Michael Mukasey: An Ability To Communicate?

Pejman Yousefzadeh, a thoughtful writer who posts on the conservative site Red State, has looked at a Wall Street Journal op-ed piece that Attorney General nominee Michael Mukasey’ wrote four years ago on the Patriot Act and likes what he sees.

His post should be read in full, but here’s his conclusion:

Quite clearly, the challenge of combating terrorism is going to bedevil Attorneys General for years–if not decades–to come. Mukasey appears to be well-prepared to answer the challenge and he seems to have a gift at taking on controversial issues in a straightforward, no-nonsense way. I think that he will do wonders for the national discourse on this and other issues. He certainly appears to have the talent and dedication to do so.

Mukasey seems to be scoring points with many Republicans and Democrats. But part of each party’s base aren’t happy with the nomination — the most progressive of the progressives and the most conservative of the conservatives. Some in these factions want a fight. But right now it appears that Mukasey is close to the kind of consensus choice that many in both parties had hoped President George Bush would make.

It would be refreshing if Mukasey turned out to be a no-nonsense type — someone with whom many Americans could disagree and perhaps disagree a lot, but respect. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates seems to have evolved into that kind of figure. And if Mukasey turns out the same way, it will likely help boost the Justice Department’s sagging morale…and reputation.