Hillary Waffles On Mukasey Vote

TMP's headline Hillary "Troubled" By Mukasey On Torture, But Won't Rule Out Supporting Him says all you need to know about Hillary Clinton's greatest weakness. Voting against Michael Mukasey would seem to be a no-brainer for any Democratic Presidential candidate. her spokesman Philippe Reines has announced that "Senator Clinton is deeply troubled by Judge Mukasey's unwillingness to clearly state his views on torture and unchecked executive power," but he refuses to say that Senator Clinton will be voting against the suddenly troubled AG nominee whose views on waterboarding and other torture (er enhanced interrogation) techniques, and the aggregation of power in the executive would seem to simultaneously cast him as a good fit with the Decider's administration and disqualify him from any position of power in any civilized democracy.

TPM's commenter Michael snarks "Her majesty has spoken. Can't wait to see how the staffers spin this one. Uh, how do you spell waffle? Can she take a stand on ANYTHING? Wow, what a leader. When's the coronation?"

Well I guess today's indecision is going to last until she gets the results of the 3rd focus group.

Tonight's debate might be very interesting.

UPDATE: Hillary has issued a press release saying that she will oppose Mukasey.

The full release is after the break. Thanks Deb.






October 30, 2007

Statement of Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton on Her Opposition to the Nomination of Judge Michael Mukasey to be Attorney General of the United States

We need an Attorney General who has the strength to challenge this Administration when it is wrong, who is committed to reestablishing the independence of the Department of Justice and to restoring respect for the Constitution and the rule of law. I am deeply troubled by Judge Mukasey’s continued unwillingness to clearly state his views on torture and unchecked Executive power.

The Attorney General is the chief defender of the rule of law in our country. After Alberto Gonzales's troubled tenure, we cannot send a signal that the next Attorney General in any way condones torture or believes that the President is unconstrained by law. When we leave any doubt about our nation’s policy on torture, we send a terrible message to the rest of the world. Judge Mukasey has been given ample opportunity – both at his confirmation hearings and in his subsequent submission to the Judiciary Committee – to clarify his answers and categorically oppose the unacceptable interrogation techniques employed by this Administration. His failure to do so leaves me no choice but to oppose his nomination.

We need to restore the nation’s confidence in the Department of Justice. The Department must once again defend our Constitution and the rule of law without regard to ideology and partisanship. And we need to protect the country from terrorism while also respecting Americans’ civil liberties.