[NYTr] Bush Pick for Atty General Retired NY Federal Judge

[All the News That Doesn't Fit]

NY Daily News - Sep 17, 2007
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/2007/09/17/2007-09-17_bush_names_retired_ny_federal_judge_as_a.html

Bush names retired N.Y. federal judge as AG

DAILY NEWS STAFF

President Bush today nominated retired New York Federal Judge Michael
Mukasey, a close ally of Rudy Giuliani, to replace Alberto Gonzales as
attorney general.

"Judge Mukasey is clear-eyed about the threat our nation faces," Bush
said in announcing his choice at a Rose Garden news conference.

During his 18 years as a judge, Mukasey presided over thousands of
cases, including the trial of Sheik Omar Abdel-Rahman, Mukasey
sentenced the blind sheik to life in prison for plotting to destroy New
York City landmarks.

"He knows what it takes to fight this war effectively and he knows how
to do it in a manner consistent with our laws and our Constitution,"
Bush said.

Mukasey, 66, currently serves as a judicial adviser to Giuliani. If his
nomination is confirmed by the Senate, he will cut ties with the
Republican ex-mayor's presidential campaign, White House spokeswoman
Dana Perino said.

Mukasey said he would be honored to take over the Justice Department,
where morale has been in the basement following months of
investigations into the firings of nine U.S. attorneys and Gonzales'
sworn testimony on the Bush administration’s terrorist surveillance
program.

"My finest hope and prayer at this time is that if confirmed I can give
them the support and the leadership they deserve," Mukasey said.

"I look forward to meeting with members of Congress in the days ahead
and, if confirmed, to working with Congress to meeting our nation's
challenges," he said.

In Mukasey, who would be Bush's third attorney general, the President
seems to have tapped a candidate who is likely to get a Senate nod
without a bruising confirmation battle.

"While he is certainly conservative, Judge Mukasey seems to be the kind
of nominee who would put rule of law first and show independence from
the White House — our most important criteria," said Sen. Chuck Schumer
(D-N.Y.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Reactions to the nomination of Michael Mukasey (AP)

"Our focus now will be on securing the relevant information we need so
we can proceed to schedule fair and thorough hearings. Cooperation from
the White House will be essential in determining that schedule."

Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

"It is very important to act promptly and not get snarled in the
requests that are outstanding."

Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa.

"I'm glad President Bush listened to Congress and put aside his plan to
replace Alberto Gonzales with another partisan administration insider.
Judge Mukasey has strong professional credentials and a reputation for
independence. ... But there should be no rush to judgment."

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev.

"The president could not have picked a person with greater integrity
than Michael Mukasey to be the next attorney general. As in everything
Michael does, he will meet and exceed all expectations in his new role."

GOP presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani, whom Mukasey currently serves
as a judicial adviser.

"Our next attorney general must respect the Constitution and the rule
of law, and it is my hope that during his confirmation hearings Judge
Mukasey demonstrates that he will continue his years of able public
service to restore these principles to the Department of Justice."

Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., Democratic presidential candidate.

"As there is a pressing need for Judge Mukasey's leadership in
hastening the restoration of morale at the Justice Department, neither
he nor the nation deserves to have his nomination process become a
proxy battle between the White House and Democrat leaders."

Rep. Adam Putnam, R-Fla.

"To hasten an attitude of confrontation when the White House has taken
a step forward would be a mistake."

Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.

"He will bring honor to the post and ensure that the Department of
Justice remains dedicated to upholding the rule of law and ensuring the
'fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans."'

Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz.

"The new attorney general must make it a top priority to repair the
damage done by Alberto Gonzales. To that end, Judge Mukasey must
demonstrate that his first loyalty will be to the rule of law, not to
the president."

Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wis.

"In recent months, my Democratic colleagues have loudly voiced their
belief that partisan politics has no place at the Department of
Justice. With today's nomination and forthcoming confirmation process
of Judge Mukasey, they will have an opportunity to demonstrate that."

Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas.

"He is exactly the kind of highly regarded, widely respected person
that the president promised he would nominate. Now, the Democrats must
fulfill their own promise to give him a swift and fair hearing and vote
on the floor of the Senate."

GOP chairman Sen. Mel Martinez, R-Fla., and Republican National
Committee Chairman Mike Duncan.

"The next attorney general will have to be an independent and
incorruptible lawyer, a strong leader and a skilled manager to begin to
right the ship. I look forward to the confirmation process to learn
whether Judge Mukasey is that person."

Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass.

"It is my hope that this nomination will be approved quickly by the
Senate, which would allow the Department of Justice to continue
conducting the business of the American people and for the department
and the nation to move forward."

Rep. Candice Miller, R-Mich.

With News Wire Services