Schumer's vote

For someone so vocal about the Bush administration, Senator Schumer has been remarkably undecided about Michael Mukasey since the man's poor showing in the second day of confirmation hearings. 

Like Leahy, Schumer gave strong support to the Mukasey nomination in the beginning.  By day two of the hearings, other senators (including Republicans) began to shrink back in distaste as Mukasey made it clear that he was a flawed -- a morally wobbly -- candidate.  So far, Schumer has decided to hang in there on behalf of his fellow New Yorker even as all but one other Democrat pulled back in dismay.

"From this administration, we will never get somebody who agrees with us on issues like torture and wiretapping," Schumer said at one point, suggesting an argument in favor of Mukasey, who faces a Senate Judiciary Committee vote on Tuesday. "The best thing we can hope for is someone who will depoliticize the Justice Department and put rule of law first." ...

... During yesterday's telephone interview, Schumer said that his decision will hinge largely on whether he believes Mukasey would be independent of the White House. He said that was "called into question" by some of Mukasey's views.

Schumer is probably the only Democratic senator who doesn't see Mukasey as wholly in the White House's pocket.

"The question is whether he will show the requisite independence," Schumer said. ...

Didn't Chuck Schumer, who's not a stupid man, notice the startling difference between day one and two of the hearings?  Didn't he conclude -- with the rest of the nation -- that interference from the White House is the likely explanation for that sudden change in the weather?

Schumer's colleagues are keenly aware of his awkward position. In announcing his opposition to Mukasey on Wednesday, Majority Whip Richard J. Durbin (D-Ill.) said he could not predict the outcome of the close vote and noted the undecided posture of Schumer, with whom Durbin lives in a group house of Democrats. "I haven't polled my colleagues, including the one I live with," Durbin said.

Some Republicans, meanwhile, are openly chortling at Schumer's dilemma.

Senators Schumer and Feinstein will determine whether Mukasey becomes attorney general.  If they vote against him, the nomination will not leave the Judiciary Committee and will die.  If they vote for him, it will go to the Senate floor and almost surely be approved.  Their positions would cost them -- and the country -- dearly.

Comments

[Dan]

Feinstein has played footsie with Bush all year so if she votes yes it will just be her latest action on behalf of the Lieberman Caucus. What's up with Schumer though? Is intrastate loyalty that big a deal? I feel like we're not getting an important part of the picture. It doesn't add up.

[ken melvin]

Schumer and DiFi will vote to confirm. They can't get out of their skin.

[ken melvin]

Schumer and DiFi will vote to confirm. They can't get out of their skin.