Homeland Security

DATE=2-3-05

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=CONGRESS / ATTORNEY GENERAL (L-O)

NUMBER=2-322277 (CQ)

BYLINE=DEBORAH TATE

DATELINE=CAPITOL HILL

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

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HEADLINE: US Senate confirms Alberto Gonzales as attorney general

INTRO: The U.S. Senate has confirmed White House lawyer Alberto Gonzales to be the first Hispanic attorney general. The vote came despite Democrats' criticism that Judge Gonzales played a key role in shaping a policy that they say led to the abuse of foreign detainees. Correspondent Deborah Tate reports from Capitol Hill.

TEXT: Confirmation of Judge Gonzales was never in doubt because Republicans are in the majority in the Senate.

But the 60 to 36 vote reflected Democrats' concerns about Judge Gonzales and his role in helping craft interrogation policies that they say contributed to the abuse of prisoners in Iraq, Afghanistan and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

All those who voted against the nominee were Democrats, including Senator Ted Kennedy of Massachusetts:

/// KENNEDY ACTUALITY ///

Mr. Gonzales was at the heart of the Bush administration's notorious decision to authorize our forces to commit flagrant acts of torture, in the interrogations of detainees in Afghanistan, Guantanamo and Abu Ghraib (prison in Iraq). The war room in the White House became the torture room.

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Senator Carl Levin of Michigan says Judge Gonzales' efforts have had a far-reaching negative impact.

/// LEVIN ACTUALITY ///

Of immense significance, this legal framework endangered American troops by making them more vulnerable to like treatment. Prisoner abuse in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere has deepened the anger and resentment that some feel toward our country, and has given a propaganda club to our enemies.

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But Republicans argue Judge Gonzales never endorsed torture, and that cases of prisoner abuse were the work of a few U.S. soldiers who will be held accountable for their actions.

Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky:

/// McCONNELL ACTUALITY ///

Let me be clear: Judge Gonzales, President Bush, the administration, have never supported torture, or inhumane treatment of terrorist prisoners, never. To suggest that is absurd on its face. Anyone who tries to tie Judge Gonzales to the depraved acts of a few twisted renegades ought to be ashamed.

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Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist of Tennessee says Judge Gonzales is highly qualified to be attorney general.

/// FRIST ACTUALITY ///

Judge Gonzales is a man of keen intellect, high achievement, and unwavering respect for the law.

/// END ACT ///

Some Republicans accused the Democrats of trying to tarnish Judge Gonzales' record in an effort to undermine his chances of being nominated to fill a vacancy on the U.S. Supreme Court in the future. (signed)

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