Leahy expects Bush nominee Mukasey to be confirmed

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Source: reuters

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee said on Tuesday he expects retired judge Michael Mukasey to be confirmed as U.S. attorney general, succeeding Alberto Gonzales who resigned under pressure.

On the eve of the Mukasey's confirmation hearing before Chairman Patrick Leahy's panel, the senator also said he believes Mukasey, unlike Gonzales, would be independent of the White House.

"There are still some within the administration that want the Department of Justice just to be a political arm of the White House," Leahy said.

"I want that to change. I think he can change it," Leahy, a Vermont Democrat, told reporters after a private meeting with the former federal judge.

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUSN1618775820071016