“It is unconscionable that Judge Mukasey would even have to think about whether waterboarding and other torture techniques should be used by the United States,” Merkley said. “Oregonians hoped that the departure of Alberto Gonzales would put the question of torture finally to rest.”
Jim Rassmann, a former Army Green Beret and co-chair of Veterans for Merkley expressed his outrage at Mukasey’s equivocation. “Any Senator who votes for this nomination should be drummed out of office,” he said. “The U.S. should be an example in the world. But this administration, backed by supporters like Gordon Smith, has damaged our reputation around the world almost beyond repair. Confirmation of Mr. Mukasey would be a continuing disaster.” {emph mine}
Why would we expect these things from Gordon Smith? When he gets an order from Mitch McConnell on how to vote, that's how he votes. It's so much easier than having to think for yourself. And it leaves a lot more time for golfing!
It just goes to show how valuable an undistinguished, unprincipled backbencher can be in the Senate.
Let's make sure all the voters know where Gordon Smith, member of the party of "family values", stands on torture:
(I have to say honestly it's not altogether prudent for Merkley OR Novick to take on Chuck Schumer just now, but there is some merit in seeking an alternative way to display your disagreement (as both men should and I presume do), perhaps by refusing money from his PAC. Schumer's vote through committee and (again, one presumes) Yea vote on the floor are pathetic pass-through capitulations. But Merkley can't bite the hand that almost literally feeds him, and Novick wants to avoid being the high draft pick who calls out the coach before he even has a contract.
This move obviously would hurt Merkley more, but it's getting to the point where somebody, sometime has to stand on principle for once. What's happening with Mukasey is simply absurd and appalling. Novick has called on Democrats generally not to cave, can't say as I've seen something from Merkley yet (could be wrong). Reid has said Mukasey will get a no vote from him; will they filibuster?
Heh--sorry for piggybacking on your thread, Darrel. - promoted by torridjoe)
Maybe it's just me, but if I was a Senate candidate who believed that waterboarding was torture and that Attorney General nominee Michael Mukasey didn't satisfy my conscience that he would not only consider it as such but that he would vigorously investigate and prosecute any allegations of torture by whatever methods used to interrogate prisoners who are (or have been) in US custody, I just might not take calls from Democratic Senate Campaign Committee chairman Sen. Chuck "Yea!" Schumer, even if he'd promised me bags of cash.
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