Michael B. Mukasey, the next Attorney General

"I'm encouraged by the answers."

That's what Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Pat Leahy told reporters after Mukasey's confirmation hearing. It's obvious why.

Mukasey refused to forcefully defend eavesdropping on terrorists and pacified the pacifist left who believe we should be fighting the war on terror with High Tea manners and ACLU fund-raisers.

"I am not familiar with that program," he said when asked about the Terrorist Surveillance Program.

He's not familiar with the program? How is that possible? It's been maliciously attacked by Democrats without access to classified information, and the President's Attorney General nominee has nothing to say about it?

"Excuse me, Mr. Terrorist, sir, and even though you don't wear a uniform, are obsessed with crashing planes into our buildings here in the United States, kill civilians, and cut off heads with a dull knife in your spare time, could you pretty-please-with-sugar-on-top answer a few of our questions if you don't mind?"

That's how Mukasey delivered his opinion about our terrorist tracking and interrogation methods to Sen. Leahy, without speaking the words. It's why the Senator will vote to confirm him, along with with a near-unanimous Senate.

The Catcher of the Phony

Phony of the Week: Senator Hillary Clinton.

Last night in Washington, D.C. she said:

"I'm not interested in attacking anyone. I'm interested in attacking the problems of our country and solving those problems and working together . . .

"I've obviously gotten used to being attacked myself, and I don't mind being attacked."

She "isn't interested in attacking anyone." General David Petraeus would disagree. And she doesn't "mind being attacked." Right. We believe you, Senator.

How To Annoy Chichester VII

By going to the cliche playbook and referring to Social Security as the "third rail" while doing nothing about it.

Rep. Dan Burton in The Hill today laughing uproariously:

"After laughing uproariously at a question about whether it is political [sic] risky to discuss cutting Social Security benefits, Rep. Dan Burton (R-Ind.), a Thompson supporter, said: 'What do you think? Take a wild guess.'

“'Social Security has always been known as the third rail in politics; you don’t touch it,' he added."

A profile in courage.

The Daily Chichester

Michael B. Mukasey groveling before the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Obama the latest candidate to participate in the joke teller primary.

Governor Richard Milhouse Spitzer adding Schenectady to his enemies list.

The Governor-Infant has cost New Yorker's $1.5 million in trying to destroy the career of Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno.