Wisconsin's Democratic Sens. Russ Feingold and Herb Kohl voted against Alberto Gonzales, President Bush's nominee for attorney general, but it was not enough to prevent his passage through the Senate Judiciary Committee Wednesday.
Gonzales squeaked through on a 10-8 party-line vote. He still must be confirmed by the Senate, where Republicans hold a 55-44 advantage.
Gonzales has been widely criticized for authoring a memo during his time as White House counsel that argued the Geneva Convention protections for prisoners of war do not apply to suspected terrorists.
It was an interesting vote for Feingold, who has traditionally deferred to the president for cabinet decisions.
\The attorney general of the United States is the nation's chief law enforcement officer,"" Feingold said in committee. ""The holder of that office must have an abiding respect for the rule of law ... Mr. Gonzales' performance as White House counsel, his appearance before this committee and his responses to our questions, have given me grave doubts about whether he meets that test.""
Feingold added he believes Gonzales treats laws as obstacles to be dodged when they impede Bush's policies.
The Senate is not expected to take up Gonzales' confirmation until next week at the earliest.
-Michael Worringer
