WASHINGTON - Attorney General Michael Mukasey appointed a prosecutor Monday to pursue possible criminal charges against Republicans who were involved in the controversial firings of U.S. attorneys.
His move follows the leading recommendation of a Justice Department investigation that harshly criticized Bush administration officials, members of Congress and their aides for the ousters, which were seen by many as politically motivated.
Results of the investigation were made public Monday. The 300-page report singled out the removal of U.S. Attorney David Iglesias of New Mexico - among nine prosecutors who were fired - as the most troubling.
Joe Lieberman, on the Senate floor just moments ago:
"To reject the nomination of Judge Michael Mukasey because he refuses to say what some members want him to say on this question, and he refuses as a matter of sincerely held legal belief...would be grossly unfair, an unjust act to this judge. May I suggest an alternative course...confirm him!"
Of course, lots of folks would argue that "this question" -- i.e., whether waterboarding is torture -- is kind of an important one.
Bush's apparent nominee to replace Gonzales at Justice seems to have given to precisely two candidates since retiring as a federal judge in June 2006: Rudy Giuliani (whose campaign he is officially advising)... and one Joseph Lieberman (via OpenSecrets.org):
MUKASEY, MICHAEL B - NEW YORK,NY 10021 - PATTERSON, BELNAP, ET AL/ATTORNEY - 9/28/2006 - $1,000 - Lieberman, Joe
MUKASEY, MICHAEL B MR - NEW YORK,NY 10021 - PATERSON BELKNAP WEBB & TYLER L.L.P - 6/19/2007 - $1,000 - Giuliani, Rudolph W
MUKASEY, MICHAEL B MR - NEW YORK,NY 10021 - PATERSON BELKNAP WEBB & TYLER L.L.P - 3/13/2007 - $200 - Giuliani, Rudolph W
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