The Daily Muck

The Daily Muck

willandpeter | November 9, 2007, 9:46AM

The Senate confirmed Mike Mukasey as the next Attorney General by a vote of 53-40. That's the fewest votes for an AG since 1952. (Washington Post)

The headline says it all: "Justice Department Returns to Enforcing Voter Laws." For the first time since the U.S. Attorney scandal, the agency is showing signs that it will reclaim its legal responsibility to facilitate voter registration for minorities. Despite his tortured statements on interrogation, Attorney General Mike Mukasey has spoken strongly on the need for an independent Justice Department, which is crucial to this type of enforcement. Keep your eyes open. (McClatchy)

Yesterday, the government informed defense attorneys for Omar Khadr (the Canadian terrorism suspect who was shipped to Guantanamo at age fifteen) that they would like to share some evidence relevant to Khadr’s defense – an eyewitness who could exonerate Khadr. The government has known about the eyewitness since 2002 but had classified the witnesses testimony. Even if the testimony exonerates Khadr, experts say that the Pentagon will likely detain Khadr indefinitely as a threat to the U.S. (LA Times)

Hustler Magazine keeps up its holy quest to out hypocritical conservatives. The publication is set to publish a tell-all interview with a New Orleans prostitute who had a relationship with Sen. David Vitter (R-LA). (Huffington Post)

An internal inquiry into FEMA's "press conference" has determined that the press secretary planned the event, coached his employees and made sure to end the briefing on a final, scripted question. He has since resigned (or was that staged too?). (Washington Post)

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The Daily Muck

The Daily Muck

willandpeter | November 8, 2007, 9:42AM

Almost made it. Former New York police commissioner and best-Rudy-buddy Bernie Kerik is expecting an indictment today for tax fraud and corruption. The statute of limitations for the charges would have expired next week. (ABC's The Blotter)

Blackwater is facing a wrongful death suit in Florida from families of three serviceman who died in the crash of a Blackwater aircraft. The families claim that errors by Blackwater employees caused the crash; Blackwater disagrees. But one important party has not weighed into the debate: the U.S. government. Ordinarily, the government will make known its views on such an issue, but the Bush administration has been notably silent. And if you're Blackwater, that silence establishes a scary precedent. Erik Prince weighed in after the government missed its deadline to file, saying, "After the President has said that, as Commander-in-Chief, he is ultimately responsible for contractors on the battlefield it is disappointing that his Administration has been unwilling to make that interest clear before the courts." (Time)

Former Governor George Ryan (R-IL) reports to jail today. Ryan was found guilty of racketeering and fraud, and is headed to prison for six-and-a-half years. (NY Times)

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The Daily Muck

The Daily Muck

willandpeter | November 7, 2007, 9:55AM

Rudy Giuliani, businessman of mystery. The presidential candidate is still closely connected to his firm Giuliani Partners, while the identities of the firm's clients remain a secret. The Wall Street Journal (sub. req.) takes a peek at one known client --the nation of Qatar-- which has a questionable record in counter-terrorism efforts. (WSJ)

Note to the Homeland Security Department (actually, this one kind of goes for everyone): blackface costumes should be avoided. Please don't wear them to office parties. If you are an administrator and you see an employee doing so, please speak to them. Please do not award them with the "Most Original Costume" award. (NY Times, Think Progress)

Just days after Senator Schumer (D-NY) equivocated on proposed legislation to raise taxes on hedge fund titans and firms, the DSCC received a $28,500 gift from a hedge fund manager who earned $1.7 billion last year. Schumer is now “off the fence” and championing keeping taxes low for his wealthy supporters. (Washington Post)

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The Daily Muck

The Daily Muck

willandpeter | November 6, 2007, 9:50AM

Twenty-four intelligence officials are looking for a clarification of Mike Mukasey's definition of definition; they've asked that the Senate Judiciary Committee put a hold on the nomination until the nominee is given an a chance to be appropriately briefed on the classified program. Of course, it doesn't seem like Democrats will continue to take much of a stand on this issue. Sens. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Diane Feinsten (D-CA) sat on their decisions to support Mukasey last week in order to try to avoid too much flack from supporters. (Think Progress, Huffington Post)

Still going nowhere. Hans A. von Spakovsky, Bush’s nominee for a Federal Election Commission post, continues his uphill battle for confirmation. His resume of voter suppression and politicization of the Justice Department made him a star candidate for a recess appointment, but is stalling his nomination. As one former Justice Department attorney said of von Spakovsky, “You can leave the swamp, but you can’t get the mud off you until you take a bath.” (Politico)

Pakistan's burgeoning dictatorship has done what every good failing state does when worried about America's response: it has targeted the lobbyists. With close to $900 million in foreign aid potentially under review, Pakistan wants to make sure that those pesky American lawmakers don't try to hold it accountable for it's recent hiatus from democracy. (Politico)

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The Daily Muck

The Daily Muck

willandpeter | November 5, 2007, 9:49AM

ABC’s “The Blotter” asserts that “only three have been waterboarded.” Make that four, if you include Daniel Levin, the acting assistant attorney general in 2004. Levin, tasked with reworking the administration’s legal position on torture, was so concerned about the use of waterboarding that he took the plunge himself. Levin, who was shocked by the controlled drowning, penned a new memo calling “torture abhorrent,” but stopped short of calling waterboarding either torture or illegal. And, well, the administration quickly replaced him. (ABC “The Blotter,” ABC News)

Having already built and deployed a private army, Blackwater USA is now building its own CIA. Under the guidance of former CIA associate director of operations Robert Richer and the former head of counterterrorism at CIA Cofer Black (think rendition and enhanced interrogation), Total Intelligence Solutions promises to “open doors” for clients around the world. (Washington Post)

A little late to the game. Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA) has decided to vote for Attorney General nominee Mike Mukasey, despite his concerns with Mukasey's answers. (Huffington Post)

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