WASHINGTON - Retired New York Federal Judge Michael Mukasey is all set to be appointed as the new Attorney General replacing Alberto Gonzales, media reports have indicated.
It is reported that Mukasey is considered to be a "consensus candidate" and that Democrats seem to be in favor of him. Democratic Sen. Charles Schumer (N.Y.) appears to be in favor of Mukasey and President Bush is expected to make an announcement to this effect sometime today.
"While he is certainly conservative, Judge Mukasey seems to be the kind of nominee who would put rule of law first and show independence from the White House, our most important criteria," Sen. Schumer said yesterday.
The 66-year-old Mukasey was first appointed to the federal bench by President Ronald Reagan in 1987. He was chief judge for six years before he retired last year. He is currently a partner in a New York law firm.
Mukasey is thought to be a close ally of 2008 Presidential hopeful Rudy Giuliani and he was the one who swore the former New York Mayor in. Mukasey presided over many famous trials including the one of Sheik Omar Abdel-Rahman, the alleged terrorist who was thought to have plotted destroying all City landmarks.
Mukasey will need to be approved by the Senate should he be nominated by Bush.
