Nevada’s senators cautious, but not critical of nominee

WASHINGTON -- Both of Nevada's senators on Monday issued cautious statements about President Bush's nomination of Michael Mukasey to be the next attorney general.

Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., said he is still reviewing Mukasey's record, and urged Democrats to keep an open mind about the nomination.

"I call on the Democrats on the (Senate) Judiciary Committee to put aside party politics and give full and fair consideration to Judge Mukasey," Ensign said.

He added, "We need strong leadership at the Department of Justice."

Ensign did not respond directly to a question about whether Mukasey would have to sign off on a new U.S. attorney for Nevada.

Last week, Ensign said the FBI was doing a background check on his U.S. attorney nominee, whose name has not yet been released.

The Review-Journal last week, citing unnamed sources, reported Ensign's choice is Greg Brower, general counsel to the Government Printing Office.

"This (nomination of Mukasey) does not change the senator's recommendation to the White House for the U.S. attorney position in Nevada," Ensign spokesman Don Tatro said.

The new Nevada chief prosecutor would succeed Daniel Bogden, who was one of eight U.S. attorneys fired in a controversial move that led to the resignation of former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales.

After saying he would fight any effort by the White House to nominate former U.S. Solicitor General Ted Olson, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said he was glad Bush "listened to Congress and put aside his plan to replace Alberto Gonzales with another partisan (Bush) administration insider."

"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," Reid said of Mukasey, a former federal judge in New York.

Reid acknowledged Mukasey "has strong professional credentials and a reputation for independence."

But Reid stopped short of endorsing Mukasey, saying the Judiciary Committee "must carefully examine Judge Mukasey's views on the complex legal challenges facing the nation."