Patrick Leahy: “I have worked with Mike Chertoff and appreciate his background as a prosecutor. He is very capable. He works hard. What…”

“I have worked with Mike Chertoff and appreciate his background as a prosecutor. He is very capable. He works hard. What one sees when you consider his career is that much of the time he acts as a consummate professional in our best tradition. Although there have been times when he has shown partisanship in an apparent effort to "earn his spurs" with those on the extreme right, it is my hope and expectation that he will bring his better angels with him as he embarks on his new role as Secretary of the Office of Homeland Security. That is not a position that needs or deserves even a hint of partisanship. Indeed, one of the moments that marred Secretary Ridge's tenure was when he stepped out of character to make a blatantly partisan pitch during the run-up to the recent presidential election.”