Wisconsin Senators Herb Kohl and Russ Feingiold voted against the Bush administration's pick for attorney general Tuesday. Despite the opposition, the nomination of Federal Judge Michael Mukasey squeaked through the Senate Judiciary Committee on an 11-8 vote.
Kohl cited concerns over Mukasey's response to questions about waterboarding, in opposing his nomination to succeed Alberto Gonzalaz. “Judge Mukasey refused to say whether waterboarding is torture,” said Kohl. “He added that he did not know what waterboarding is.” Kohl called that answer “deeply troubling,” reflecting “a willingness to protect the administration, rather than being an independent voice within it.”
Feingold also voted to oppose Mukasey, and like Kohl he cited concerns over waterboarding: “if Judge Mukasey won't say the simple truth, that this barbaric practice is torture, how can we count on him to stand up to the White House on other issues?” Mukasey's nomination is expected to be confirmed by the full Senate.