Bush Criticizes Mukasey Inquisitors

Senators asked AG nominee 'unfair questions' on torture
By Zach Samalin,  Newser Staff
Posted Nov 1, 2007 1:39 PM CDT
Bush Criticizes Mukasey Inquisitors
President Bush, right, announces his choice for attorney general, retired federal judge Michael Mukasey, left, to replace Alberto Gonzales, Monday, Sept. 17, 2007, in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)   (Associated Press)

Interrogation techniques held the spotlight today as President Bush accused Senate Democrats of asking attorney general nominee Michael Mukasey "unfair" questions about waterboarding and torture. Bush claimed Mukasey "doesn't know whether we use that technique or not," and lauded the candidate for not telling "an enemy what we're doing," the Washington Post reports.

But Bush's "loose lips sink ships" policy is unlikely to satisfy the Judiciary Committee, and Mukasey's Democratic detractors are growing more vocal. "Will we join that gloomy historical line leading from the Inquisition through gulags and dark cells?" asked Sheldon Whitehouse. As it stands, Mukasey needs just one Democrat's support to proceed to a full Senate vote. (More Michael Mukasey stories.)

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