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Mukasey nomination goes forward Mukasey nomination goes forward
(about 2 hours later)
A US Senate committee has approved Michael Mukasey as attorney general despite his refusal to denounce simulated drowning as unlawful torture.A US Senate committee has approved Michael Mukasey as attorney general despite his refusal to denounce simulated drowning as unlawful torture.
The panel sent President George W Bush's nomination of the retired judge to the full Senate, where it is expected to be confirmed next week.The panel sent President George W Bush's nomination of the retired judge to the full Senate, where it is expected to be confirmed next week.
Mr Bush's selection of Mr Mukasey to replace former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales initially drew broad support.Mr Bush's selection of Mr Mukasey to replace former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales initially drew broad support.
But Mr Mukasey stirred controversy over remarks on so-called water-boarding.But Mr Mukasey stirred controversy over remarks on so-called water-boarding.
The US has not said whether it uses the controversial interrogation technique.The US has not said whether it uses the controversial interrogation technique.
'Repugnant''Repugnant'
The Judiciary Committee voted to advance Mr Mukasey's nomination by 11 votes against eight.The Judiciary Committee voted to advance Mr Mukasey's nomination by 11 votes against eight.
All of the Republicans on the Committee voted in favour of Mr Mukasey, while all but two of the Democrats on the panel opposed the nomination.All of the Republicans on the Committee voted in favour of Mr Mukasey, while all but two of the Democrats on the panel opposed the nomination.
The support of the two Democrats - Senators Charles Schumer and Barbara Boxer - was crucial in allowing Mr Mukasey's nomination to go forward. The support of the two Democrats - Senators Charles Schumer and Dianne Feinstein - was crucial in allowing Mr Mukasey's nomination to go forward.
"If we block Judge Mukasey's nomination and then learn in six months that water-boarding has continued unabated, that victory will seem much less valuable, " wrote Senator Schumer."If we block Judge Mukasey's nomination and then learn in six months that water-boarding has continued unabated, that victory will seem much less valuable, " wrote Senator Schumer.
Mr Mukasey, 66, has presided over a number of high-profile terror trials and is seen as an independent-minded conservative.Mr Mukasey, 66, has presided over a number of high-profile terror trials and is seen as an independent-minded conservative.
But he provoked criticism from Democrats during his confirmation hearing by saying he was not familiar with water-boarding and could not say if it was torture.But he provoked criticism from Democrats during his confirmation hearing by saying he was not familiar with water-boarding and could not say if it was torture.
He later sought to allay concerns with a letter calling water-boarding "repugnant".He later sought to allay concerns with a letter calling water-boarding "repugnant".
The technique simulates drowning by immobilising a prisoner with his head lower than his feet and pouring water over his face.The technique simulates drowning by immobilising a prisoner with his head lower than his feet and pouring water over his face.
Mr Mukasey is set to fill the vacancy created when former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales resigned amid allegations that his department had become overly politicised.Mr Mukasey is set to fill the vacancy created when former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales resigned amid allegations that his department had become overly politicised.