably shameful. I HAD respect for both of them but not now.
TURNCOATS! If they think they are getting an "independent" in Mukasey they are dumber than I thought.
I will never vote for DiFi again and if I could vote for Schumer, I wouldn't.
Disgusted wrote on November 2, 2007 5:16 PM:I feel betrayed and dismayed. If the highest Attorney in our land can not take a STRONG position that torture in ANY FORM will not be tolerated because it is IMMORAL and DOESN'T WORK.
This just gets worse day by day.
I hope everyone writes to both of them and complains, I sure will.
UP-chuck
goodgirlroxie wrote on November 2, 2007 5:16 PM:Feinstein has let her constituents down again. On issue after issue after issue, she ignores the people who elected her.
I'll vote for pretty much anyone who's willing to run against her, with the exception of right-wing religious fanatics.
litmus wrote on November 2, 2007 5:17 PM:why doesn't dianne feinstein just quit her charade and change parties? she's fucking useless as a "democrat." she's on the wrong side of every single issue that requires a courageous moral stand.
as a san franciscan, i've never been more disgusted with and ashamed of a fellow city resident in my life.
looking back, the shooting of harvey milk is even more tragic, given the elevation of feinstein's profile that resulted from that event. years later, we're all paying for dan white's insanity in the form of a pathetic, gutless windbag of a senior senator.
AlphaLiberal wrote on November 2, 2007 5:17 PM:Oh for Pete's sake. All the fortitude of the Weimar Republic.
improper wrote on November 2, 2007 5:18 PM:Interesting. Let's see, what doe Feinstein, Schumer and Mukasey all have in common?
Fractal wrote on November 2, 2007 5:20 PM:What smug pieces of shit. When are they up for reelection? Can Leahy take retribution? Shouldn't they lose subcommittee chairmanships if they have any?
Wapiti wrote on November 2, 2007 5:22 PM:what do Feinstein, Schumer and Mukasey all have in common?
They're all Bush's tools, apparently.
Phil wrote on November 2, 2007 5:22 PM:If waterboarding is done continuously for five to ten minutes, it causes death. So, how is it not torture? The only thing that allows people to survive is if it is only done for a few minutes.
Yelling at people, putting them in stress positions or blaring music at them doesn't kill them, much less kill them in a matter of minutes. So, whether some of these things are torture could be debated. But waterboarding, if not stopped in a short period of time, always leads to death. That is by all definitions torture.
Apathy wrote on November 2, 2007 5:23 PM:And with this move, it again brings about the question - will there ever be a powerful third-party to enter the fray in the country? If ever there was a time we needed one, it's now. If ever there was a time to start one, at least from a grassroots level, it's now.
Unreal.
65yoh wrote on November 2, 2007 5:23 PM:and yet again israeli machinations trump american interests. and, like pelosi, shumer and feinstein choose 'gang loyalty' over accountability.
impeach!
peas!
Bob wrote on November 2, 2007 5:23 PM:The Republicrats are one party. Long live the Empire.
Ric wrote on November 2, 2007 5:23 PM:The Democrats aren't even trying to fight these sick bastards. Mukasey has clearly indicated he has neither independence nor integrity. He's just going to be another Bush whore at DOJ. And Schumer and the rest who support this appointment have shown their utter lack of courage and intelligence and just plain street smarts.
These people are pathetic sellouts. Feinstein's argument is crap. There's no transparency when Mukasey won't even answer the question about torture, and when he indicates he supports the chief psychopath's destruction of the Constitution. Settling for an obvious evil because you think you can't do better is simply giving in to evil and becoming part of it. And Schumer has got to either be on drugs or forgot to take the ones he needs.
I suppose it's just too much to look for intelligence and integrity when you haven't got any yourself.
The Democrats are about as useful to the people as a car alarm or an appendix.
v. popvli wrote on November 2, 2007 5:23 PM:shame on you, mr. schumer. shame on you, too, dianne feinstein.
but the most shame of all can go to the republicans who are in lock-step with Bush on this trainwreck ride to destroy the constitution.
there's a metastasizing cancer in washington, d.c. we all know where it started. it's a sad day indeed when it has so clearly infected the democrats too.
James White wrote on November 2, 2007 5:24 PM:My note to Democrats.org:
"Feinstein and Schumer: you can't reject a person who won't say that waterboarding is torture? We're supposed to the good guys! I'm done with you. Not another dime from me. Not for Noriega here in TX, not for franken in MN, no, not another dime."
mark wrote on November 2, 2007 5:24 PM:I'm very sorry for Judge Mukasey, who seems to be in a difficult position, but this is a stain on Mukasey himself, and on Schumer; it will be stain on the Judiciary Committee if it recommends his confirmation, it will be a stain on the Senate if it confirms, and it will be a stain on the American people if he is sworn in. I never thought I would see this happen.
eric wrote on November 2, 2007 5:27 PM:"improper wrote on November 2, 2007 5:18 PM:
Interesting. Let's see, what doe Feinstein, Schumer and Mukasey all have in common?"
And, watch the votes of Specter, Feingold, Kohl, and Cardin.
lucky wrote on November 2, 2007 5:27 PM:Would someone care to explain feinsteins logic again? how does keeping the acting AG in office make it harder to investigate anyone? how does voting no decrease transparency? this the key to her vote and I just don't get it.
william orr wrote on November 2, 2007 5:28 PM:Why can't Leahy not bring the nomination up for a vote in the judiciary committee?
Why can't Reid not schedule a vote on the floor?
Seems like the above are both tactics that could be used...
P J Evans wrote on November 2, 2007 5:28 PM:What I just e-mailed to DiFi:
"The Constitution is being shredded, with your willing assistance.
"The Geneva Conventions on the treatment of civilians and prisoners are being shredded, with your willing assistance.
"By voting for Mukasey, you will be voting for its overthrow and for the installation of a king in the White House.
"We will have no rights but what the President-for-Life is willing to allow - and so far, that ain't much.
"We will have no remedies but what the President-for-Life is willing to allow - and so far, that ain't much.
"We will have no say in government by what the President-for-Life is willing to allow - and so far, that ain't much.
"Reflect on this, as we all look forward to the dictatorship to come."
It won't do anything to change her vote. But it will let someone, somewhere, know that we noticed and are not happy.
I don't think she's planning to run in 2012; she's going to be close to 80 years old. We just have to elect better Democrats ... and if they won't vote like Democrats, kick them out of the party before they can run again.
PostHereSecondWriteCongressFirst wrote on November 2, 2007 5:30 PM:Dear Majority Leader Reid:
I am writing to tell you how appalled I am by Senator Dianne Feinstein's decision to support President Bush's nomination of Michael Mukasey to be the US attorney general.
This is just the latest in a series of Feinstein votes that go against the fundamental values of the Democratic party.
I have given up chiding Senator Feinstein each time she votes to beat up on the Bill of Rights. Instead, let me promise to you that this is one true California Democrat who supports stripping Senator Feinstein of her leadership positions in the next congress.
It is dreadful enough that California Democrats cannot turn Senator Feinstein out of office until 2012. Please help us mitigate the damage of her continuing presence in the Senate by relegating her to the Lieberman caucus for the remainder of her unfortunate term.
Sincerely,
PostHereSecondWriteCongressFirst
sy wrote on November 2, 2007 5:32 PM:I guess all of Chuck's "rule of law" b.s. boils down to, well, just b.s.
Both he and difi can go get cheney'd.
Tim wrote on November 2, 2007 5:32 PM:the (democratic) party's over.....
No guts, no integrity
NO VOTES & NO MONEY
mark wrote on November 2, 2007 5:34 PM:I've given hundreds of dollars to the DSCC in the past. As long as Schumer is running the show, they can forget about any more from me. I'll pick specific candidates to support & fund them, thanks very much, rather than make the mistake of trusting Vichy Dems like Schumer.
mbbsdphil wrote on November 2, 2007 5:34 PM:Just what "transparency" and "oversight" is Sen. Feinstein-Lieberman referring to? She gave up asking for that long ago.
DiFi may be insulated from the electorate for another five years, enjoying her $16.5 million cottage in San Francisco while hubby makes another hundred million or so selling goods and services to, uh, Mr. Bush's government. But those to whom she is patron undoubtedly will face the electorate sooner. They should do so alone and with little money. It's the best we can do, Diane.
Jess wrote on November 2, 2007 5:35 PM:"The Justice Department is ... demoralized"
How would confirming Mukasey bring moral back up at the DoJ?
Alguien wrote on November 2, 2007 5:39 PM:~ Jess
What bothers me most is that Jake D. endede up being right....
Mukasey will get 63 votes on the floor and win the nomination!
Brought to you by the Senate AIPAC comittee...
P.S: Is Russ Feingold still thinking about it or is he ready to show where his TRUE loyalty lies?
Lou wrote on November 2, 2007 5:39 PM:Gees Schumer and Feinstein.... we CAN do much better than Mukasey, now we get more torture? Which party is it that you are affiliated with again??? Demos acting like thugs again.
What's wrong with waiting for a candidate for AG that is more acceptable?!!?
elaine wrote on November 2, 2007 5:42 PM:Torture santioned in the name of the American people, in my name. I'm heart sick.
bob wrote on November 2, 2007 5:45 PM:Ugh, so dumb. They could at least be truthful in these statements.
Mukasey did NOT show independence. He showed extreme deference to executive power.
If it doesn't matter what a nominee says at a confirmation hearing, just that we go through the motions, they are less than worthless kabuki theater.
Also, after 5 pm Friday press releases are a cheap Bush/Cheney Administration tactic. Classy.
phred wrote on November 2, 2007 5:45 PM:"The Justice Department is demoralized"?!? Hell the PUBLIC is demoralized. What crime won't our WORTHLESS representatives in Congress (on BOTH sides of the aisle) tolerate??? Oh, I know, NONE.
Amber wrote on November 2, 2007 5:47 PM:Mukasey is just as much a Shumer crony as he is a for Bush and Rudy. Without any anti-semitic intentions by asking this, do you think that Leiberman's support and call for an up vote on Mukasey was mostly aimed at Shumer, Feinstein and Feingold? Well, Cheney has some Democrat friends to tell Sen. Leahey to 'go f#ck himself." And I'm sure President 28% will feel that he is still relevant enough to bully pushover Defeatocrats around. If Rudy gets a chance to beat Hillary, what are the chances that his buddy and backer AG Mukasey will stay on the job? Reid should throw sand in all of their faces and keep it from going to the floor.
Alguien wrote on November 2, 2007 5:47 PM:Too bad the wildfires in California have been contained...
michael valentine wrote on November 2, 2007 5:52 PM:It would have been so nice to see Diane's 16.5 million house burn to ashes...!
Can somebody from the San Fracisco area go play with matches near her house...?
She deserves it after today!
Senator Feinstien doesn't get my vote either. She is directly acting against my civil rights and interest as an American.
Why is Feinstien enabling the fascist government of Bush?
steve wrote on November 2, 2007 5:53 PM:A few more moves like this and the dems will LOSE the 2008 election. Plenty of time to do so, plenty of bozos to do it. Dem party: I'm done with you all.
Fred Daniel wrote on November 2, 2007 5:53 PM:Has Feinstein made public her plans for 2012 and beyond? I was under the impression that she was set to retire when her current term elapses. More's the pity if so; I'd hate to see her spared a humiliating defeat.
Sully18 wrote on November 2, 2007 5:54 PM:It`s not much fun down here,down the river where I`ve been sold.At Least there are a lot of other folks like me who aren`t having that much fun either.I liked it up river,but now I`m down the river where I don`t like it as much.I sure wish we had better leaders who wouldn`t sell me down here.I don`t really like it as well as up there.Well at least I haven`t been sold down in New Orleans.Those people were double sold down the river.
Mark C wrote on November 2, 2007 5:57 PM:Anybody have some gum?
Are people here REALLY surpeised Mukasey is going to be confirmed?
All i can say is anybody who ever believed the Dems would block this are truly idiotic fucktards.
Here's a little heads up for you so you won't be so surprised/upset with the next sellout:
I hereby set the chances of the Dems NOT selling out on telecomm immunity at about 0.00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000005 %
You have been warned.....
Kevin wrote on November 2, 2007 5:58 PM:I guess I shouldn't be either surprised or overly upset... we knew Feinstien would vote for him, and Schumer's coyness of late pointed in that direction as well.
Ironic - schumer decries the politicization of the DOJ, yet votes to confirm a man who willfully chose to place protecting the administration above the law... above his own (supposed) beliefs about morality and justice.
I'm sooooooooo freakin' disgusted it's not even funny.
Way to pretty much lower the democratic party (granted it didn't take much effort) to the same level integrity wise as the republicans Chuck
dixiegrl wrote on November 2, 2007 5:58 PM:It's NOT a vote for Mukasey.
It's a vote for Addington and Cheney.
ahh, so much for the Sunshine Patriot.
Kevin wrote on November 2, 2007 6:00 PM:"and voting him down would only perpetuate acting and recess appointments, allowing the Administration to avoid the transparency that confirmation hearings provide"
Dianne, please... don't take us for fools - what "Transparency"????
She's got to go... as a matter of fact, I'm ready for just about all of them to go. For years I've been saying that the Dems and Repubs are opposite sides of the same flawed coin. And folks have looked at me like I'm crazy. Until this year.
tbob wrote on November 2, 2007 6:02 PM:Reminds me of the chorus from "Beltway Whores"...
"Roly, poly, tickle me hole-y,
Smell of me slimy slough.
Then drag your nuts across me guts,
I'm one of the whorey crew."
Thanks Demtards Schumer and Feinstein...knew you had it in you.
Fucking pathetic.
wildone wrote on November 2, 2007 6:05 PM:Get these mo-fos a primary challenge, stat.
Fractal wrote on November 2, 2007 6:05 PM:I am as disgusted as anyone by this cave-in, but I think it's lame to suggest ethnic heritage has anything to do with it.
I do still think these two are arrogant shitheads, selling us fabricated pretexts for their vote.
But at least for Feinstein, I can see there is a back-room deal for her if she votes for Mukasey in committee and on the floor. She is probably desperate to override Shrub's veto of the water projects bill (click Fractal), and may have demanded promises from GOPers to support an override in exchange for her sell-out on Mukasey.
Schumer? Maybe the same, maybe he got a backroom deal, too. They are both from huge coastal states with huge navigable waterways that make a ton of money for their constituents and need a ton of infrastructure investment. And neither of them will face voters in a Presidential caucus or primary in two (2) months.
So, that's my pathetic insight: they sold out for pure pork, not because they believe in torture and are willing to cave in to every claim by DOJ that a wartime president is above the law. I hope I'm right.
Damian wrote on November 2, 2007 6:08 PM:Feinstein and Schumer officially join Team Revulsion. Never ever to be believed again. They'll fit in nicely with current teammates Joe Lieberman, Lindsey Graham, John McCain, and Arlan Spector.
Mark C wrote on November 2, 2007 6:13 PM:Sorry 'bout that. I figured it would autowraparound. That's
0.000000000000000000000000000000000
00000000000000000000000000000000000
00000000000000000000000000000000000
00000000000000000000000000000000000
000000000000000000000005% chance the Dems won't cave on telecomms immunity.
You have been warned.
Again......
linda wrote on November 2, 2007 6:21 PM:the justice department is in shambles, so of course, you want to appoint someone who will lie, dissemble, distort and twist himself into whatever configuration his overlords demand -- and with the utmost contempt for the american people.
i knew that son of a bitch would cave and vote for this most dishonorable man. i volunteered for that bastard's senate campaign. i will never vote for chuck schumer again.
chuck schumer endorses torture. i pray for a reckoning when all those in congress and this administration who are complicit in these grotesque and abominable acts will be held to account.
Matthew Saroff wrote on November 2, 2007 6:23 PM:Shumer does not want to admit that he's wrong, as to my cousin (2nd cousins once removed), this is no surprise, but it is a disappointment.
jacko wrote on November 2, 2007 6:24 PM:Have the Republicans ever broken rank on such an important vote? Hell, McCain will not even vote against Mukasey.
Makes me wonder if Graham and Specter did suggest that the nomination was in trouble only to raise expectations and the demoralize Dems further when their own Senators inevitably caved. Probably not the case but it is clear that those two Republicans would never have crossed the aisle on this.
This is an all time low in my 22+ years as a Democrat. I will probably sit out the 2008 election and certainly will not give any money to any Dem in any race.
JubleJohnson wrote on November 2, 2007 6:25 PM:ProDem wrote on November 2, 2007 5:02 PM:
Here is a perfect example of TWO Democratic Senators that are an absolute disgrace!! "Grassroot Dems" should do everything possible to unseat Democrats such as these in the next election. Schumer is an absolute disgrace, and Feinstein has been a "turncoat" for years!! What a sad day indeed for the Democratic Party indeed.
Integrity wrote on November 2, 2007 6:26 PM:******These two having been doing this for years .Feinstein got re-elected last year & no one even the net roots kos,firedoglake & rest of so called progressives did or say anything about challenging Feinstein.she won re-election without a challenge.let's see what they will do wen Schumer runs for re-elction in '08 ?
“I deeply esteem those who believe the issue of torture is so paramount that Judge Mukasey’s views on it should be the sole determinant of our vote, but I must respectfully disagree (...) The belief and hope [is] that Justice Mukasey, with his experience, independence and integrity, can restore the department motivates my vote.”
You got that? He's counting on the integrity of a man who is unwilling to say that drowning someone in order to get information out of them is "torture".
Anonymous wrote on November 2, 2007 6:34 PM:Ralph Nader is suing the Democratic Party for conspiring to keep him off the ballot in 2004. He appears to have a sound case, and has won many legal battles against the Democrats.
Whether he makes it onto the ballot or not in 2008, my vote goes for Ralph Nader. I will never give another cent to the Democrats. They do not represent me.
It would be nice to see the Evangelical Christians also form an independent party. I may not agree with them, but they are not alone in believing the two current parties do not represent the American people.
Down with the two party system!
tfatha wrote on November 2, 2007 6:36 PM:Okay. I get a vague sense that many of us are not pleased. Now, in the waning moments of our democracy, let's use this - uh - disappointment to RAISE FRIGGING HELL with these folks - before the vote and after, if they don't backpedal.
Truthwhip wrote on November 2, 2007 6:38 PM:What the hell has happened to my country?
urbino wrote on November 2, 2007 6:46 PM:What the hell has happened to my political party?
These days, "disgusted" and "outraged" doesn't even come close. Screw loyalty to the party. Clearly we need to vote out every single incumbent Democrat who votes in favor of torture.
Boy, say what you will about Feinstein's vote, but the explanation for it is perhaps the most nonsensical thing I've read since, I dunno, Gravity's Rainbow, maybe.
I mean, not confirming Mukasey will prevent "the transparency that confirmation hearings provide"?
The mind boggles at the number of logical problems in that statement alone. For one, once Mukasey is confirmed, what confirmation hearings does she think will happen? Confirmation hearings will be in the past tense, at that point.
For another, what transparency came out of Mukasey's confirmation hearing? He refused to give a transparent answer to one of the most important legal questions facing the country today -- a question the Senate KNOWS he will confront as AG -- and he gets confirmed.
Where's the transparency, Senator? Have you been observing the same hearings the rest of us have?
As for Schumer, I get the sense that, for him, this is a case of all politics being local. There's some way Mukasey's personal fate is tied into the safety of Schumer's seat. I have no idea what it is, but my gut says there's a connection somewhere.
Uncle_Meat wrote on November 2, 2007 6:49 PM:Kevin wrote on November 2, 2007 6:00 PM:
"For years I've been saying that the Dems and Repubs are opposite sides of the same flawed coin. And folks have looked at me like I'm crazy. Until this year.
"
You hit it on the head. It doesn't make sense until you entertain the idea that they are intentionally destroying the country, from within.. Rebulicrats and Demopublicans, it's all the same. Two parties, one vote, no choice.
I fear that the event will happen soon, where bush will get to enact martial law, and this country will be well and truly dead.
This is a cold day in hell...
stephen wrote on November 2, 2007 6:49 PM:I will vote for a Republican now instead of Feinstein. THis is twice now that she screwed up the Justice system What a sad sad day.
Dave wrote on November 2, 2007 6:50 PM:Traitors.
I'm seriously considering dumping my Democratic registration.
Official A wrote on November 2, 2007 6:51 PM:Mitch wrote "it is time for a third party. I'd rather lose with honor than honor these bozos with my vote."
I'm with you Mitch. This is nauseating.
Donald from Hawaii wrote on November 2, 2007 6:52 PM:Elton John and Bernie Taupin had it right. Burn Down the Mission.
The problem here is no longer D vs. R. It's the quasi-institution of the Beltway itself, which collectively substitutes its own judgment and desires over the collective wisdom and needs of all those rubes in the hinterlands, i.e., everyone who resides outside the D.C. Beltway.
Anonymous wrote on November 2, 2007 6:53 PM:I'm just checking, the Dems do know they're in the majority now, right? What the hell is the point of being able to shoot down administration proposals if you never actually do it? I'm beginning to wish I'd voted Republican; at least then I'd be getting what I voted for.
Doug wrote on November 2, 2007 6:53 PM:Fuck you, Schumer, and the scumbags you consorted with before you got down on your knees and started performing.
We have tens of thousands of troops in the field defending ideals and values you just abandoned.
You are a traitor to our country.
Dave wrote on November 2, 2007 6:56 PM:My 50 years of Democratic activism ends with this vote. I won't be fooled again.
Official A wrote on November 2, 2007 6:57 PM:Dave wrote "I'm seriously considering dumping my Democratic registration."
I did it right after they caved on FISA. Felt good because at least it was some defiance, which is more than these lickspittles have shown. Mass defection from the party may be the only way these losers will ever get the message.
Former Democrats looking for a good home.
Official A wrote on November 2, 2007 7:01 PM:Dave wrote, "My 50 years of Democratic activism ends with this vote. I won't be fooled again."
I wonder if they have a clue the damage they've done, not just to the country but to themselves and their party. They're running off the people who actually care, for Christ's sake.
Fuck 'em.
Michael A. Olson wrote on November 2, 2007 7:06 PM:Obviously neither New York with Schumer nor California with Feinstein have the best Senators they could get.
Bush and Cheney need someone to keep them out of prison. The law was the law before our government was broken apart by people like these. Disgraceful!
chisholm wrote on November 2, 2007 7:12 PM:This has been another profile in Democratic auto-emasculation.
It really is time for a third party.
Edward Ripple wrote on November 2, 2007 7:16 PM:Livid. Just livid at DiFi.
haddie wrote on November 2, 2007 7:16 PM:... almost as shocked as how civil I was in the email I just sent to her office.
Just Fricking LIVID.
God, boycotting the 2008 election is becoming all the more tempting.
I don't understand the AIPAC connection to this topic.
Not suprised by Feinstein as she's been a DINO for quite awhile. I expect Cardin to fall into line now.
However, haven't the Democrats been bamboozled enough by the confirmation testimonies of Roberts & Alito & Gonzales?
If Mukasey is as tight w Rudy G as is speculated, perhaps Chuck is triangulating & anticipating a President 2008 R.G.
BenFranklin wrote on November 2, 2007 7:26 PM:I'm a liberal when voting. But this latest bait and switch by the Senate majority party has got me serioulsly thinking about Ron Paul. At least he will uphold and defend the literal interpretation of the Constitution which is a vast improvement over the neo-cons and moderate Democrats.
And he has said many times, the day he is sworn in, the troops come home.
Anonymous wrote on November 2, 2007 7:26 PM:Feinstein must be destroyed.
Rebekah Jensen wrote on November 2, 2007 7:27 PM:Let it go. You may not agree with Senators Schumer and Feinstein but the ultimate goal is to get Democrats elected to office in 2008. That's going to be difficult to do if you pull your support. My suggestion, keep your eye on the ball.
Truthwhip wrote on November 2, 2007 7:32 PM:Dave, Official A, chisholm, et al,
Since our party is no longer willing to stand up for the Constitution, or Liberal values -- and now, not even even for basic human decency -- we obviously DO need a new one. A Liberal Party actually willing to function as an opposition to these bloody insane Republicans and "Democrats."
Rebekah Jensen wrote on November 2, 2007 7:34 PM:Unfortunately though, it seems that folks who feel like we do will need to start from scratch, because the Greens don't seem likely to ever make the grade as an alternative. They've proven themselves to be far too disorganized and ineffective at picking candidates, or getting anybody elected.
Repeat after me. "The Republicans are far worse than any Democrat and they must be defeated in 2008 if we want to save the country"
oleeb wrote on November 2, 2007 7:43 PM:The long and the short of it is that in this particular instance Feinstein and Schumer represent the quintessential reason why people think the Democrats are nothing but a bunch of calculating whores and pussies who don't have any courage or convictions. People believe this because it is so obviously true.
I've long considered Feinstein a lost cauze, but Schumer's lack of balls is really eye-opening. What a schmuck! Would Mukasey himself have to have been guilty of waterboarding someone for Schumer to vote against him? What principles does Schumer have that he would be willing to stand up for as opposed to simply posture over and use as fundraising tools?
chisholm wrote on November 2, 2007 7:43 PM:Rebekah--I have a hard time supporting people I have no respect for. I loathe every single thing about the Republican Party, but I respect them. They fight like hell, and they are indeed defining our reality. The Democrats offer me nothing but acquiescence and timid, spineless hand-wringing. They are truly the eunuchs of the royal court.
chisholm wrote on November 2, 2007 7:43 PM:Rebekah--I have a hard time supporting people I have no respect for. I loathe every single thing about the Republican Party, but I respect them. They fight like hell, and they are indeed defining our reality. The Democrats offer me nothing but acquiescence and timid, spineless hand-wringing. They are truly the eunuchs of the royal court.
Truthwhip wrote on November 2, 2007 7:45 PM:Rebekah Jensen, there comes a time when it's wisest for people not to act like mindless cheerleaders for their party. This is one such time. We are talking about the acceptance of torture here. Of "Democrats" voting in favor of someone who refuses to admit that waterboarding is torture.
Eve Leland wrote on November 2, 2007 7:46 PM:If this is what passes now as "saving the country" then I honestly don't know what to say...
As a Northern Californian Democrat who has supported (through votes and money) Feinstein in the past,I stop here. She has been gotten to by the Bush wiretap machine. We recalled a governor, is there a way to re-call a sitting Senator? I bet the (at least Northern Californians - where most of the Democrats are) would sign petitions for a recall! I refuse to change parties before attempting to clean it up from the inside!
Mike wrote on November 2, 2007 7:47 PM:Its come to the point now where I get physically ill when reading about the
democrats caving in, they do it so often.
Wish I could afford to move to another country ,this one is circling the drain unfortunately.
After the neocons bomb Iran leaving wont be an issue because Americans wont be welcome anywhere.
Anonymous wrote on November 2, 2007 7:58 PM:Rebekah, what makes you think that putting Democrats in power will save the country? It hasn't worked so far, certainly not with this current crew.
Sick and Tired wrote on November 2, 2007 8:02 PM:What worthless, craven toads.
DiFi should go ahead and drop her Dem label and start humping her soulmate, Jumpin Joe Lieberman, I-CONN.
Tempestzzzz wrote on November 2, 2007 8:14 PM:HAHAHAHA Why should anyone be surprised?
This isn't your Father's Democratic Party.
They only need your vote and after that-well see you next election.
And please don't spin me a river.
Ed Sanders wrote on November 2, 2007 8:19 PM:The Democrats are truly doing all they can to sabotage themselves in 2008. It's difficult to see how they could perform worse then they have this past year. If it wasn't so damned important it would merely be sad, but considering the circumstances it is beyond tragic.
Is this what a great nation in its death throws looks like?
How did we end up with such incredibly weak minded, spineless, moral degenerates representing us?
Doug wrote on November 2, 2007 8:22 PM:Rebekah -
I cannot in good conscience vote for a party whose leadership lacks the balls to vote against a nominee for Attorney General who will not say on the record that he opposes a method of torture.
TJ wrote on November 2, 2007 8:25 PM:Lieberstein!
Joseph wrote on November 2, 2007 8:29 PM:I just can't believe this.
Schumer: "The Justice Department has been so demoralized under someone who wouldn't condemn torture, so here's another one."
Feinstein: "We need to give Bush what he wants because otherwise he'll just take it anyway."
Senators, GO HOME!
60man wrote on November 2, 2007 8:31 PM:Schumer says Mukasey, who wont call waterboarding torture, has the "integrity and independence" to clean up the Justice Department. On that rationale Chuck throws away a rare opportunity for the Democrats to stand for something everyone can understand.
We need to stop pulling our hair out and start talking about getting Gore or Dean to run for President. Screw the mainstream centrist Democrats who think they are going to sneak into the White House without having to stand for anything or without having to explain themselves to the American people. These worms are fooling themselves if they believe the Right Wing will let poor standing in the polls and one horrendous Katrina-like failure after another keep them from stealing the White House again.
It is becoming clearer every day that many of the so-called Democrats are dancing hand in hand with the MSM Russerts to the music Karl has written for them (you just dont see him but he hasn't left the planet)
On the positive side this vicious knife in the back by Schumer and Feinstein cant be covered up or ignored. It is just a preview of what they and their ilk will do to our hopes for 2008 in the coming months. Progressives who want change need to get on the phone and beg Gore and Dean to run. Hillary, Barack et al do not have the courage or wisdom to stand up and conduct the national teach-in American is dying for. Gore and Dean do.
It is now or never. Pretty soon the MSM will have brainwashed us into a herd of rhinos as Ionesco predicted so forcefully. And the Schumers and Feinsteins of this world will seal the deal for the Right Wing fascist take-over of America. Sound too extreme, fanciful or hysterical-stayed tuned and see for yourselves.
Matthew wrote on November 2, 2007 8:37 PM:Their allegiance does not belong to our Country or its Constitution, it belongs to AIPAC.
eric wrote on November 2, 2007 8:54 PM:"Matthew wrote on November 2, 2007 8:37 PM:
Their allegiance does not belong to our Country or its Constitution, it belongs to AIPAC."
It is sad to see it come to this, but there isn't a better explanation. BTW, it also helps explain why Lieberman, who used to be reasonably liberal, has become so insane with this war on terra stuff. It isn't about being a democrat, and it isn't about doing the right thing....its about Israel.
Matt wrote on November 2, 2007 8:58 PM:I agree with the accountability sentiment, really I do, but there is something to be said for a filibuster-proof majority teamed with a blue White House. If Democrats start splintering now, the people can say good-bye to any chance at election finance reform and eliminating the biggest obstacle to a viable third party. Giving up on Democrats now means giving up on true representation for a long time.
This won't sway those who subscribe to the "more power, less representation" view of the two party system but can we afford to give up now? We've armed the Democrats with one more bullet than the Republicans in the Senate and expect them to make things right again?
If you are unhappy with the Democrats ability to turn this country around, thank our system of checks and balances and ease up with the Emanuel/Pelosi/Reid/Schumer death threats.
My bottom line is that when I vote Democrat next year it will still be because I want a "new direction for America."
NCSteve wrote on November 2, 2007 9:07 PM:Chuck finally succombs to Beltway CW Brain Rot. I expected nothing better of Stepford Democrat Feinstein.
Dennis wrote on November 2, 2007 9:12 PM:"...and justice for all."
We can kiss our legal system goodbye.
Mosi Tatupu wrote on November 2, 2007 9:25 PM:Righteous and deserved anger here. Good. You want to change the course? You actually think the Democratic party can do that? Based on what exactly? You can criticize the Dems for caving all you want, you're gonna cave in too...aren't you. You'll be all angry for the weekend, you'll shake your fist at the teevee, swear to never give the Democrats your money or you're vote, but in the end you will. You'll get on your knees in the voting booth and vote Democrat and slink away and wait for the day when it becomes obvious what you feel deep down inside...you've been cheated once again. There's really only one answer. Ron Paul. Yup. Ron Paul. You may disagree on about 20-30% of what he says, but he says it right out in the open doesn't he. Ron Paul is THE ONLY CHANGE CANDIDATE RUNNING...and you know it.
Wordie wrote on November 2, 2007 9:33 PM:I am truly ashamed of the Democratic party at this moment for not standing up for what's right against the machinations of the Bush administration. How could Schumer and Feinstein even consider voting for someone who is unable to support U.S. laws and clearly say that waterboarding is illegal?
At least we know they're ashamed of this, because they waited until late Friday afternoon to announce it. And no wonder, given how insipid and nonsensical their reasoning was. Transparency? Integrity? (Ric, lucky, Kevin, Integrity, urbino, 60man have already well outlined how illogical these reasons are). Did they think we wouldn't notice?
This leaves me asking: what has the country (and Democratic party) become?
davidgmills wrote on November 2, 2007 9:33 PM:I'm traitor to the eighth I am,
urbino wrote on November 2, 2007 9:33 PM:Traitor to the eighth I am, I am.
I'll let Bush waterboard some more.
He's been doing it seven years before.
Matt says:
"I agree with the accountability sentiment, really I do, but there is something to be said for a filibuster-proof majority teamed with a blue White House."
Not much, when there's no principle the boys and girls in blue are willing to exercise that power for. They'd still all be terrified of getting called "soft on terror" in the next election, or getting labeled "partisan," or having something mean said about them in the next 5 minutes on network news.
In short, the Dems are afraid. They're too afraid to stand up for anything. Anything.
Having the WH and 61 seats in the Senate isn't going to change that. There will always be something else to be afraid of.
If the Dems were fighting for some principle -- any principle -- right now, and losing because of the WH and the closely divided Senate, you'd have a point. That's not the case. They simply are too afraid to fight.
Marc wrote on November 2, 2007 9:38 PM:These democrats are truly pathetic. Let's start recruiting some real progressive democrats to challenge them in their primaries next time around. I'm so disillusioned with the great majority of congressional democrats. They do not seem to have any values that are not flexible when political expediency comes a-knockin'.
improper wrote on November 2, 2007 9:40 PM:Matthew wrote on November 2, 2007 8:37 PM:
The struggle over oppressive government unconstitutional overreaching was not decided by political jujitsu, as much as JewJewJew.
mbbsdphil wrote on November 2, 2007 9:44 PM:Don't give up on the Dems. Replace the BushDogs with Blue Dogs. DiFi may retire, sadly, not for five years, but let's not re-elect those for whom she acts as patron. No patrongage network, no patron, as Cheney understands too well.
Get a solid senate majority of Blue Dogs, throw Lieberman off his committees, and investigate the hell out of Bush and Cheney. Once they're out of power, those they've abused and even their co-conspirators will talk and talk and talk.
anon wrote on November 2, 2007 9:45 PM:...I don't understand the AIPAC connection to this topic...
I'm not sure I do either. However, does anyone know what kinda of lobbying AIPAC did for Mukasey?
anon wrote on November 2, 2007 9:48 PM:Nice CNN headline:
"Two Dems revive AG nominee's chances"
Thanks guys. From now on, I pledge to refer to Schumer as "Objectively pro-torture."
Anonymous wrote on November 2, 2007 10:14 PM:" Immigration agents at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport subjected them to more than two hours of interrogation that the musicians considered so harsh and demeaning that they filed a formal complaint with the U.S. Embassy in Helsinki.
"It was almost three hours of screaming, door-slamming and accusations, according to the report I received," said Marianne Wargelin, honorary Finnish consul for the Dakotas and most of Minnesota, which has the second largest Finnish-American population in the nation...
"They threatened us with severe punishments if we talk to each other," according to the complaint signed by musicians Ninni Poijärvi and Mika Kuokkanen, "Through the walls, I can hear officers yelling, screaming. They ask about the purpose of our trip -- except we are only allowed to give yes-or-no answers. I try to talk about our plans to meet with Finnish-American folk musicians. Nobody listens. They interrupt me constantly and they yell, 'You are a liar!"'
Anonymous wrote on November 2, 2007 10:15 PM:Ron Paul '08
I forgot to add...it won't be long before people like these Finnish folk singers are subjected to waterboarding in these situations. It's being done one step at a time, one cave at a time.
Ron Paul '08
enough wrote on November 2, 2007 10:19 PM:I am so mad I am tearing my hair. Why do I send letters night after night? Feinstein got two from me in the last two days. Why do I care? Do we have a government of laws or of thugs? Where do we go?
Trust nobody, ask every candidate if they support torture. Ask every party leader if they support torture. God help us, and I don't even believe.
The boat is sinking and these people think they are on a 747.
urbino wrote on November 2, 2007 10:29 PM:mbbsdphil wrote:
"Get a solid senate majority of Blue Dogs..."
You're kidding, right?
John Hathaway wrote on November 2, 2007 10:36 PM:Schumer and Feinstein should be rolled out of the Democratic Party. Let these parasites join with Lieberman in the hall of Democrat shame. Good riddance!
Jane wrote on November 2, 2007 10:46 PM:Feinstein's reasoning that she has to confirm whomever Bush picks because otherwise Bush will appoint that person as a recess appointment is ridiculous. It resembles Voltaire's description of Candide's fate: he would have raped her had she not by a timely compliance prevented him.
The place to repair the damage is in primaries against these two and by not funneling money through or to them in this campaign. Do nothing to help the reThugs. It is sad to see people who should know better helping the Rethugs destroy this country but you don't punish these people by taking steps yourselves which continue the reThug control.
Helping Bush's DOJ be effective is probably a bad idea in the first place but certainly to pay the price of endorsing torture in order to do so is ridiculous.
For Schumer to 'respectfully disagree' that torture is this important is for him to be immensely disrespectful of what America stands for.
We need to recruit a New York State Lamont and see that he is better supported.
philbert wrote on November 2, 2007 10:51 PM:Aiding war criminals.
I don't claim to know anything about war crimes, but doesn't that make Dems accessories after the fact?
So many criminals so little time.
Duck Soup wrote on November 2, 2007 10:51 PM:I am disgusted by Schumer. Disgusted. What is motivating the man? One can only conclude it's nothing good. Maybe it's the NY boys club. Maybe Schumer is deluded. Is there no line Schumer will draw when it comes to torture? Apparently not, as nothing has changed since the new nominee waffled on waterboarding. Nothing. Nothing except a backdoor meeting between the nominee and Schumer. Great. Just great. More backdoor politics. This is a disgrace.
Anonymous wrote on November 2, 2007 10:56 PM:"We need to recruit a New York State Lamont and see that he is better supported."
Absolutely. If we had more Senators like Ned Lamont...oh wait, the Democratic party stabbed him in the back too.
Ron Paul '08
Me_again wrote on November 2, 2007 10:59 PM:Gee you think that maybe MoveOn.org is NOT the silly lefty-liberal org that Repugs try so hard to trash. And NO wonder they do. Repugs DO NOT want anyone organizing, BUT we, the blogs, MoveOn.org - American who care about our Constitution NEED to take a stand.
Gee you think that maybe MoveOn.org is NOT the silly lefty-liberal org that Repugs try so hard to trash. And NO wonder they do. Repugs DO NOT want anyone organizing, BUT we, the blogs, MoveOn.org - American who care about our Constitution NEED to take a stand.
Here we go again, now it's Dems that WILLING trash OUR US Constitutions, give Bush want he wants, EVERYTIME. WATERBOARD is a CRIME.
Here is WP telling us to REWARD Bush "They should confirm Mr. Mukasey" after saying this: "As we said this week, it is a shame for America to be led by a president who has countenanced waterboarding and other interrogation methods that most Americans would understand as torture."
So we need to confirm a guy who will look the OTHER way - absolutely.
What is WRONG with this picture. Someone at the WP IS TAKING MONEY UNDER THE TABLE because <a href="this op-ed MAKES NO SENSE.
It is NOT OKAY that Sens. Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) announced the US Constitution does not MATTER. Why are they doing this.
Why does TMP go to the trouble of exposing Gonzale ONLY TO BACK DOWN to Mukasey? Indeed to torture?
We should NOT Tolerate this?
First, the bankrupcty bill, then the class action deal - the Dems KEEP helpping Bush - there must be accountablity,
Why is Sens. Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Dianne Feinstein doing this? Because they have a safeseat - AND THEY DON'T CARE WHAT YOU THINK.
IT'S TIME TO END THAT INDIFFERENCE FROM THEM.
brownbuffalo wrote on November 2, 2007 11:03 PM:This turn of events should come as a surprise to absolutely no one here. Schumer came out in favor of Mukasey weeks ago and Feinstein is a Rupublican in sheep's clothing.
I cannot express how utterly disgusted I am with the Democrats in Congress. They are worthless. We don't need a third party, we need a Democratic Party that stands for democracy and the rule of law.
We need to clean house. We need to somehow show our representatives that their are consequences for their actions and inactions. We need to vote them out of office. Let them rum as Republicans is they hate America so effing much.
MufsMom wrote on November 2, 2007 11:19 PM:I am a life long Dem who just walked away from the party. I will support individual candidates, but would seriously consider a decent third party challenger. Everyone who votes to confirm Mukasey is every bit a war criminal.
Disappointed Papaya wrote on November 2, 2007 11:19 PM:Schumer and Feinstein are so disappointing on this issue--really out of character with other courageous positions they have taken. Why don't they do as John Dean suggests? Make it a condition of their vote that Mukasey appoint a special prosecutor to investigate whether war crimes have been committed? Wouldn't that make the public feel that the Democratic Senators have spine and that justice will be served? Or do they care about justice?
Me_again wrote on November 2, 2007 11:27 PM:sorry, I forgot to preview but YOU KNOW it's NOT right, you Know it, AND you know why they trash MoveOn.org. Why they go out of their way to do it.
They've studied organizing, they don't like it, and you KNOW what happens when people organize, Labor Unioms - Human right - can't have that, To Many questions.
Why is Schumer, Feinstein doing this?
Time to MAKE them understand - it is NOT okay- its not okay at all.
Torture is NOT okay -Why are they doing this? WHY doesn't TMP? Is it now a partisan issue where we Dems just need to understand?
That is the problem with Dem blogs - it's horrible when Bush does but when Dems do - it's completely OKAY.
Josh Marshall will not even care.
It's like when Josh said Saddam was insane because Saddam didn't just admit he was building a nuclear weapon, therefore he must have been insane.
Josh and Pollack.
WGW wrote on November 2, 2007 11:46 PM:I am so disgusted. I just wrote this to Feinstein, one of my so-called representatives:
Dear Senator Feinstein:
I am so proud of you! Thank you once again for voting to give our Leader the Attorney General he needs to conduct this war on terror. It took great courage for this man to get up in front of your Senate committee and tell us that he wasn’t sure what waterboarding was when a casual search of the internet would have turned up any number of videos and articles explaining how it works.
Never mind that there is little or no difference these days between our interrogation techniques and those described in the “Extreme Interrogation” handbook used by the Gestapo. In the one case Germans were doing it, and on the other Americans are. We all know, because the Leader has told us: AMERICANS DO NOT TORTURE, and therefore it is not torture when we do it, even if it was torture when the Nazis did.
Indeed, I feel that this is something we should be proud of, not ashamed and I urge you to push for public viewing of the more extreme interrogations our brace men and women have been conducting in our name using our tax dollars. Imagine what patriotic pride you and all other Americans would feel as they saw one of our servicemen jam a garden hose down the throat of some obvious terrorist and turn on the tap. Why we could even play patriotic music in the background to provide the proper atmosphere.
Allow me to say this as a proud descendant of German emigrants. Senator Feinstein: you are a Good German.
As we used to say in the old country,
GOTT MIT UNS!
Warren George Weis
fortunarota wrote on November 2, 2007 11:58 PM:There is a way to fight back.
nrglaw wrote on November 3, 2007 12:04 AM:Money is the lifeblood of politics and if we cut them off, they will hear us.
Our rallying cry should be "Not another dime!"
Until the Democrats - all the Democrats - take a stand against torture, refuse to confirm Mukasey, and hold the administration in contempt for not honoring subpoenas, they get no money. I mean no one gets money. Not Clinton, Edwards, Obama or any of the other candidates. The DNC is cut off as well as the related committees. Not another dime.
When it comes to permitting torture, we are talking about the soul of our country. Boycott the Democrats and maybe then they will understand what we have been trying to tell them.
Not another dime!
anon--I can't think of any particular reason that AIPAC would have lobbied for or against Mukasey.
In any event, I wrote to Shumer today on behalf of my parents, two holocaust survivors. They live in his former congressional district in Forest Hills. I asked him not to forget he represented so many victims of torture and not to betray them.
I could have saved the ink.
nrglaw wrote on November 3, 2007 12:07 AM:There is a real irony in Chuck Schumer's position on the SDCC, and his relative importance to Senate Democrats in the last election, on the one hand, and the fact that he likely cost the Dems a packet of contributions today, on the other.
Funny.
SP Biloxi wrote on November 3, 2007 12:11 AM:That's bullcrap statements from Feinstein and Schummer. What I really want to know is what did Bush or Cheney offer to them in political favors to sell out???
roberto wrote on November 3, 2007 12:44 AM:Mukasey, Kohl, Schumer, Feinstein.
Gee, what do all these people just coincidentally have in common?
nrglaw wrote on November 3, 2007 12:58 AM:Is TPM going to become a hangout for vocal anti-semites?
urbangreen wrote on November 3, 2007 12:58 AM:So, it looks like Nader was right. There's no difference. Republicrat or Dumbublican. No difference.
I am sick to my stomach that the senior senator from NY is aiding and abetting the Bush regime's torture agenda. Please, somebody, find me another party to vote for.
unclesmedley wrote on November 3, 2007 12:58 AM:Oy, gevelt!
unclesmedley wrote on November 3, 2007 1:02 AM:Seeing the drift of the responses, one can only hope that the Senators, with whom we are all so disappointed, are perhaps imbued with the knowledge and principle that would justify their decision.
2cvogue wrote on November 3, 2007 1:49 AM:So Bush will appoint more and worse people under recess appointments if this isn't confirmed? When the going gets tough, the tough get going: REFUSE RECESS. Untold numbers of innocent people have already been tortured and even killed in the name of protecting the People from terrorism. What happened to such things as "Innocent until provent guilty" or "Live free or die"?
This whole confirmation of Mukasey has a strong stink of "Fool me once: shame on you. Fool me twice: shame on me." Are our politicians holding their nose on this confirmation?
Mike D. wrote on November 3, 2007 1:56 AM:Progressive Democrats need to take over the Democratic Party in the same way that Progressive Republicans took over the Republican Party in California early in the 20th century. That's the only way to get rid of people like Feinstein, who we are unfortunately stuck with until 2012. She is worse than worthless . . . she's helping Bush ruin the country.
Evadt wrote on November 3, 2007 3:24 AM:Yes. Two sides on the same coin.
Unfortunately, the coin has lost a lot of value, recently.
Following last election, the President boasted he had won political capital and he intended to spend it: he has done exactly that.
We are left to wonder what the outcome may have been, had he invested rather than squander.
What did you expect?!!
Outrage is a luxury - for those who still have time to be surprised by compromised leaders.
eNuffiseNuff wrote on November 3, 2007 3:51 AM:It was only a matter of time before our complacent attitude and apathy led to this major meltdown.
Mark Richards wrote on November 3, 2007 4:10 AM:We voted in a slim majority and thought that would work to turn the tables on the oligarchy in the White House. We collectively waited far too long for all of this righteous indignation to gain strength and determination. Now we have watched time and time again our failure to create a filibuster, or send through a veto-proof bill, and ultimately with todays knife in the back, we have watched nearly our last shred of pride and respect for the Constitution and all it stands for get trampled on !!! It will take years for us to recover from and repair the decimation, but we must remember to never let our guard down again! Never let anyone convince us that our good is what they are interested in.
May God bless us all and help us to find our way back to the once great, revered and respected country we once were.
"The boat is sinking and these people think they are on a 747."
When a 747 depletes its fuel supply, the conclusion is guaranteed. There's no viable life raft available. Bye bye.
"Seeing the drift of the responses, one can only hope that the Senators, with whom we are all so disappointed, are perhaps imbued with the knowledge and principle that would justify their decision."
What drift? The responses were almost solidly against these stupid decisions. What knowledge? The drift is that these two have suddenly gone senile. And "principle"? I gagged on that one.
Let's see how the discussion during open committee session proceeds. Having Lahey throw some spittle on Diane and Chuck would be, in the least, entertaining. Perhaps a nice public chewing, plus all those calls and letters, might swing their vote, although I doubt it.
wake me when it's over wrote on November 3, 2007 4:36 AM:I think this is a real sell-out by Schumer and Feinstein. One of the primary duties of Congress is to provide oversight to the executive branch -- and no one needs more oversight than the current WH occupant. Maybe Muskasey is better than Gonzales, he certainly doesn't seem like he will just rubber-stamp anything this admin does. But the issue of torture is too important to just let die for expediency's sake.
kjl291 wrote on November 3, 2007 4:43 AM:ummm...the AG doesn't get to decide the law, he just has the responsibility of enforcing it. All the that Senator Schumer or Senator Feinstein or Senator Clinton (or any other senator) needs to do is introduce a bill that makes waterboarding illegal. Simple. Done. Endgame. But will they do it? Do they have the guts? They are responsible for writing federal law - how can they put someone on the hook for laws that have not yet been passed?
kjl291 wrote on November 3, 2007 4:50 AM:And to make sure that I am clear: Democrats control the house and senate. Why not send a bill to the White House that specifically outlaws waterboarding? Wouldn't that solve all of these issues? Or am I missing something? Is the goal to stop (possible) waterboarding, or to beat up on someone over a law that has never been passed>
TedPax wrote on November 3, 2007 5:14 AM:Schumer's a pussy and Feinstein's a war profiteer (her husband makes them millions in defense contracts), so what would you expect? The rest of the dems have no backbone to stop them. They're all a joke..
Goldspinner wrote on November 3, 2007 6:18 AM:Score one for AIPAC.
JSinAZ wrote on November 3, 2007 7:15 AM:You guys are a hoot! Secret cabals of Jews conspiring to destroy a once great nation using heaps of money, blackmail, insidious mind control and political manipulation...
That strain of paranoia sounds familiar, and it is a cancer that will eat the left alive unless it is excised, and now! A little more verbiage like that from ostensible liberals and they will be indistinguishable from the sick Nazi loons who frequent Stormfront.
I'm all for the righteous indignation, but really, people - get a grip!
Or is this merely the echo of the paranoia I hear from the rightists who nanner-on endlessly about socialist this and communist that?
Good God, maybe we do need a third party, but I wouldn't want to be in it with people like that - would you?
trippin wrote on November 3, 2007 8:10 AM:A vote for Mukasey is a vote for torture. Period. The argument that this is the best Bush will offer so they must approve him is moronic.
Forcing Bush to make a recess appointment makes accountability clear; approving his choice makes one complicit. How can Democrats ever negotiate from strength with an attitude like, "oh, well, that's the best we're gonna get, waaa waa waaaa, so let's all get on our knees and kiss Bush's a$$."
The only thing Democrats can control is their own behavior. Follow John Dean's advice: require a special counsel to investigate war crimes. That doesn't mean you'll ever get it, but what it does mean is that Democrats will actually stand for something.
As it stands, thanks to these two filthy dirty rotten Republicrats, and thanks to the spineless, feckless, ineffectual, leaderless leadership in both Houses, the Democrats have managed to stand for NOTHING. ZERO. NIL. NADA. We have a party that only Caspar Milquetoast could love. And their attitude continues to be that they must be rewarded with more power before they lift even a goddamn pinky for us in return.
It appears this lifelong Democrat will be abandoning these losers for good in 2008. That's becoming more clear and more irreversible with each passing spineless act. I'm sick of this crap.
BuckBurris wrote on November 3, 2007 9:33 AM:I wonder what it is that Feinstein and Schumer see in their fellow Jew that overrides his support for torture, secrecy, domestic spying and law breaking by the president.
wvng wrote on November 3, 2007 9:39 AM:I guess I'll be the odd man out here. When I read Schumer's statement in the Times this morning, I knew it would piss a lot of people off. And it makes me furious that the calculus is what it is - but it is.
No Mukasey means an utter Bush tool(excuse me, acting tool)remains in charge. If Schumer introduces and pushes and passes a bill next week banning waterboarding and other sorts of obvious torture, then we'll get to see if Mukasey acts as he said he would to Schumer: "The judge made clear to me that were Congress to pass a law banning certain interrogation techniques, we would clearly be acting within our constitutional authority. And he flatly told me that the president would have absolutely no legal authority to ignore such a law, not even under some theory of inherent authority under Article II of the Constitution. He also pledged to enforce such a law and repeated his willingness to leave office rather than participate in a violation of law."
nrglaw wrote on November 3, 2007 9:46 AM:Mr. Buckburris:
Such prose! Such insight! And what courage--to wrap your post around the word "Jew"!
Given a choice between the haters and the idiots, I'll take the idiots every time.
nrglaw
Joe wrote on November 3, 2007 10:00 AM:Never underestimate the influence of the Israeli government agents at AIPAC.
"There's a stranger in our house."
Official A wrote on November 3, 2007 10:15 AM:trippin wrote, "The argument that this is the best Bush will offer so they must approve him is moronic."
Indeed it is moronic. This is what we have sunk to in our race to the bottom. Always settling for "the best we can expect" and never daring to raise our expectations. It is nauseating and I am profoundly disappointed in this latest of many, many capitulations.
Having been poisoned by the Republicans, the Constitution is on life support and all the Democrats care to do is provide palliative care. In fact, by now Schumer and Feinstein may be at the funeral home making rrangements. They have no right...they're far from next of kin.
Official A wrote on November 3, 2007 10:23 AM:nrglaw wrote , "what courage--to wrap your post around the word "Jew"!"
I do not disagree in principle with your objection, but please answer this one question honestly:
Are you this indignant when our posting-mates assail evengelical Christians en masses for their conccerted efforts to see their belief systems manifested in government policy? It's a fine line, my friend.
Eric Whitney wrote on November 3, 2007 10:42 AM:Senator Schumer, WATERBOARDING is torture. The U.S. prosecuted Japanese officers after WWII for using it. We had no doubt then that it was torture. The Spaniards that invented WATERBOARDING during the Inquisition had no doubt it was torture. What is the matter with Mukasey that he can't see it's torture?
This is more of the same BUSH/CHENEY steamrolling of Congress that has been going on lo these many years, but now YOU DEMS ARE IN THE DRIVER's SEAT. You CAN defy BUSH and CHENEY. Try being brave and try doing the right thing. If you people would do the right and moral things we wouldn't be in the terrible mess we are in in the world now. You know it's wrong to torture. You know it is AGAINST the constitution through the supremacy clause.
You cannot put a man in charge of the Department of Justice who doesn't know what torture is. Change your mind. Don't confirm Mukasey. Make Bush and Cheney present another candidate.
Who cares that “The Justice Department is a shambles: politicized and demoralized." BUSH and CHENEY created that problem, not Congress. No one will blame Congress if the DOJ is seen to be so badly crippled that it can't function--BUSH/CHENEY did this by packing the department with people who did not think to support the laws of the country--heck, they just wanted to support their man Bush--the country be damned. People that do not understand that this is a country of laws and not of men do not belong in the Department of Justice. It's time a general housecleaning was done there, anyway.
You say Mukasey is the guy we need to reorganize the DOJ. The Nazis were real good at organizing things, too, just like Mukasey, and like Mukasey at they didn't seem to understand about torture. They learned their lesson at Nuremberg, a lesson taught by the U.S. Government. How come we've lost sight of what's right and wrong? We knew torture was wrong in 1945. What's going on with you people in government nowadays? Doing the right thing is important, Senator.
You've been outspoken in the past, and you've done some good things. Do another good thing. Change your mind. Don't confirm Mukasey. Make Bush and Cheney present another candidate.
Jon wrote on November 3, 2007 10:46 AM:Bipartisan support of torture.
I'll pass on that one.
Which party do you feel best represents your interests?
I used to be able to answer that question.
The party of Chuck and Diane wants America's cash and votes but not America's principles or Constitution.
The Party That Can't Say No To Torture vies against The Party of Torture.
When they mop the blood and vomit off the floor, you were there, Diane; you were there, Chuck.
usrbs wrote on November 3, 2007 10:46 AM:Stop with the anti-semitic remarks. I'm a Jew and believe in Israel's right to exist in security, but this is what I sent to Feinstein and Schumer
"Re:Mukasey nomination:
SHAME ON YOU! You are a disgrace to your party, your country and to humanity itself. How can you vote for somebody who authorizes torture and who believes the president is above the law? Thanks for stepping up to make the Democrats complicit in endorsing torture! Thanks for continuing to drag America's reputation down into the mud, thanks for not supporting your party and for handing Bush yet another undeserved victory.
I just can't believe your stab in the back to your own party and indeed to basic human decency. You don't compromise about torture, nor try to pick the prettiest monster. You should have stood with your colleagues and told Bush to find somebody deserving of the position. How ashamed I am to be in the same party as you, in fact, the same country. You're one of the main reasons I've stopped all of my donations to the party - I don't want you and your ilk to get a dime of my money. But rest assured I will donate to any primary opponent who hopefully will challenge you.
Without any respect,
JSinAZ wrote on November 3, 2007 11:18 AM:xxx
Official A: "Are you this indignant when our posting-mates assail evengelical Christians en masses for their conccerted efforts to see their belief systems manifested in government policy? It's a fine line, my friend."
Last time I looked, "evangelical Christians" are not identified by their last names, nor assumed to have racial fealty to masters in foreign lands. Unlike Di, Chuck, et al.
I should pay more attention. If this is what passes for liberal "thought", then real liberals need to create their own White Rose Society. It's getting pretty Weimarish in here...
veritas wrote on November 3, 2007 11:20 AM:BWAHAHAHAHAHA,
You dems are a riot. Every one of you needs to get a life.
Big River Bandido wrote on November 3, 2007 11:36 AM:Any Democrat who votes for this kind of trash doesn't need MY vote to continue the behavior.
Sick of it All wrote on November 3, 2007 11:47 AM:what is wrong with the majority of you posters? i have been and remain a lifelong Democrat and an Obama supporter who is constantly amazed by the virulent anti-semitism, anti-Israelism, and anti-Americanism that lurks in the left-wong of this party. there is no other explanation for why so many posters referenced the mythical AIPAC and Israel in their comments. i find torture illegal and disgusting, but i am also sickened on a daily basis by the reactionary howling of the republican candidates, and know that this country can't take another 4 years of them. driving the party to the far left is the surest way to out them back in power, just as voting for that delusionsal self-aggrandizing moron ralph nader was in 2000. as a long-time career prosecutor within DOJ, i was glad that Senators Schumer and Feinstein bucked the trend and will vote to confirm Judge Mukasey. Though not perfect, he is the best we could hope from this administration to begin rebuilding DOJ, a process that can't start soon enough.
AZ wrote on November 3, 2007 11:50 AM:Amazing doing the right thing, but throwing bones to the moveon.org fly weights will never satisfy anyone. They should have said go cry in the park.
Official A wrote on November 3, 2007 11:54 AM:JSinAZ wrote: "If this is what passes for liberal "thought"
There's more to liberal thought (once we called it dialogue) than labeling anyyone who questions AIPAC influence an anti-Semite. Note that Sec. Rice may be forced to testify in the spy case about "diplomatic back channels". Could similar "back channels" exist in Congress? And is it anti-Semitic to ask this question aloud?
Dirty Internet Hippie wrote on November 3, 2007 11:55 AM:Does anyone know where I can contribute to the Nader campaign?
Dirty Internet Hippie wrote on November 3, 2007 11:57 AM:Has Nader started taking donations yet? Let's leave the Democrap Party to the stand for nothing centrists.
Official A wrote on November 3, 2007 12:04 PM:Sick of it All wrote "amazed by the virulent anti-semitism, anti-Israelism, and anti-Americanism that lurks in the left-wong of this party."
Since when did love of the Constitution and rule of law become "left wing"?
I simply want to know WHY our elected representatives keep caving in. I have asserted no theory, but have been labeled simply for asking.
Your labels are as dangerous as any. Troll.
johnd wrote on November 3, 2007 12:12 PM:Again the Republicans get a chuckle at our expense.
What's the end game Mr Schumer and Ms Feinstein?
Why does the willingness to compromise among some in my party seem to have the effect of making my chosen leaders (you specifically in this case) seem weak and without principle again and again when it's the very human dignity principles you compromised that are the most basic of all?
Your statement reads: "I deeply esteem those who believe the issue of torture is so paramount that Judge Mukasey’s views on it should be the sole determinant of our vote"
With it's meaningless plattitudes removed it says: You people who elected me think avoiding physical abuse of suspects by an elected government is more important than getting a congressionally confirmed AG, I don't.
A Justice Department that has a congressionally "accepted" cheif executive is more important than challenging the President's authority to be the sole decider of what constitutes abuse of humanity?
Nixon was run out of office for keeping some rather mundane political shenanigans under wraps once he learned of them.
Our current President when presented with rather convincing evidence that he has and continues to sanction and perform interogation techniquies that are widely considered torture, simply denies that we torture and attacks, prosecutes and punishes anyone who makes the suggestion that we do. The people have no recourse, period.
Mr Schumer and Ms Feinstein, I know it won't be you who is tortured, but the rest of us who feel a connection to all of our human breatheren feel we have been put in grave danger by your promised support of Mukasey.
What's downside to being firmly against torture of any kind?
jimijazz wrote on November 3, 2007 12:14 PM:Collaborators. I could go into a whole big diatribe but I think the facts speak for themselves. There is something very corrosive and corrupt going on Washington. If AIPAC is a large part of that well, the signs have coming for a long time now.
Jake D. wrote on November 3, 2007 12:16 PM:http://www.votenader.org/
JSinAZ wrote on November 3, 2007 12:38 PM:Official A, the suggestion above was that Mukasey was being green-lighted by Chuck and Di because of his ethnic heritage. I haven't seen anything more substantial than that with respect to allegations of influence. You can muse all day long about AIPAC influence on congress through back channels, but why is that more likely than successful arm-twisting (threats, promises, whetaever...) delivered directly by the Bush Admin for their own purposes, namely getting their own man in place?
To go beyond that with not even a hint in the air of Israeli influence is to distinctly go off in the direction of secret conspiracies involving shadowing figures belonging to a cliquish religion.
And that does smack of an old familiar sort of bias that seems to take hold easily here in liberal dialog land, seemingly more easily than in conservative dialog land.
mishu wrote on November 3, 2007 12:40 PM:Jeez. Hate Jews much?
mishu wrote on November 3, 2007 12:47 PM:Oh yeah. Burning people's houses isn't fascist? Better make sure their books have been moved out first. You know. For appearances sake.
Perfidius wrote on November 3, 2007 12:48 PM:My message to my very own Senator Chuck:
STAND UP FOR TORTURE.
Thank you so much for standing up for TORTURE. No, it should not be the sole issue on which WAR CRIMES TRIBUNALS are convened.
It should not be the SOLE ISSUE one writes the GENEVA CONVENTIONS to STOP.
Please AID AND ABET WAR CRIMES more! You have my support.
Official A wrote on November 3, 2007 12:54 PM:JSinAZ, I just ask that you and others try to be discriminating when accusing those with whom you disagree of racism. Doing so does not dissuade anti-Semites, but neither does it advance your own argument.
It is possible to disapprove of what many perceive to be Israel-centric U.S.foreign policy without being an anti-Semite.
KYJurisDoctor wrote on November 3, 2007 1:01 PM:Despite reservations, the Senate should confirm the judge.
http://osi-speaks.blogspot.com/2007/11/despite-reservations-about.html#links
jimijazz wrote on November 3, 2007 1:10 PM:To Official A: I couldn't have said it better myself. People have to be reminded politics makes strange bedfellows. There is certainly lot of evidence these days to support that.
Jake D. wrote on November 3, 2007 1:16 PM:Thank you, KYJurisDoctor.
For anyone else asking where to donate to Raplh Nader -- he probably will run again in 2008 -- in February 2007, Nader definitely left the door open for another possible White House bid in 2008 and criticized Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton as "a panderer and a flatterer." Asked on CNN's Late Edition news program if he would run in 2008, Nader replied, "It's really too early to say .... I'll consider it later in the year." Asked during a radio appearance to describe the former First Lady, Nader said, "Flatters, panders, coasting, front-runner, looking for a coronation ... She has no political fortitude."
Nader says that his decision to run will be determined by whether the Democratic Party selects Hillary Clinton as its nominee. Some Greens have indeed started a campaign to draft Nader as their party's 2008 presidential candidate. In June 2007, Nader again hinted at a run. He said, "You know the two parties are still converging -- they don't even debate the military budget anymore. I really think there needs to be more competition from outside the two parties."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ralph_Nader%27s_Presidential_Campaigns
cuchieddie wrote on November 3, 2007 1:45 PM:You people are fucking jerkoffs
Patrick Kelly wrote on November 3, 2007 1:47 PM:Apparently good housekeeping at the Justice Department is more "paramount an issue" than the United States attorney general respecting basic human rights. New York Democrats need to dump Schumer the next time around. Its doable. We should start now.
Hank wrote on November 3, 2007 2:20 PM:Perhaps Senator Feinstein is correct in asserting that Mukasey is the best nominee we can expect from Bush. But how can we be sure, when Democrats like her so predictably cave?
She might as well say that since Bush is going to break the law anyway, Congress might as well legalize what he is doing.
Paulie wrote on November 3, 2007 2:27 PM:I agree with John Dean when he says that the democrats should at least demand that Mukasey hire a special prosecutor to investigate if (Ha!) war crimes have been committed by our "leaders". The simple fact is that the current administration has broken the law. They have broken the law in every way imaginable. In particular, they have broken the spirit of the law which places the burden on our country to LEAD the way for the rest of the world. By leading with TORTURE we are saying that it's alright to use it when we know that it's not.
acf wrote on November 3, 2007 2:40 PM:I guess I'll never learn. I keep thinking that this administration can't get any worse yet it just keeps getting worse and descending lower and lower.
And I keep thinking our elected officials in congree will grow spines and do something about it, yet they continue to cave in and show that they have absolutely no principles. Shame on our government. Shame on our executive branch and shame on congress.
What is it about these guys...the old majority establishment...that makes them throw up their hands in defeat every time a fight comes along with George Bush. 'What if Bush is right, and terrorists attack us, we'll be blamed for it'? 'He'll only recess appoint someone worse, or name an acting AG who's worse.' Yadda, yadda, yadda. What oversight have they provided if they ALWAYS capitulate to Bush's demands? Can someone with a spine put a 'hold' on this nomination, and stop it in committee?
dircha wrote on November 3, 2007 2:57 PM:Didn't the Military Commissions Act of 2006 already ensure them domestic legal immunity from prosecution for sanctioning and ordering torture?
If the administration wants to continue to torture, there is nothing we will be able to do to stop them.
And if the administration wants to expand the war to Iran, there is nothing we will be able to do to stop them.
We will never bring these crooks to justice. We lack the will to do it. We lack the support of the people.
The more important issue right now is that we support candidates for president who will promise 100% that there will be no preemptive strike against Iran, and that we will have all troops out of Iraq without exception within a year of their taking office, not two-faced liars like Clinton and Obama.
The more important issue right now is that 53% of the American people support a strike on Iran to prevent them from developing a nuclear weapon, and the administration hasn't turned the propaganda machine on part way.
There is nothing more important in 2008 than that we elect a president who will bring an end to militarism abroad and an end to government violation of our liberties at home. And right now we can't trust the frontrunners in either mainstream party to do this.
moondancer wrote on November 3, 2007 3:20 PM:Jake D repug troll
Get lost asshole, your no more a Nader supporter than cheney is human.
Anonymous wrote on November 3, 2007 3:31 PM:Your a republican jerkoff and a royal pain in the ass.
'Swing votes' my ass. DiFi deludes herself--she was ready to vote for him on day 1 as long he didn't turn into a green alien during the hearings.
She's one of the most spineless politicians there is in Washington.
steambadger wrote on November 3, 2007 3:51 PM:***You may not agree with Senators Schumer and Feinstein but the ultimate goal is to get Democrats elected to office in 2008.***
Rebekah,
Why? So that they can repair the damage done by the current administration and pull our country out of its downward spiral?
Funny -- I seem to remember doing that in 2006. I have a distinct memory of walking into the voting booth and punching a straight Democratic ticket; something I had sworn I'd never do again. If I recall correctly, one of the reasons I did this was because I thought, at the very least, they'd stand up against torture.
Never again.
Jaded wrote on November 3, 2007 3:51 PM:Hey nutroots step away from the acid...you guys are unbelievable but funny to read.
rm wrote on November 3, 2007 4:08 PM:Acting AG Keisler is Founder of Federalist Society ("pro" increased war powers for President, "anti" rights for detainees) and previously worked for Bork, who fired special prosecutor Archibald Cox at the height of Watergate. Maybe those voting for Mukasey would rather not see Keisler stay on. Keisler continuing as Acting AG, which apparently does not require confirmation, would be just fine with the Bush crime family.
TheraP wrote on November 3, 2007 4:23 PM:After so many predictions that if confirmed (despite a failure to assert waterboarding as torture) Mukasey will be forever tarnished - is it possible the man, once confirmed, might have a strong inclination to rescue his reputation - and take firmer stands in some things, than might have been the case, had such a crisis of faith in him never come to pass?
I can only hope that some type of personality dynamic will take over - and the man will feel a stronger need to salvage his reputation than to polish the one that is forming now - of being a toady.
Supdog wrote on November 3, 2007 4:25 PM:Allrightythen. You can pretty much count me out of the next election cycle.
Democrats are officially part of the problem, and will never be part of the solution so long as spineless whores like Schumer, Feingold et al bat clean up for sadistic fascists.
They're as bad as Rove: putting party ahead of principle.
ekto wrote on November 3, 2007 4:34 PM:My letter to Sen. Feinstein:
Dear Senator Feinstein:
Richard Joseph wrote on November 3, 2007 4:38 PM:You received my vote last year: you will not again.
I understand that, as a conservative Democrat, you would not always vote the way I would prefer, but I am also aware that your long service to San Francisco, California, and the nation has always been heartfelt, and that in general I would have rather seen you as California Senator than your opponents, both Democrat and Republican. Following your endorsement of the nomination of Judge Mukasey for US Attorney General, that is no longer the case.
I, too, believe that Judge Mukasey is, in the main, a man of personal integrity, and that, in other circumstances, he would make a fine Attorney General. However, the years of the Bush presidency have been exceptional, and Alberto Gonzales' successor must be of exceptional integrity to rectify his predecessor's failings, and possible criminal acts, that you have justly criticized during his tenure.
It is apparent, however, that Judge Mukasey has kowtowed to the Administration's fear of prosecution for criminal violations of all kinds--not just Gonzales'--and in fact to their fear of prosecution for war crimes. This country prosecuted a Japanese soldier in 1947 for waterboarding as a WAR CRIME. That Judge Mukasey is unwilling to admit that waterboarding is still a WAR CRIME in 2007 indicates that he intends to shield this Administration from the legal consequences of its actions. That is not enforcing the law--that is overthrowing it.
Consequently, he does not deserve to be Attorney General of this once-great nation, and you no longer deserve the support of the voters of California for endorsing him.
Very sincerely,
Insert real name here
Until we the people purge the Democratic party of collaborators like Schumer, Feinstein, and Hillary for that matter, along with so many others, there will be no progress and no stopping the descent into tyranny.
Supdog wrote on November 3, 2007 4:39 PM:Feinstein's statement illustrates perfectly why our "party and a half" political system sucks:
"I believe that Judge Mukasey is the best we will get and voting him down would only perpetuate acting and recess appointments, allowing the Administration to avoid the transparency that confirmation hearings provide and diminish effective oversight by Congress."
So what? Force a recess appointment, you friggin invertebrates. Take a stand...you know how do that, right? Step one: get off your knees.
If these clowns are so %@#king in love with expediency, then why debate anything? Why even work for government when clearly there are so many managerial positions in fast food that cry out for skills such as this...
Evadt wrote on November 3, 2007 4:43 PM:“… It is generally acknowledged that the confirmation process no longer works, and Bush and his nominees took full advantage of its weaknesses. The confirmation process broke down… because the Bushing [II] Administration learned the wrong lesson from the failed Bork nomination. It decided it could still nominate extremists, as long as their views were not well known… This was the widely held view, even though neither Republicans nor Democrats were very sure where Roberts stood on many issues. It was clear, in any case, that he was every bit as conservative as the man whose seat he was hoping to assume, William Rehnquist. Roberts was also telegenic, articulate, personable, and impeccably prepared at his confirmation hearing: He provided what sounded like valid answers to the questions but effectively volunteered little about his beliefs that was not already know. As a sophisticated Supreme Court practitioner, he knew how to walk around or jump over the potential land mines during a confirmation, and on September 22, the Senate Judiciary Committee sent the Roberts nomination to the full Senate by a vote of 13 to 5, with Democratic senators Ted Kennedy, Richard Durbin, Charles Schumer, Joe Biden, and Dian Feinstein opposing the nomination.”
— BROKEN GOVERNMENT: How Republican Rule Destroyed the Legislative, Executive, and Judicial Branches / by John W. Dean.
Evadt wrote on November 3, 2007 4:48 PM:Sorry 'bout the typos.
Vote Green for Real Change wrote on November 3, 2007 4:59 PM:It is great to see so many progressives finally getting a taste for the real Democratic Party. We are trying to get Mr. Nader to run again and hope he will. If enough of you let him know you support him it could help him make up his mind. Progressives need a home where they are taken seriously, where they are the mainstream. As the last year has proven over and over again that is not the Democratic Party.
Nope wrote on November 3, 2007 5:10 PM:Sorry, Nader won't cut it. Too full of himself!
JSinAZ wrote on November 3, 2007 5:51 PM:Official A: "It is possible to disapprove of what many perceive to be Israel-centric U.S.foreign policy without being an anti-Semite."
This is an honest question: has there been any, even the slightest, hint that there is some AIPAC nexus even remotely associated with the Mukasey nomination? If there has been, I have missed it (I have been out of the country in Europe for the last week, so I am not being facetious with this question).
Personally, I have heard of none. Please give a link if possible to some news somewhere that might illustrate this connection.
If there is none, then I stand by my intimation that leaping to the association between Chuck, Di, and the nominee based on ethnic heritage smells like assumed bias to me, and that smell has been in the air before in some really awful places and times.
Official A wrote on November 3, 2007 6:29 PM:JSinAZ,
See
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/2007/11/rice_to_face_subpoena_in_spy_c.php
and
http://www.antiwar.com/orig/gsmith.php?articleid=9517
for starters, and Google for more if you wish. I'm not saying there's definitely a conspiracy, just that it's fair to question.
Anonymous wrote on November 3, 2007 7:05 PM:OK, I read the articles through the links provided, and see no connection to Mukasey nomination at all, unless you wish to construct scenarios of Mukasey working at DoJ / AG to quash subpoenas in the upcoming AIPAC lobbyist espionage trials.
Frankly, I don't see any relationship to this scenario and the ethnicity of the nominee (much less the ethnicity of Chuck and Di which is what this post and this conversation has lead to), unless you are suggesting that Mukasey is a mole planted to operate under the nose of the Administration to accomplish this mission.
Do you really think this scenario is reasonable/rational enough such that it is really "fair to question" the loyalty of the nominee to the United States?
To me, this seems like some pretty tall cloud-castles are being built, and some really nasty insinuations are being made with no rational basis at all.
So no, I would say that it is blatantly unfair to question, and doing so in this context comes pretty close to the very defini