| How our Dem or Dem-esque elected officials apply their core beliefs in Congressional action seems to boil down to two relative standards. There's the standard of decision-making that is relative to the US Constitution, and the standard relative to the opposition - sort of a "what's the best we can hope to expect or receive from George Bush and the Republicans" approach. Although there's a time and place for the latter, it's clear that it's not with this president, and not with these republicans. Thankfully, in regards to the nomination of Mukasey to the AG position (and his discouraging - but hardly unexpected - non-answers in his confirmation hearing), Bernie has chosen the Constitutional standard. From his office today: President Bush’s choice to head the Justice Department, Sanders said, holds views on the sweeping powers of the presidency that are at odds with what the framers of our Constitution intended. The nominee also demonstrated at Judiciary Committee confirmation hearings a disregard for civil liberties guaranteed by the Bill of Rights.
“Of course the United States government must do everything that it can to protect the American people from the dangerous threat of terrorism,” Sanders stressed, “but we can do that effectively consistent with the Constitution and the civil liberties it guarantees.
“We need an attorney general who does not believe the president has unlimited power. We need an attorney general who understands that torture is not what this country is about, and we need an attorney general who clearly understands the separation of powers inherent in our Constitution,” Sanders added. “Unfortunately, it is clear that Mr. Mukasey is not that person” |
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