Being the knee-jerk liberal that I am, a small “what?!” escaped my lips this morning when I read that Schumer (D-NY) and Feinstein (D-CA) would support Bush’s nominee for Attorney General, virually assuring success in both the Judiciary Committee and the full Senate.
Reading Schumer’s rationale, however, I have to agree with him. And it’s not just because he doesn’t make his bed.
If the Senate refuses Mukasey, Bush could appoint yet another interim Attorney General without Senate approval. He could appoint someone horrible and coast to the finish line, waterboarding everyone in sight. Schumer said:
When an administration, so political, so out of touch with the realities of governing and so contemptuous of the rule of law is in charge, we are never left with an ideal choice. Judge Mukasey is not my ideal choice. However, Judge Mukasey, whose integrity and independence is respected even by those who oppose him, is far better than anyone could expect from this administration.
They’re expecting something like a 70-30 split in the Senate if Mukasey’s nomination gets there. I don’t think there’s much profit to be had should Reid attempt to block it.
Schumer’s right - the devil you know’s better than the devil you never approved and have no control over.
The job of these Democrats I’ve been saying since before the midterm elections is to protect us from the Administration. They’re not doing that amazingly, to be sure, but this is a situation of least bad. If they can prevent anything utterly ridiculous from happening - say, oh I don’t know, invading Iran - I think we have to view this Congress as a success. Imagine what’d be going on with a Republican majority.
Also, Schumer blatantly steals George Miller’s cereal, and that’s adorable.
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