Attorney general nominee opposed
Friday, 02 Nov 2007 10:08
Mukasey refused to define water-boarding as torture.
US president George Bush has come to the defence of his nominee for attorney general nominee after Michael Mukasey's views on torture were criticised.
Mr Mukasey, a retired federal judge, is to face the senate judiciary committee on Tuesday ahead of a vote to decide whether to advance his nomination to the full Senate for confirmation.
But many Senate Democrats have said they will oppose his confirmation due to his refusal to classify the "water-boarding" interrogation technique as torture.
The technique simulates drowning by immobilising a detainee with his head lower than his feet and pouring water over his face.
Mr Mukasey provided a written answer to the Senate committee, calling water-boarding "repugnant" and possibly "over the line", but refused to explicitly rule define the practice as torture.
Mr Bush told reporters yesterday that Mr Mukasey was "not being treated fairly" by being questioned on techniques on which he has not been briefed, but Democrats have reacted angrily.
Senate member Dick Durbin said he would oppose the confirmation, explaining:: "As good as a person may be, his response to this question, this basic and fundamental question... leaves me with no alternative but to oppose Judge Mukasey's nomination."
And Senator Sheldon Whitehouse explained that refusing to rule out water-boarding as "unconditionally wrong" could allow US agencies to use the technique.
Mr Bush confirmed Mukasey's nomination in September, saying he was "clear-eyed about the threat our nation faces" and an ideal replacement for Alberto Gonzales, who resigned in August.