Chuck Schumer: “Again, if the issue is torture alone, we clearly will be as bad off as we are today with a caretaker. We may-- not will…”

“Again, if the issue is torture alone, we clearly will be as bad off as we are today with a caretaker. We may-- not will, maybe not even likely--have a chance, a decent chance of being better with Mukasey than with the alternative. And as with Comey and Goldsmith, no, Mukasey will not have our views particularly on issues of security. No one this President nominates will. That is why we are working so hard to get a new President with different views. But on issues of the rule of law and independence and integrity, Judge Mukasey will clearly be much better than others. I wish to say this to my colleagues, a vast majority of my colleagues who oppose this nomination: I respect their views. I understand the anger and the anguish about what this administration has done to that beautiful lady who stands in the harbor of the city in which I live. I share that anguish. I share it. Unfortunately, we are in a world where this administration will continue for another 14 months. Let me ask my colleagues to think about this: Let's say we reject Judge Mukasey tonight and the caretaker is installed, and 6 months from now the exact same policies we abhor continue. Will this have been a great victory? I understand the importance of standing up to the President. Few would accuse me of not doing that. And I understand the importance of symbolic victory. But this is a tough choice because there is a lot at stake on the other side.”