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 (AP) - President Bush, seeking to avert a possible
confirmation fight over a more partisan candidate, chose retired
federal judge Michael B. Mukasey Monday to replace Attorney General
Alberto Gonzales. 

"Judge Mukasey is clear-eyed about the threat
our nation faces," Bush said.

      If confirmed by the Senate, Mukasey, who has handled terrorism
cases for more than a decade, would become Bush's third attorney
general. 

Bush said that as chief judge of the busy U.S. District
Court for the Southern District of New York, Mukasey presided over
high-profile national security cases.

      "He knows what it takes to fight this war effectively and he
knows how to do it in a manner consistent with our laws and our
Constitution," Bush said, standing next Mukasey in the Rose
Garden.

      Bush urged the Senate to quickly confirm Mukasey.

      If Mukasey gets a nod from the Senate, he would take charge of a
Justice Department where morale is low following months of
investigations into the firings of nine U.S. attorneys and
Gonzales' sworn testimony on the Bush administration's terrorist
surveillance program.

      Mukasey said he was honored to be Bush's nominee to take the
helm of the department.


      "My finest hope and prayer at this time is that if confirmed I
can give them the support and the leadership they deserve," he
said.

      "I look forward to meeting with members of Congress in the days
ahead and, if confirmed, to working with Congress to meeting our
nation's challenges," Mukasey said, just before shaking the
president's hand and walking back with him into the Oval Office.


      There had been rampant speculation that Bush might turn to
former Solicitor General Ted Olson for the job, but key Democrats
on Capitol Hill said they believed Olson too partisan a figure and
indicated they would fight his nomination.

      Senate Democrats declared no outright opposition to Mukasey's
nomination. But they made clear that there would be no confirmation
hearings until the administration answers outstanding questions
about the White House's role in the firings of federal prosecutors
over the winter.

      "Our focus now will be on securing the relevant information we
need so we can proceed to schedule fair and thorough hearings,"
said Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., the chairman of the Senate
Judiciary Committee. "Cooperation from the White House will be
essential in determining that schedule."

      Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said he believes the president
listened to Congress and decided against a more partisan
replacement for Gonzales. 

He said Mukasey had "strong professional
credentials and a reputation for independence."

      "A man who spent 18 years on the federal bench surely
understands the importance of checks and balances and knows how to
say no to the president when he oversteps the Constitution," said
Reid, D-Nev. "But there should be no rush to judgment. The Senate
Judiciary Committee must carefully examine Judge Mukasey's views on
the complex legal challenges facing the nation."

      Mukasey's family joined the nominee at the announcement, staged
under sunny skies on the White House lawn.

      Mukasey, chosen in large part for his experience in national
security matters, noted the threat of terrorism in his brief
remarks. 

"Thirty five years ago, our foreign adversaries saw
widespread devastation as a deterrent," he said. "Today, our
fanatical enemies see it as a divine fulfillment."

      Bush gave a quick, final nod to the departed attorney general,
Gonzales, who resigned after months of turmoil and accusations of
mismanagement.

      "I've known Al and his family for more than a decade," Bush
said. "He's a dear friend and a trusted adviser."


      Until a new attorney general is confirmed by the Senate, Bush
said, Assistant Attorney General Peter D. Keisler will serve as
acting attorney general. Keisler oversaw the Bush administration's
lengthy legal fight over the rights of terrorism war-era prisoners
at Guantanamo Bay.

      Keisler had announced his resignation from the department in
early September. He had been nominated by Bush earlier in the year
for a seat on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of
Columbia Circuit. The Senate has not acted on Keisler's nomination.

      Bush said that Keisler had agreed to stay on at the Justice
Department, which will allow Solicitor General Paul Clement to
focus on his duties as the government's chief advocate as the
Supreme Court nears the opening of its new fall term.

      Before taking charge of the Justice Department's Civil Division
in 2003, Keisler was a principal deputy associate attorney general
and acting associate attorney general. He came to the department
from the Washington law firm of Sidley Austin Brown & Wood.

Gallery

Gonzales resigns as attorney general

Heffelfinger has mixed emotions on Gonzales resignation

Coleman  joins in call for Gonzales resignation

Crime, Law and Justice

Politics and Government News

President Bush, seeking to avert a possible
confirmation fight over a more partisan candidate, chose retired
federal judge Michael B. Mukasey Monday to replace Attorney General
Alberto Gonzales. Midday discusses the president's choice.


President Bush, seeking to avert a possible
confirmation fight over a more partisan candidate, chose retired
federal judge Michael B. Mukasey Monday to replace Attorney General
Alberto Gonzales. Midday discusses the president's choice.

Bush chooses retired judge as new attorney general

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