Mukasey Close to Being Confirmed as New Attorney General

The New York Times is reporting that Michael Mukasey has received the endorsement of the Senate Judiciary Committee, which basically guarantees his confirmation for the post of Attorney General. There are major concerns about Mukasey's stance on waterboarding and other methods of 'enhanced interrogation' techniques (he supports them), but it seems that the White House was able to exert just enough pressure on Congress to push its man through (lame duck, my ass). From the article:

"Republicans on the Judiciary Committee praised Mr. Mukasey, a former federal judge in New York City, as eminently qualified to head the Justice Department. Senators Schumer and Feinstein were more qualified in their praise, acknowledging the nominee’s qualifications and declaring that the best qualification is that Mr. Mukasey is not Alberto R. Gonzales, the former attorney general."

Considering that it is highly likely that Mukasey will be the next attorney general, it is probably worthwhile to take another look at the Op-Ed he wrote for the New York Times back in August on the treatment of Jose Padilla. You can find a link here.