October 17, 2007
Posted: 02:03 PM ET

Michael Mukasey prepares to testify before a Senate committee on his nomination for attorney general.

WASHINGTON (CNN) — Attorney General-designate Michael Mukasey made it clear to senators Wednesday that he would be independent of the White House and would make legal decisions based "on facts and law, not by interests and motives."

Mukasey, appearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee, said he would resign from office if ever faced with a presidential order he believed was unconstitutional.

He said he does not believe the president has legal authority to approve torture techniques for use on terror suspects, something former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales refused to say.

Full story

Filed under: Michael Mukasey


D. Endo, Honolulu HI   October 17th, 2007 6:59 pm ET

He's talking the talk. Can he walk the walk. Let see if he's got the stones to actually stand up to this corrupt administration. His test is going to be whether he'd get some special prosecutors in place to investigate the true corruption in this administration. He needs to go after Gonzo, Cheney and the corporate puppeteers like Halliburton and Blackwater. I'll believe it when I see it.

Anonymous   October 17th, 2007 6:31 pm ET

Anyone, I repeat ANYONE that Bush recommends for the office of Attorney General must be a bad choice. The Attorney General is his firewall, determining the laws place and determining the next election for President, as Bush's attack dogs will likely go after the eventual nominee with bogus investigations, which is why Gonzo replaced key attorneys in several states, one of which with his own lap dog and protogue Tim Griffen, who at the time was under investigation for election fraud by the US attorney he replaced, David Iglasias.

These guys are all rats through and through. I can't wait until Barack Obama gets in there and sweeps the whole mess out to sea for all to see.

Disgusting.

CJ, Catlettsburg, Ky   October 17th, 2007 5:46 pm ET

Well, I see Michael Mukasey is talking the talk of justice, but can he be so BOLD as to face this administration head on and walk the walk which he so convincingly speaks of? If so, should he begin by filing charges against this administration for lying to the American people and invading a country under false pretenses, for illegal wiretapping on citizens of the US, for holding people against their will without charging them for anything all in the interest of national security while allowing thousands of illegal immigrants to remain in our country illegally crossing our unclosed borders and not abiding by our laws, for releasing classified information relating to someone in the CIA so as to blow a cover, for selling out our sovereignty as a great nation and jeopardizing our national security by supporting the Security and Prosperity Partnership to form a North American Union with Canada and Mexico accepting the AMERO as our monetary exchange, for undermining our sovereignty as a nation and jeopardizing our national security by supporting the Law of the Sea Treaty, and yes above all, let us not forget that he wishes immunity for all people in his administration should they ever be found guilty of any wrongdoing, and the list goes on and on? Oh dear, with all the injustices created by this administration, this man is looking at a 24/7 job. Does he really have the audacity to stand up to the very people who have recommended him or is he merely another performer in the George Bush Puppet Show?

Wynter, Loudon, NH   October 17th, 2007 5:31 pm ET

While these appointments are proposed by the White House, it would be in the country's best interest if they were all legally obligated to remain independence from interference from the White House. They should not be "managed" as a member of the administration. But they should be subject to congressional oversight.

Telling it like I see it,
Wynter

laurinda,ny   October 17th, 2007 5:04 pm ET

Personally I wouldn't trust him. He has a very dishonest look about him which leads me to believe that he is not the right man for the job. I say kick him to the curb!

Manq, Los Angeles, CA   October 17th, 2007 4:12 pm ET

Will anyone in government stand for the Constitution before we elect Dr. Paul?

Comments have been closed for this article

subscribe RSS Icon
About The Ticker

The latest political news from CNN's Best Political Team, with campaign coverage, 24-7. Sign up for our twice daily Ticker emails. Got a news tip or feedback? For complete political coverage, bookmark CNNPolitics.com.

CNN=Politics Screensaver

CNN=Politics ScreensaverTap into the power of The Situation Room. Download this powerful new tool that keeps you posted on the latest political news from the campaign trail.
Download (4.1 MB, PC only)

Follow us on Twitter

CNN on TwitterGet Ticker updates the moment they appear online via the Web, SMS, or instant messages.
Follow politicalticker

Categories
CNN Comment Policy: CNN encourages you to add a comment to this discussion. You may not post any unlawful, threatening, libelous, defamatory, obscene, pornographic or other material that would violate the law. Please note that CNN makes reasonable efforts to review all comments prior to posting and CNN may edit comments for clarity or to keep out questionable or off-topic material. All comments should be relevant to the post and remain respectful of other authors and commenters. By submitting your comment, you hereby give CNN the right, but not the obligation, to post, air, edit, exhibit, telecast, cablecast, webcast, re-use, publish, reproduce, use, license, print, distribute or otherwise use your comment(s) and accompanying personal identifying information via all forms of media now known or hereafter devised, worldwide, in perpetuity. CNN Privacy Statement.
Home  |  World  |  U.S.  |  Politics  |  Entertainment  |  Health  |  Tech  |  Travel  |  Living  |  Business  |  Sports  |  Time.com
Podcasts  |  Blogs  |  CNN Mobile  |  Preferences |  Email Alerts  |  CNN Radio  |  CNN Shop  |  Site Map
© 2008 Cable News Network LP, LLLP. A Time Warner Company. All Rights Reserved.
Powered by WordPress.com