Senator Chuck Schumer [D-NY], "who was [Judge] Mukasey's chief Democratic sponsor" for Attorney General and recommended him to President Bush in the first place made the "difficult decision"to support Judge Mukasey late today. Senator Schumer almost caved into pressure from liberal groups on his own choice! See excerpts from the story below or click the link above for the whole story.

"Michael Mukasey drew closer to becoming attorney general Friday after two key Senate Democrats said they would vote for him despite his refusal to say whether waterboarding is torture.

"The decision by Sens. Charles Schumer and Dianne Feinstein to back President Bush's nominee came shortly after the chairman of the committee, Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., announced he would vote against Mukasey, a former federal judge.

"'This is an extremely difficult decision,' Schumer, D-N.Y., said in a statement, adding that Mukasey 'is not my ideal choice.'"

"But with nine Republicans on the panel, Schumer and Feinstein's support for Mukasey virtually guarantees that a majority of the committee will recommend his confirmation when it votes on it next Tuesday.

"Leaders in both parties have said they expect Mukasey to get at least 70 votes when the full, 100-member Senate votes on his confirmation. But Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., had said he would not bring it up for a vote without Judiciary Committee action first."